In search of the perfect beauty school for your lifestyle in Arizona? We have plenty of choices! We’ve rounded up the top ten beauty schools and have even done the research to give you overviews, advantages, career prospects, and the average cost for each school.
Paul Mitchell The School Phoenix
Overview
Students are called Future Professionals at Paul Mitchell The School. Here they are prepared for successful careers in the beauty industry as licensed cosmetologists. A three level cosmetology program, which breaks down into CORE, ADAPTIVE, AND CREATIVE, takes students from the introductory stages to hands-on learning in a salon to a focus on preparing students for the real professional world.
Because of this three-level program, each Future Professional is completely prepared for exams and for life in the professional world. Students are also able to reach their own personal goals through the system.
Advantages
Students can choose to take part in an intensive study program called PHASE TWO. It challenges Future Professionals to their highest performance level. Conditions that mimic salon reality are combined with advanced cosmetology training. Students are truly prepared for the future after going through this program.
Students receive a kit of cosmetology essentials and an iPad when they begin classes. These tools serve them well, especially when they move into hands-on training.
Career Prospects
Students are ready for professional life after completing the three-level cosmetology program and additional PHASE TWO program. It only makes sense that current students and graduates will have successful careers as makeup artists and hairstylists; many alumni of Paul Mitchell The School have had extremely successful careers.
Average Cost
The cost for the cosmetology program is $18,925 with an added $3000 for supplies.
Empire Beauty School
Overview
At the Empire Beauty School, a rare combination of advantages advances graduates’ careers. Classes are taught by licensed and trained beauty educators who made learning fun and interactive.
When it comes to beauty education, Empire Beauty School has over 80 years of experience. The school is accredited and federal financial aid is available. Mannequins, textbooks, and special tools are used in the school’s unique CLIC program to enhance learning.
Cosmetology programs include makeup, business and retail training, basic skin care, hair cutting, color and texture,and hair design. This versatile program prepares students for many different areas of work.
Advantages
Students are able to work on real clients in the Empire Beauty School student salon. Students are also prepared for board exams with the help of the staff. Opportunities to participate in local events benefiting the community are available; these also contribute to real-world training.
Students are able to build their business through positive word of mouth while still attending schools. They’re also able to develop communication and marketing skills to attract loyal salon clients.
Career Prospects
Students are able to network and build up clientele as they work in the student salon. Additionally, Empire Beauty School supports and aid students in their job search, both while they’re attending school and after graduation.
The Studio Academy of Beauty
Overview
Students get to use products from brands such as Redken, CHI, and Design Essentials. Live demonstrations from International Creative Artists are used in class to teach the latest makeup, cutting, and styling techniques used all around the world.
Advantages
Class start dates are monthly, so prospective students don’t have to wait to start their education. Day and evening classes are offered for schedule flexibility. A kit, textbooks, and a professional makeup kit are all included in the materials students receive after signing up for classes.
Career Prospects
The school has a signature Big (Business Intelligence Growth) and Bold class that focuses on leadership, effective management, financial management, marketing, salon business projects, conflict resolution, problem solving, and communication.
After completing the program, The Studio Academy of Beauty mentions several different job choices: stylist, platform artist, esthetician, makeup artist, business owner, educator, fashion consultant, product specialist and sales, spa/salon manager, spa/salon owner, brow artist, and designer.
Average Cost
The total cost for the cosmetology program and supplies is $18,690.
Aveda Institute Phoenix
Overview
The Aveda Institute Phoenix employs exceptional instructors, boasts of an exclusive curriculum, and has a sustainable and successful network of salon professionals in the industry.
An important goal for each student at the school is to cultivate their own unique talents while also mastering technical skills. The Aveda Institute Phoenix strives to build up its students as individuals and as professionals.
Aveda has raised over $1 million for various charities with a particular focus on the environment. Giving back to the community is one of Aveda’s passions.
Advantages
Students are able to experience the typical salon environment while still in school. They get to work in trendy neighborhoods with a diverse clientele, which prepares them for professional life after graduation.
Career paths available to students and graduates are vast and varied. For example, if one student enjoyed the salon environment, she would receive hands-on experience in that industry. If another student particularly liked fashion, she could work on runway shows through Aveda’s impressive network.
Career Prospects
When it comes to the 6500 salons in the nation, Aveda’s wide network in the industry leads to great employment opportunities.
Average Cost
The cosmetology program costs $22,975 along with an additional $2400 for books and supplies.
Avalon School of Cosmetology
Overview
At Avalon School of Cosmetology, each student and their career are the #1 priority. Classrooms and class sizes are small to provide students with individual attention, which aids them in becoming the best stylists and practitioners in the country.
Advantages
Students are taught to unleash their creativity through the latest techniques and trends in the beauty industry. However, Avalon knows that there’s more to being successful than having a wealth of technical knowledge. In fact 85% of student success depends on business, personal, and marketing skills. For this reason, Avalon features nationally recognized salon and spa training in order to teach future professionals how to manage a fulfilling, profitable, and growing business.
Career Prospects
Many Avalon graduates report finding jobs in the beauty industry directly after graduation. These jobs can include being a hairstylist, makeup artist, manicurist, hair color specialist, haircutting specialist, beauty sales representative, salon manager/owner, beauty educator, and a beauty consultant.
Avalon reports that they don’t just teach their students how to get a job; they are also trained in starting, owning, and managing a beauty-related business.
Average Cost
The total cost for the cosmetology program (including supplies) is $20,235.
Penrose Academy
Overview
At Penrose, the #1 goal is student success, specifically as a highly-marketable and sought-after beauty industry professional. They’re dedicated to preparing students for a career they’ll love. They do this by providing students with a comprehensive, unique, and empowering educational experience.
Penrose is a privately-owned academy with one goal: connecting students to successful careers in the beauty industry. The academy does not own and is not affiliated with any salons, spas, or product lines.
Advantages
Along with technical skills, Penrose values a healthy understanding of business, marketing, and industry insights. This gives students the foundation they need not just to succeed, but to excel. The professional development and life skills training curriculum includes a variety of topics, including the “8 R’s of business,” Penrose Progress, leadership skills, portfolio development, cultural awareness, public speaking, communication skills, financial awareness, and even more.
Career Prospects
Students frequently style hair and makeup for a variety of professional events, giving them an opportunity to network and build clientele. They can even work editorial events and shows as well as study abroad, all of which contribute to a great portfolio.
Average Cost
$19,600 is the total cost including supplies.
Charles of Italy Beauty College
Overview
The mission of Charles of Italy Beauty College is to provide professional cosmetology education that meets the current demands of the beauty industry. The college also aims to prepare its graduates to enter their chosen career with the tools necessary to be successful.
Due to the growing demand for well-trained professionals, Charles of Italy Beauty College offers a variety of instructional programs which lead to a variety of career options. All program are taught by combining practical clinical experience with classroom theory.
Advantages
The cosmetology program is offered in an environment that closely approximates the working environment graduates may encounter after completion of the program. This prepares students for the professional world.
Career Prospects
Students will be prepared for any career in the beauty industry after the completion of this program. They will leave with a clientele they’ve built up through their hours of training as well as the technical knowledge needed to succeed.
Average Cost
The total cost for the cosmetology program is $15,000.
Carsten Institute
Overview
In this comprehensive program, students explore techniques and styles in hair cutting, styling, and makeup. A foundation of theoretical knowledge leads to practicing and perfecting techniques, as well as learning professional business-building skills. Upon completion of the program, students will be prepared for a career in the beauty industry.
Advantages
Students can choose between day and night classes as well as full-time versus part-time, giving them the flexibility they need. The institute is endorsed by Loreal and uses the French haircutting technique for maximum success.
The institute supports progressive educational and fashion presentations for industry professionals. Performances, lectures, and seminars on industry topics are all held in the facility. In addition, Career Days and Student Shows add to the learning experience and make it even more fun.
Career Prospects
As a Carsten Institute of Cosmetology graduate, students are able to build their foundation sufficiently to enter the field of hair stylist, makeup artist, platform artist, salon owner, skin care specialist, studio hairdresser, or educator.
Average Cost
$19,000 is the total cost for the cosmetology program, including supplies.
Eastern Arizona Academy of Cosmetology
Overview
The school was founded in 2005 and has a convenient downtown location. It was created in a unique partnership with Eastern Arizona College to allow students to receive college credits to continue their educator toward other degrees. It is a state-of-the-art facility that uses the most modern educational technology available.
Advantages
7 professional instructors and over 100 years of combined experience make the one-on-one instruction top-notch. In addition to the usual team of instructors, cosmetology professionals from around the country perform training on site.
Since the school only has a 100 student capacity, each student can rest assured knowing that their success as a student and later on as a graduate is a top priority. They even get to travel to multiple hair shows within the state!
Career Prospects
The clinic floor open to the public allows students to interact with clients similar to a real salon. Retail sales training opens up opportunities for a variety of careers. In addition, student hair shows performed for salon owners give students a chance to network with potential future employers.
All Beauty College
Overview
The All Beauty College’s missions is to provide the highest degree of cosmetology training for its students. Units of instruction in the cosmetology program are vast and varied. These include, but are definitely not limited to, theory of cosmetology, hair styling, hair shaping, facials and makeup, ethics and management, and entering the workforce.
Advantages
Instruction is given in a structured environment that caters to each individual’s needs. Instructors give individual as well as group instruction to adequately teach the methods and techniques learned in class. This combination of one-on-one and group training enables students to reach their personal career goals. Additionally, a focus is put on preparation for the state test.
Career Prospects
Students will be provided with the skills and knowledge necessary to pursue a fulfilling and successful career. The school will prepare the student to perform in a professional environment by enforcing discipline, moral values, and teaching the joy of achievement and quality performance. The students will be prepared for entry in their preferred area of study. With this mind, the college continually reviews the teaching and skills required by employers and adjusts them for optimal effectiveness.
Average Cost
The total cost for the cosmetology program is $15,500.