Maybe you've decided that after graduation working in the cosmetology field is the career you see yourself thriving in. Hairstylists and makeup artists are usually drawn to or express specific talents that allow them to become successful in their careers. So if doing hair and makeup has always come naturally to you, choosing to attend cosmetology school after graduating high school may feel like the obvious choice. But as you begin listening to friends talk about leaving for college and choosing their major, you may start having second thoughts about enrolling in beauty school.
Or, maybe you're just beginning to research all of the options available so you can make the most educated and best decision on whether cosmetology school is actually right for you. Regardless of where you are in the process, you've come to the right place because you are about to learn everything you want and need to know about getting into and successfully graduating cosmetology school!
First, let's dive in by talking about exactly what cosmetology means. If you're curious about working in the beauty industry, you might be wondering, why should I choose to study cosmetology? What exactly do cosmetologists do? Let's start with the basics.
Cosmetology education focuses on hair, skin, and nails. Cosmetology students learn how to beautify hair, skin, and nails. But you also learn:
This means that once you are a licensed cosmetologist, you can provide an extensive list of services in the beauty industry or choose to focus on one option as your specialty. For most of our cosmetology students, the emphasis is on the hair! If you're passionate about one (or all!) of these areas, cosmetology school may be the right choice for you.
As you decide whether to go to a beauty school or a four-year college, here are a few questions you should ask yourself:
Is Cosmetology Something I Am Passionate About?
Studying a subject you enjoy or are really passionate about learning means that you are more likely to feel excitement and engagement with your classwork and exams. You're less likely to feel bored and may even find that you actually look forward to going to class when you're doing something you love. That same theory applies after graduation. We all know the saying "do what you love and you'll never work a day in your life". And it's totally true.
We encourage you to spend time thinking about what you are genuinely passionate about before deciding between cosmetology school or a four-year university or college.
What Are My Job Options?
Depending on where you live may determine how many options you have after becoming a licensed cosmetologist. Larger cities generally have greater demand for cosmetologists. In smaller towns, cosmetology career options may not be as readily available. It's important to understand career options in your area. Be sure to contact the cosmetology school or college advisors you're interested in attending and ask questions about what career options are available in your area before deciding to enroll. This could be a major factor in your decision.
How Long Until I Graduate?
On average, a college Associates degree takes about 2 years and 4 years for a Bachelor's degree. At Jean Madeline, cosmetology students can graduate in as little as 10 months. Some students who are passionate about cosmetology attend beauty school so they can enter the workforce and begin their career quickly and use those funds to pay for a 4-year university.
Tuition Comparison
Tuition costs may also be the main factor in your decision. In most cases, it costs much less to attend cosmetology school versus a four-year university or college because the skills you learn are more specialized and the programs take less time. The good news is that you can apply for federal aid to pay help for your cosmetology school education, just like you would for a traditional college. Learn more about our financial aid resources.
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