Enrolling in beauty school is a big time and resource commitment. It’s important to choose a beauty school that will give you the proper training you need to launch your career.
There are probably several beauty schools in your area, so selecting one will take some research.
When exploring your options in the realm of cosmetology education, it's crucial to know the right questions to pose to prospective schools. But, what are the questions you should ask when assessing cosmetology schools?
We made a handy checklist for you to use when evaluating potential beauty schools.
1. Is the School Accredited?
To earn accreditation, a school must pass a certain set of standards of performance, evaluated by third-party accrediting agencies. Credits from regionally accredited schools may be transferred to almost any other college. For California, Hawaii, and the Pacific territories, the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) is the major accrediting organization.
Beauty schools are not required to be accredited, so it is important to find out if your prospective cosmetology school is accredited. An accredited school will have a more robust curriculum and be eligible for federal student loans. Non-accredited schools are not eligible for federal student loans.
2. What Courses are Offered in the Program? What Skills Will You Learn?
It’s important to understand what the curriculum will be at each beauty school. Each program may have emphasis on slightly different skills. At Paul Mitchell the School at Campus, these are the skills cosmetology students will learn.
- Hair cutting
- Hair coloring
- Hair styling
- Nail care
- Manicures
- Skin care
- General cosmetology
3. What are the Methods of Teaching the Curriculum?
Most beauty schools will have a mix of theoretical and practical education. It’s good to find out how much practice of cosmetology applications you will encounter in the program. Does the program have guest instructors? Find out how your training will be divided up over the course of the program.
4. Will Students Get to Practice Skills on Real People?
Cosmetology students begin their hair styling training by using mannequin heads, but getting practice in on real people is where you will learn how to apply practical knowledge. Getting hands-on experience at the salon floor will help provide the much-needed practice that beauty students require. By getting real-world experiences with hair cutting, hair coloring, hair styling, and nail care, cosmetology students can hone their skills with real customers.
5. What are the Enrollment Requirements?
Some beauty schools may have different enrollment requirements depending on the state or region. In California, you only need a high school diploma or equivalent to enroll in beauty school.
6. How Long Until I Graduate?
Understanding the timeline to completion is vital, so inquire about the expected duration of the program at each cosmetology institution you're considering. Each state has its own requirements for how long it takes to become a licensed cosmetologist. In California, it takes 1000 hours of training from an approved beauty school, and then students can take the certification exam.
Most cosmetology schools have programs that are somewhere between six months and twelve months to complete. Paul Mitchell the School at Campus, in Sacramento, takes about 30 weeks to complete the Cosmetology program.
7. What’s Included in the Student Kit?
Knowing what tools and resources are provided can significantly impact your learning experience, so don't hesitate to ask about the contents of the student kit when evaluating cosmetology schools. Each cosmetology school may offer different items in their student kit. This is what is included in the cosmetology student kit at Paul Mitchell the School at Campus.
- Mannequin heads
- Combs
- Brushes
- Hot Styling Tools
- Shears
- Clips
- Apron
- Drapes
- iPad with 2-year Apple care insurance
- Paul Mitchell App Codes and Learning Package
- Color Tint Brush
- Makeup Brush Kit
- Acrylic Nail Brush with Practice Hand and Dappen Dishes
- Reading Material
8. How Much Does Tuition Cost?
The financial aspect is a key consideration, thus inquiring about tuition fees is essential when comparing different cosmetology programs. Cosmetology school can be a significant investment. The more prestigious the school and the better the training, the more it may cost. Tuition is an important factor to consider when selecting a beauty school.
Note: Paul Mitchell the School at Campus, formerly known as MTI College, for the Cosmetology program, currently costs $14,000 for tuition, and $3,279 for books and supplies (as of June 2023).
9. Is There Financial Aid Available?
Investigating the availability of financial assistance options can make pursuing your cosmetology education more feasible, so be sure to ask about financial aid opportunities at each school. Most beauty schools and junior colleges offer financial aid, including grants and loans, which can help you pay for the cost of cosmetology training.
10. How Do You Prepare Students for State Board Exam?
Understanding how each school prepares its students for licensure exams is paramount, so be sure to inquire about the exam preparation strategies employed by cosmetology institutions. An important question to ask is how the school prepares students for the State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology Exam. Do they make sure you will know everything that will be included in the exam? Ask them respective beauty schools for their Licensure Rate to compare success rates.
11. What is Your Job Placement Rate? Do You Offer Career Services?
Ensuring that your investment in cosmetology education leads to meaningful employment requires asking about job placement rates and available career services at each prospective school. The biggest challenge after graduating beauty school is finding job opportunities and putting your cosmetology license to good use. Some schools offer career services or can help students find a job after graduation.
Job placement rate is a statistic that colleges, vocational schools, and junior colleges are required to post on their website or provide accurate information to students.
The job placement rate is the percentage of students finding work in their field of study after graduation. This represents the number of graduates that find meaningful work after completing cosmetology training. Also make sure that you find the Graduation Rate for each of the schools for which you are considering enrolling.
Interested in World-Class Beauty School Training in Sacramento?
If you're seeking comprehensive cosmetology training in Sacramento, considering the right questions to ask about each prospective institution can lead you to top-notch education at Paul Mitchell the School at Campus. You’ll learn all about hair styling, hair coloring, skin care, and nail care. Our experienced instructors will help you get the practical training you need to become a licensed cosmetologist and start an exciting career. Classes start at various times throughout the year. We partner with Paul Mitchell the School to bring students a thorough cosmetology training program. You can learn more by requesting information from our cosmetology faculty.