Paying for Cosmetology or Esthetician School

Looking good comes with a cost. Just ask a cosmetologist. The average price of beauty school ranges from about $8,000 to just over $21,000 a year.

A career in cosmetology can be rewarding. You get a creative outlet and a chance to help others look their best. It also offers flexibility for a good work–life balance. But the licensing process can add up.

Cosmetology and esthetics programs are offered through community, technical, and vocational colleges — accredited institutions that qualify for financial aid. Accreditation broadens the range of financial aid options. Prospective students can consider interest-free loans or payment plans, financial aid from schools, scholarships, grants, and government or private-entity loans. Let’s explore some detailed information on the types of financial aid that pay for cosmetology school.

Esthetician vs Cosmetology School

Esthetician licenses focus on skincare treatment, recommendations, and analysis. Treatments include facials, massages, and waxing. With this license, you can work at spas, salons, or doctors’ offices, such as plastic surgeons or dermatologists.

Cosmetology covers the creative styling of hair, skin, and nails but also provides basic training in treatments. Students can get an esthetician license through a cosmetology program. A career in cosmetology can lead to work as a makeup artist, hair stylist, or manicurist. License holders typically work in salons, spas, the entertainment industry, and hotels or resorts. The table below outlines some of the differences between an esthetics license and a cosmetology license.

Field	Esthetics License	Cosmetology License
Average School Tuition	$7,433 (average of top ten U.S. schools)	$16,251
Subjects	Techniques and science behind skin care treatments. Specific subjects include skin anatomy, facial and makeup techniques, hair removal, and medical office esthetics.	Hair, skin, nail care, and styling. Specific subjects include skin anatomy, makeup, and haircutting.
2024 Median Salary	$41,560/year	$35,420/year
Job Growth 2024-34	7% (Much faster than U.S. average)	5% (Faster than U.S. average)
Types of Jobs	Skin care specialist (esthetician), makeup artist	Hair Stylist, barber, cosmetologist

Be sure that your school is state-approved. You can search for schools through your local government’s licensing process. It’s also helpful to know whether your certificate is transferable to other states and which states accept it. This way, your time and resources aren’t lost.

Below are organizations that can help you find accredited and state-approved programs:

•   Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC)

•   Accrediting Council for Continued Education & Training (ACCET)

•   Council on Occupational Education (COE)

•   National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences (NACCAS)

Typical Cost of Beauty Schools

Beauty school programs are generally more affordable than the average four-year program. According to the College Board’s Annual Trends in College Pricing report, during the 2025-2026 school year, the average cost of tuition at a four-year nonprofit institution was $45,000. Cosmetology students, in contrast, can expect to pay around $16,251 to complete a degree in their field. However, the median graduate is also repaying about $10,000 to $14,000 in student loan debt.

Esthetician School

Requirements for esthetics licenses vary by state. Students can expect to complete 600 to 1,500 hours, depending on state program requirements. Most states require students to pass a state-issued exam to obtain a license upon completing a program. For example, Washington requires students to complete a program of not less than 750 hours and to fill out a license application.

Students can also specialize in esthetics as part of their overall cosmetology program.

Cosmetology School

Each state requires a cosmetology license to practice. While requirements differ, most states require three things: you must meet the minimum age, hold a high school diploma or GED, and have completed a state-licensed cosmetology program.
Some states also require an exam to obtain a license, and some require regular license renewals.

While states can issue a license that covers all cosmetology specialties, some require separate licenses in specializations such as barbering or manicuring.

Programs range anywhere from 1,000 to 2,300 hours across states and usually include retail and business admin training to supplement. Specializing in a field, such as nail care, requires additional hours. Finally, programs are hands-on — meaning students have limited online options.

The National Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology has a registry of state offices you can use to learn your state’s requirements. ​​

Possible Funding Source #1: FAFSA®

Does the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) program pay for cosmetology school? Yes! However, students who apply must be enrolled in an accredited program to be eligible.

The first step to applying for government financial aid is filling out the FAFSA form. New forms are released each year on October 1, and the sooner you complete one, the more likely federal grants will be available.

Information provided on the FAFSA helps to determine your eligibility for federal student aid. The government, states, and colleges also use it to determine the amount of financial aid to award you. The schools you list on your form will review your FAFSA and put together an aid offer. If your school’s financial aid does not cover the entire cost of tuition, you can use FAFSA to apply for federal grants and student loans.

If you’re unfamiliar with setting up FAFSA, this FAFSA guide provides an overview of the form and the aid options available. Here’s a brief explanation of some of the aid types that may be available to students.

Pell Grants

The government awards Pell Grants to students from lower-income families who have not previously earned a degree. Unlike loans, they don’t need to be repaid.

The Pell Grant’s 2025-26 award year maximum is $7,395, and students may be eligible for up to twelve terms. The amount is determined by the following:

•   Expected Family Contribution (EFC), or the amount your family can pay

•   Cost of Attendance (COA), finalized in your school offer letter

•   Full-time or part-time status as a student

•   Length of your school’s academic year

Schools will disburse the federal grant to you directly, apply it to your tuition, or both. To receive Pell Grants, students must stay enrolled in their respective program of study and fill out the FAFSA form each year.

Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans

The Department of Education also offers Direct Loans. Cosmetology students may be eligible for either subsidized or unsubsidized loans. The government pays for the interest rate of subsidized loans as long as you’re enrolled in a program, for the first six months after leaving school, and during qualifying deferment periods. Interest rates for unsubsidized loans are not covered. Subsidized loans are awarded based on financial need, while unsubsidized loans are not.

Applying for a federal loan offers these key advantages:

•   Low fixed interest rates

•   Flexible repayment plans

•   Possibility of forgiven loans

•   Deferment and forbearance options

Parent PLUS Loans

PLUS loans are available to parents of undergraduate students, graduate students, or professional students. They offer some of the advantages of federal Direct Loans, but offer higher borrowing limits.

Parents can also apply for Parent PLUS Loans on their children’s behalf. Unlike other federal student loans, these require a credit check and are not based on financial need.

Possible Funding Source #2: Scholarships

A good place to start your scholarship search is with your school. Its aid letter will outline scholarships awarded from its program. You can contact them to see if there are additional scholarships you can apply for at the school.

Professional associations also offer scholarships based on need or merit. The beauty industry associations below have lists of scholarships.

•   Professional Beauty Association

•   National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology

•   American Association of Cosmetology Schools

The U.S. Department of Labor also offers a free scholarship finder.

Finally, ethnicity-based groups, employers, or your parents’ employers may also offer tuition assistance and scholarships.

Possible Funding Source #3: Working Part Time

Since cosmetology programs are shorter, working part-time to help pay for college is feasible. Try getting work in your field as an assistant or in an office admin role. That way, you can learn while getting paid — and even get a foot in the door.

Studying and working is a fine balance, and it depends on how much time you can commit. If studying fills up most of your week, you may not be able to focus on studying for the career you hope to work in, and it may also hurt the scores you need to pass exams required to work in the industry.

You can also seek mentorship with working cosmetologists to get advice on how to do both.

Possible Funding Source #4: Private Student Loans

After exhausting all other avenues of aid, private student loans can help cover the remaining costs. Banks, credit unions, and online lenders offer private undergraduate student loans. They can be applied to a range of programs, including cosmetology school.

Lenders will perform a credit check to determine your interest rate and how much you are eligible for. Students who don’t have credit scores will need a cosigner, usually a parent. SoFi’s student loan payment calculator can help you determine what you can afford.

Recommended: Student Loans: A Refresher Course

Possible Funding Source #5: School-Specific Financial Aid

Financial aid availability depends on your school.

Aveda Institute Maryland, for example, offers the option of VA benefits and the GI Bill for those who qualify. Paul Mitchell Schools also offers three forms of military financial aid, including the My Career Advancement Account Scholarship Program for military spouses.

Delgado Community College in New Orleans provides financial assistance on a first-come, first-served basis. Students must complete a FAFSA form, an online scholarship form, and accept or decline their aid offer letter.

Possible Funding Source #6: School-Specific Payment Plans

College tuition payment plans are an option. Instead of paying tuition upfront at the beginning of the year, students pay tuition in installments.

Payment plans are an excellent alternative to taking out loans since plans are generally interest-free. Check with your school for eligibility requirements and enrollment period deadlines.

The Board of Cooperative Educational Services in Western Suffolk, Long Island, and Alexander Paul Institute of Hair Design offer no-interest payment plans.

Explore Private Student Loans With SoFi

Cosmetology and esthetician careers require state-approved schooling and licenses. These accredited programs are eligible for federal financial aid, and some schools offer additional aid. Zero-interest payment plans can be a huge help in paying for a program.

If you’ve exhausted all federal student aid options, no-fee private student loans from SoFi can help you pay for school. The online application process is easy, and you can see rates and terms in just minutes. Repayment plans are flexible, so you can find an option that works for your financial plan and budget.

Cover up to 100% of school-certified costs including tuition, books, supplies, room and board, and transportation with a private student loan from SoFi.

FAQ

Can FAFSA be used for beauty school?

Yes. States require students to participate in state-approved, accredited beauty schools to obtain a license. Students enrolled in post-secondary programs at accredited institutions qualify for financial aid.

Do you work and earn money while in cosmetology school?

Students typically cannot work in their field without a license, unless it’s an unrelated job in the industry. Find out if your school participates in the Federal Work-Study Program. These programs are available to part-time or full-time students with financial needs. Students will usually find jobs at their school or with private for-profit employers that have agreements with the school. The jobs are typically relevant to your field of study.

Are beauty schools accredited? How do you select a good program?

Yes, beauty schools can be accredited for post-secondary education. Always check that your program is accredited to avoid predatory schools with poor programming. Consider starting your search with state license departments. The National Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology has a directory of all 50 state centers.

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Photo credit: iStock/petrovv

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