Best Beauty School Programs in Utah

Utah licensing requirements for cosmetologists include:

• Graduate from cosmetology/barbering school with a minimum of 1,600 hours of training completed.
• Pass both cosmetology licensing tests, including the written exam as well as the test of learned skills administered by the State of Utah.
• Submit an application for cosmetology licensing through the state of Utah.
  Pay the required licensing fee.

The majority of cosmetology school students are women between the ages 18 and 30. Many students are men who want to become cosmetologists or barbers. Students enroll in cosmetology courses because:

• Career — Most students are interested in a career in professional beauty care services.
• Advancement — They want to graduate and go to work in a professional salon as soon as possible.
• Affordability — They want an advanced education, without having to pay a large amount out-of-pocket.
• Compensation— Graduates can expect to earn $8 - $50/hour plus commissions of 40% - 60% depending on work environment.

The admission requirements for cosmetology school include the following:

• Must be at least 16 of age
• High school diploma or GED
• Complete pre-enrollment interview
• Submit application form and pay $50 fee
• Submit copy of driver’s license, birth certificate, or state issues ID

NOTE: Students may be admitted prior to high school graduation, but only with agreement from the school district to permit the training to begin.

Here are some of the basic questions you should ask before committing to attend a cosmetology school. For complete information about requirements and enrollment, download our free brochure.

• Which school is best for my learning needs? American Beauty Academy is an accredited cosmetology and barbering school. We're a small school, which allows us to know each of our students and better understand your particular style of learning and academic needs.

• Will I get hands-on experience while I'm in training at the school? We provide our students with an abundance of opportunities to work with real clients each week during training in our professional-level student salon. The salon provides salon services to the public at affordable pricing, enabling our students to receive plenty of experience working in a real salon.

• How flexible is the training schedule? During the freshman class, course work is more structured. After the initial courses, students have the flexibility to arrange their school schedule however it fits best into their lives.

• Are professional tools provided to students? You should expect that your beauty training school provides tools that will last long into your cosmetology career. At American Beauty Academy, we select only high-quality cosmetology tools for our student kits.

• Will I get frequent feedback on my progress? To receive a strong education, students must receive consistent and clear guidance. We prioritize makings sure all students know where they are in their progress and that instructors are working closely with each one to help them succeed.

• What are the schools graduate success rates in state testing and job placement? Our rate of students' passing the Utah state cosmetology board exam is 100 percent. Due to our strong reputation in cosmetology training, many of our students are offered jobs before graduating.

• What's the environment like for students in the school? School should be remembered as a good, positive experience. Our students and instructors are very friendly and welcoming, which makes a very supportive and uplifting atmosphere for everyone at our school.

Tuition costs at the American Beauty Academy for any program requires a $50 non-refundable application fee. See the American Beauty Academy course catalog for more complete details about tuition costs.

• Tuition at Salt Lake campus — $15,000. Add $2500 for the cosmetology Student Tools Kit

• Tuition at Payson campus — $15,000. Add $1700 for the cosmetology Student Tools Kit

See financial aid information and other payment plans available to students of American Beauty Academy.

According to research published by the National Institutes of Health (2013), additional studies are necessary in order to understand the potential reproductive risks for pregnant women working as cosmetologists. Cosmetologists may be at increased exposure to reproductive risks from potentially toxic agents in nail polishes and hair dyes. This information can be interpreted to apply to female students practicing while learning cosmetology skills in salons on beauty school campuses.

The research findings suggest that there is minimal systematic exposure for cosmetologists to these potentially toxic agents, nevertheless, the NIH does recommend that hairdressers use gloves to limit exposure.

Other NIH health recommendations for cosmetologists include avoiding standing for extended time periods without resting and limiting total work hours to 35 per week.

See the Utah Department of Commerce, Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing website page on Criminal History Guidelines for Cosmetology. The page provides a basic chart to illustrate the Department's decision-making process for determining licensing decisions.

The process can range from simply proceeding with the application, to requiring management or board review, to the prohibition of licensure. The Department emphasizes that each applicant is considered individually, based on several factors. Seek advice from your attorney for complete information about your rights.

All cosmetology students must receive complete the program coursework for all four subsections of cosmetology studies (Cosmetology, Hair, Esthetics, and Nails), in order to fulfill the requirement for 1,600 hours of training as needed to qualify for cosmetology licensing in Utah.

The barbering training is a separate program from the cosmetology program. In fact, while you can take either or both cosmetology and barbering at our Salt Lake City campus, our Payson location is for cosmetology training only. There is no barbering training offered at the Payson campus.

Yes, you do not need to worry about how to pay for your education in cosmetology. Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to find out which financial aid is available for your needs. Applying for a grant by filling out the FAFSA opens up the widest and most accessible range of grants and student loans available.

For more information on financing, contact your American Beauty Academy advisor at the Salt Lake Valley campus (385) 377-7366, or at the Payson, Utah campus (801) 592-2445

Here are the various kinds of financial aid available to cosmetology school students. For more thoroughly detailed information on these forms of financial aid, seefinancial resources for cosmetology students

• Pell Grant — All cosmetology school students should consider applying for the federal Pell Grant. This grant is available based on financial need, regardless of grades. The grant is available to all US citizens or non-citizens who qualify. You are required to enroll in a full-time or part-time course of study that can result in earning a degree or a professional certificate. The grant amount for 2020-2021 is expected to remain at $6,195. Click here to access the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

• Beauty Academy— is an approved provider of vocational training provider in the state of Utah.

• Student Loans — The Career Training Smart Option Student Loan makes subsidized and unsubsidized funding available through the Sallie Mae federal financing agency. This student financing program may fund as much as 100 percent of your cosmetology school cost.

• Scholarships — In addition to need-based financial aid, numerous scholarship opportunities are available to some students, based on merit. Students and applicants who demonstrate strong potential for success as cosmetologists may qualify for scholarships to help pay the cost of tuition.

• VA Benefits— Due to changes in this federal program, the VA may not pay your tuition for cosmetology school. Use the online GI Bill Comparison Tool to enter information about your military service and your school of choice, to find out the exact amount of your potential VA benefits for attending the school.