Trying to decide whether beauty school is right for you? Price can play an important part in your consideration. If you often wonder, “how much is cosmetology school,” there’s good news: Cosmetology school is significantly more affordable than traditional college. In the U.S., the total price of attending a cosmetology school is usually between $15,000 and $20,000.

Want to know more? Keep reading to see a breakdown of average cosmetology school costs by state and learn tips on how to pay for school so you can make your beauty dreams a reality!

Table of contents

• How much is cosmetology school?
• Average cosmetology school prices by state
• How to pay for cosmetology school

How much is cosmetology school?

The average cost of attending cosmetology school in the U.S. is around $16,251. This includes the price of school tuition, student cosmetology kits and state licensing fees. While this number represents an overall average, the price of cosmetology school can vary depending on your program’s length and location.

Tuition and school fees

If you decide to go to cosmetology school, your largest cost will likely be your school’s tuition. Luckily, the price of attending cosmetology school is substantially less than attending a traditional college or university. In the U.S., the average cosmetology school tuition is around $14,480 — compare that to the U.S. average college tuition price of $63,780 for a four-year degree.

In addition to tuition, your school may also charge additional enrollment fees, like application fees. You can always ask a school advisor what fees you’ll need to pay before enrolling — during your school tour is a great time to ask!

Average cosmetology school tuition: $14,500

Cosmetology Kits

Ready to learn the ropes of haircutting, coloring and styling? To become a cosmetologist, you’ll need the proper tools. Most schools require students to purchase these tools in a cosmetology kit. In your kit, you can expect to find tools like:

• Cutting shears
• Blow dryer
• Curling iron
• Straightening iron
• Combs
• Brushes
• Clips
• Apron
• Capes
• Perm rods
• Mannequin heads

Your school may also provide physical textbooks as part of your kit. Or, some schools provide tablets with access to eLearning materials instead.

Average cosmetology kit cost: $1,693

Licensing fees

Your journey of becoming a cosmetologist doesn’t end once school’s over. After you finish your program, you must pass your state board’s licensing requirements. This usually consists of two exams:

• A written exam, where you’ll test your knowledge by answering questions, usually multiple choice.
• A practical exam, where you’ll show your skills hands-on with mannequins to a licensing board.

After passing your exams, you’ll need to pay any applicable licensing fees and — voila! Beauty industry, here you come.

Average U.S. cost: $58

Average cosmetology school prices by state

Curious about how much you can expect to pay for cosmetology school in your state? Here are the average costs by state.

School and licensing fees change regularly, so always check your state board’s website for the most current information. We last updated this post in April 2023.

Alabama

Average tuition and school fees: $11,990
Average cost of kit: $1,254
Licensing fee: $50
Total average cost: $13,294

Alaska

Average tuition and school fees: $6,375
Average cost of kit: $1,639
Licensing fee: $140
Total average cost: $8,154

Arizona

Average tuition and school fees: $14,106
Average cost of kit: $2,246
Licensing fee: $60
Total average cost: $16,412

Arkansas

Average tuition and school fees: $13,519
Average cost of kit: $1,715
Licensing fee: $50
Total average cost: $15,284

California

Average tuition and school fees: $17,249
Average cost of kit: $2,579
Licensing fee: $75
Total average cost: $19,903

Colorado

Average tuition and school fees: $15,663
Average cost of kit: $2,361
Licensing fee: $28
Total average cost: $18,052

Connecticut

Average tuition and school fees: $17,675
Average cost of kit: $2,073
Licensing fee: $100
Total average cost: $19,848

Delaware

Average tuition and school fees: $14,836
Average cost of kit: $2,251
Licensing fee: $128
Total average cost: $17,215

District of Columbia (Washington, D.C.)

Average tuition and school fees: $15,472
Average cost of kit: $1,151
Licensing fee: $65
Total average cost: $16,688

Florida

Average tuition and school fees: $14,245
Average cost of kit: $1,455
Licensing fee: $45
Total average cost: $15,745

Georgia

Average tuition and school fees: $14,927
Average cost of kit: $1,251
Licensing fee: $30
Total average cost: $16,208

Hawaii

Average tuition and school fees: $14,902
Average cost of kit: $1,686
Licensing fee: $20
Total average cost: $16,608

Idaho

Average tuition and school fees: $12,394
Average cost of kit: $1,883
Licensing fee: $25
Total average cost: $14,302

Illinois

Average tuition and school fees: $16,061
Average cost of kit: $1,711
Licensing fee: $30
Total average cost: $17,802

Indiana

Average tuition and school fees: $14,268
Average cost of kit: $1,699
Licensing fee: $40
Total average cost: $16,007

Iowa

Average tuition and school fees: $17,808
Average cost of kit: $1,740
Licensing fee: $60
Total average cost: $19,608

Kansas

Average tuition and school fees: $14,811
Average cost of kit: $2,584
Licensing fee: $60
Total average cost: $17,455

Kentucky

Average tuition and school fees: $12,569
Average cost of kit: $844
Licensing fee: $50
Total average cost: $13,463

Louisiana

Average tuition and school fees: $12,230
Average cost of kit: $1,211
Licensing fee: $25
Total average cost: $13,466

Maine

Average tuition and school fees: $15,200
Average cost of kit: $1,702
Licensing fee: $20
Total average cost: $16,922

Maryland

Average tuition and school fees: $16,533
Average cost of kit: $1,942
Licensing fee: $25
Total average cost: $18,500

Massachusetts

Average tuition and school fees: $12,450
Average cost of kit: $1,282
Licensing fee: $68
Total average cost: $13,800

Michigan

Average tuition and school fees: $14,952
Average cost of kit: $1,277
Licensing fee: $161
Total average cost: $16,390

Minnesota

Average tuition and school fees: $15,639
Average cost of kit: $1,693
Licensing fee: $195
Total average cost: $17,527

Mississippi

Average tuition and school fees: $12,587
Average cost of kit: $1,163
Licensing fee: $55
Total average cost: $13,805

Missouri

Average tuition and school fees: $13,257
Average cost of kit: $2,190
Licensing fee: $20
Total average cost: $15,467

Montana

Average tuition and school fees: $12,605
Average cost of kit: $1,610
Licensing fee: $80
Total average cost: $14,223

Nebraska

Average tuition and school fees: $16,338
Average cost of kit: $1,842
Licensing fee: $30
Total average cost: $18,210

Nevada

Average tuition and school fees: $18,448
Average cost of kit: $1,666
Licensing fee: $70
Total average cost: $20,184

New Hampshire

Average tuition and school fees: $17,475
Average cost of kit: $2,374
Licensing fee: $30
Total average cost: $19,879

New Jersey

Average tuition and school fees: $16,528
Average cost of kit: $1,856
Licensing fee: $90
Total average cost: $18,474

New Mexico

Average tuition and school fees: $14,568
Average cost of kit: $1,206
Licensing fee: $100
Total average cost: $15,874

New York

Average tuition and school fees: $13,354
Average cost of kit: $1,795
Licensing fee: $50
Total average cost: $15,199

North Carolina

Average tuition and school fees: $15,472
Average cost of kit: $1,629
Licensing fee: $49
Total average cost: $17,150

North Dakota

Average tuition and school fees: $13,924
Average cost of kit: $1,456
Licensing fee: $80
Total average cost: $15,460

Ohio

Average tuition and school fees: $16,440
Average cost of kit: $1,954
Licensing fee: $45
Total average cost: $18,439

Oklahoma

Average tuition and school fees: $13,610
Average cost of kit: $1,405
Licensing fee: $25
Total average cost: $15,040

Oregon

Average tuition and school fees: $13,613
Average cost of kit: $1,675
Licensing fee: $65
Total average cost: $15,353

Pennsylvania

Average tuition and school fees: $15,274
Average cost of kit: $1,648
Licensing fee: $25
Total average cost: $16,947

Rhode Island

Average tuition and school fees: $15,245
Average cost of kit: $2,201
Licensing fee: $25
Total average cost: $17,471

South Carolina

Average tuition and school fees: $16,200
Average cost of kit: $717
Licensing fee: $45
Total average cost: $16,962

South Dakota

Average tuition and school fees: $11,731
Average cost of kit: $1,729
Licensing fee: $106
Total average cost: $13,566

Tennessee

Average tuition and school fees: $14,564
Average cost of kit: $1,426
Licensing fee: $60
Total average cost: $16,050

Texas

Average tuition and school fees: $13,852
Average cost of kit: $1,917
Licensing fee: $50
Total average cost: $15,819

Utah

Average tuition and school fees: $14,408
Average cost of kit: $2,114
Licensing fee: $60
Total average cost: $16,582

Vermont

Average tuition and school fees: $13,087
Average cost of kit: $2,084
Licensing fee: $100
Total average cost: $15,271

Virginia

Average tuition and school fees: $16,783
Average cost of kit: $1,586
Licensing fee: $90
Total average cost: $18,459

Washington

Average tuition and school fees: $14,382
Average cost of kit: $2,085
Licensing fee: $35
Total average cost: $16,502

West Virginia

Average tuition and school fees: $13,638
Average cost of kit: $664
Licensing fee: $35
Total average cost: $14,337

Wisconsin

Average tuition and school fees: $15,496
Average cost of kit: $2,078
Licensing fee: $11
Total average cost: $17,585

Wyoming

Average tuition and school fees: $11,587
Average cost of kit: $505
Licensing fee: $36
Total average cost: $12,128

How to pay for cosmetology school

Wondering how to finance your dreams of becoming a beauty pro? Several options may be available to you that can make paying for school a little easier, including:

• Financial aid in the form of grants or loans
• Scholarships
• Family help
• Payment plans

Financial aid

Your first step should always be to ask your chosen school if they accept financial aid. If so, you can apply through FAFSA. FAFSA determines eligibility for aid options like grants or loans. If you need help with the application process, ask your school advisor.

• Grants provide money to eligible students from the government that they don’t need to pay back.
• Loans provide money to eligible students from the government that students need to be pay back. Loans also accrue interest, so you’ll pay back more than what you borrowed.

Scholarships

Many cosmetology schools also accept financial aid in the form of scholarships. Scholarship money is always a great option since students don’t need to pay it back.

Want $500 to put toward your cosmetology education? Check out their Milady RISE Scholarship, given to ten recipients each year. To be eligible, students must be Milady RISE-certified, which helps train professionals in domestic abuse and human trafficking safety.

Family help

Some cosmetology students receive help from family members. If your family is willing to donate or loan you money to put toward your education, it can make things easier since you’ll avoid the application process for federal aid.

Payment plans

Some cosmetology schools provide payment plans to break up the cost of tuition into smaller, more manageable payments over time. Ask your school advisor if a payment plan is available to you.