Cosmetology (1,500 Hours) is a Diploma program offered by Aveda Arts & Sciences Institutes in Charlotte, NC. The program takes 50 weeks to complete, with a total tuition of $20,700.
Program Overview
Are you ready to join a vibrant community that transforms lives through artistry and practical skill? Our Cosmetology program at Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute Charlotte is our all-encompassing beauty training for a wide range of skills in beauty and wellness, utilizing Aveda’s renowned line of naturally derived, plant-based products.
Our Cosmetology program focuses on hair care—from shampooing and cutting to styling, coloring, waving, and more—while providing an in-depth education in skincare, manicuring and pedicuring, and business development so that you can hit the ground running after graduation.
Our Charlotte campus Cosmetology program is designed to prepare graduates for entry-level careers as hair stylists, makeup artists, salon managers or owners, or retail sales specialists.
Cosmetology focuses heavily on hair, so the majority of our 1,500-hour program is devoted to the subject. You’ll learn the ins and outs of hair cutting, styling, shampooing, coloring, bleaching, tinting, and permanent waves and relaxers. All of your hands-on instruction happens inside our upscale facility with well-appointed stations on the clinic floor and lofted ceilings with plenty of natural light.
Your training will also equip you to offer clients services well beyond hair care, such as manicuring and skin care (including facials, massage, and hair removal), alongside other essential aspects of the profession, such as basic anatomy and physiology, bacteriology, state regulations, and hygiene, sanitation, and safety.
The objective of this program is to prepare the students for the state licensing examination in cosmetology. The program is intended to train students to enter the workforce as an entry-level hair stylist. A student will also learn the technical, personal, and business skills to prepare for the work in a professional salon as a stylist, retail sales specialist, salon manager, or salon owner with a focus on Aveda techniques and products.
What sets this Program apart
At Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute Charlotte, we’re about much more than beauty. We’re about helping students launch thriving, exciting careers and become active, responsible citizens. Our teaching approach focuses on personal growth and wellness. It starts with extensive training in using Aveda’s plant-based, sustainable products. It extends to wellness rituals, ethical and responsible business practices, retail knowledge, client relationships and retention, and a wide range of real-world professional experiences.
Learning doesn’t stop at the classroom door! Our educators host numerous workshops throughout the year to expose our students to techniques and skills beyond the curriculum. The Charlotte student experience includes opportunities to participate in the Earth Month/Catwalk event, the BCA Hair Show, and Charlotte Seen fashion shows and editorial photo shoots. If you ever had a dream of doing hair, makeup, and nails for an appreciative crowd, Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute – Charlotte can make it happen.
Our emphasis on community service means participating in activities like the Light Rail Clean Up, neighborhood beautification projects, and meaningful volunteer work with local nonprofits and shelters.
Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute Charlotte is committed to student success, with 87.8% of enrolled students graduating and moving forward with a future in the beauty industry.*
Admission Requirements and Process
To enroll in the Cosmetology program at Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute Charlotte, you have to meet these basic requirements for entry:
Age: 16 years
Education: High school diploma (or equivalent)
Other Requirements: Submit an application, pay a $50 non-refundable application fee, submit a government-issued ID with proof of age and photo, and a social security card. You must also schedule an interview with an Admissions team member.
Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute is committed to ensuring a safe educational environment and reserves the right to deny admission to applicants with a criminal record. Transfer hours are only accepted from schools within the Aveda Institute network.
General Requirements
- Application and feeComplete the Application for Admission and submit it to the Admissions office along with the $50 non-refundable application fee.
- Interview and tourSchedule an informational interview and tour the school with an Admissions Manager.
- Letters of recommendation and intentSubmit a letter of recommendation and a letter of intent.
- Proof of educationSubmit valid proof of education, such as a high school diploma, a transcript showing high school completion, a GED or state equivalency certificate; ability-to-benefit students…
- Photo ID and ageSubmit valid, unexpired photo identification with proof of age; students must be at least 16 years old to enroll and 17 to sit for the licensing examination.
- Citizenship or lawful statusSubmit valid, unexpired proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful status with eligibility to attend postsecondary school.
- Social Security cardSubmit your social security card.
- Kit paymentPersonal-pay students must pay the kit fee by the registration deadline; financial-aid-eligible students may roll the kit fee into financial aid.
Application Process
- 1Request informationThe best way to get started is to request information from your chosen campus; the admissions team will walk you through the process.
- 2Interview and tourSchedule an informational interview and tour the school with an Admissions Manager.
- 3ApplyComplete the Application for Admission and submit it with the $50 nonrefundable application fee; you can apply in person or online.
- 4Submit your documentsSubmit a letter of recommendation and letter of intent, proof of education, photo identification with proof of age, proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful status, and your social security card.
- 5Complete your financial planBefore enrolling, complete a financial plan with your campus financial aid manager; the first step is to complete the FAFSA (school code 026009).
- 6Pay kit and registration feesPersonal-pay students pay the kit fee with the enrollment agreement by the registration deadline.
Program Schedule
Cosmetology. A-side: 30 hours per week, Monday – Wednesday 9am – 8pm (1-hour lunch). B-side: 30 hours per week, Thursday – Saturday 9am – 8pm (8am – 7pm on Saturday) (1-hour lunch).
Upcoming start dates: November 16, 2026.
- November 16th, 2026
Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid Information
Tuition: $20,700. Kit fee: $3,200 (kit fees are mandatory and may not be pro-rated; students may not opt out of kit fees). Application fee: $50 (nonrefundable; not eligible for VA funding).
Total of listed charges: $23,950.
Required textbooks are included in the kit cost, but students can choose to purchase their textbooks from another source, in which case the kit fee is reduced by the applicable cost.
Payment plans: students can pay in installments through an interest-free monthly payment plan; no interest is charged if the total is paid off before graduation.
Financial aid is available for those students that meet the necessary requirements. Aveda Arts & Sciences Institutes participate in the Pell Grant Program and the Federal Direct Loan Program. Complete the FAFSA at fafsa.gov using federal school code 026009.
Veterans’ benefits are not available in all institute locations, and only to those who qualify.
Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute graduates who enroll in another program receive a 15% discount off the published tuition rate.
Net Price Calculator: https://avedaarts.edu/wp-content/themes/avedaarts/net-price-calculators/npcalc-charlotte.htm
Curriculum
The course of study is comprised of 1,500 clock hours. Each of the subjects listed below will be covered in the theory and practical work.
Once your classes start, you’ll gain insights into salon operations, from client consultations to retail sales, tax and inventory issues, professional ethics, and more.
Of course, you can’t begin practicing as a cosmetologist until you pass the North Carolina state board exam. Our instructor staff at Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute—Charlotte is here for you as you review all of your learnings in preparation for taking this milestone step towards your new career.
After studying in the classroom, you’ll practice everything you’ve learned in a real salon and day spa on our 10,000-square-foot campus. Our expert instructors will direct you through the procedures, ensuring that you follow proper procedures as you gain confidence in your hands-on and customer-focused skills.
Required Courses
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Career Outcomes
The program is intended to train students to enter the workforce as an entry-level hair stylist, with the technical, personal, and business skills to work in a professional salon as a stylist, retail sales specialist, salon manager, or salon owner.
Graduation, placement and licensure (2024 Annual Report to NACCAS, as published in the 2026-27 catalog — Charlotte, Cosmetology): graduation 85.98%, placement 69.23%, licensure 96.30%.
Aveda Arts & Sciences Institutes do not guarantee employment to students; however, the schools assist students in finding employment, hold annual job fairs, and can assist with out-of-state placement subject to licensing transfer.
What to expect as a Aveda Arts & Sciences Institutes student
Our Charlotte campus is situated in the vibrant South End of Charlotte. Its distinctive mix of historic sites and innovative startups, diverse neighborhoods and businesses, and public art and creative outlets help our students feel at home as they prepare for their careers. Our beautiful two-story, 10,000-square-foot campus sits on tree-lined South Boulevard, offering inspiring views and natural lighting through large picture windows.
Our convenient location near major thoroughfares such as Park Avenue, East Boulevard, Morehead Avenue, and Camden Road provides easy access from surrounding neighborhoods, such as Dilworth, Brooklyn Village, Uptown, and more. Reaching our Charlotte campus is simple thanks to the nearby light rail, which runs directly behind our building, and the CAT Bus, which makes two stops near our campus.
Street parking is conveniently available near campus, and monthly passes can be purchased through Preferred Parking.
Nestled in the South, Aveda Arts Charlotte has become an oasis of culture for all future stylists and skin care specialists who want to pursue the career in fashion and beauty they’ve always dreamed about. These students, searching for one of the best beauty schools in Charlotte using only naturally-derived products, choose Aveda Arts because of our approach
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Why Accreditation Is Important
Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute is accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts & Sciences (NACCAS), recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Licensed by the North Carolina State Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners.
- A reliable indicator of quality
- Approved program of study
- Qualified instructors
- Recognition by employers nationwide
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