Esthiology (600 Hours)

If you’re passionate about skincare and natural beauty and wellness, the Esthiology (esthetician) program at Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute – Charlotte is a destination institution to turn that passion into an exciting career!

Here at the Charlotte campus, our Esthiology program will help you discover the art and science of esthetics, including how to use our world-renowned Aveda pure plant-based products and spa techniques to help clients feel and look their best.

The Esthiology program at Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute Charlotte prepares students to launch exciting, creative careers as estheticians or skincare specialists. It mixes instruction in skincare theory with hands-on, practical experience to ensure students are ready for their licensing exams and the future.

You’ll start by studying skincare science, covering subjects such as anatomy and physiology, sanitation and sterilization, general chemistry, and nutrition. You’ll then learn to perform a wide variety of treatments, including skin analysis, cleanses, massage, facials, hair removal, wax treatments, makeup application, and aromatherapy. You’ll also cover basic esthetics business practices, such as professional ethics and retail sales, to help you enter the industry at any level.

Here at Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute—Charlotte, we’re all about natural beauty. As part of that commitment, we teach our students how to use Aveda pure plant and flower essences and in the luxurious spa techniques for which Aveda is known worldwide.

The curriculum provides skin care training with an emphasis on using pure plant and plant essences in treatment. The objective of this program is to prepare students for the state licensing examination in esthetics. Upon completion, students will have the skills to seek employment as a skin care specialist with the knowledge of Aveda products and spa techniques.

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.*

Before you can enroll in the Esthiology program at the Charlotte campus, you will need to meet some basic requirements:

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 a member of our Admissions team.

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.

Esthiology. A-side: 30 hours per week, Monday – Wednesday 9am – 8pm (1-hour lunch). B-side: 30 hours per week, Thursday & Friday 9am – 8pm (1-hour lunch) and Saturday 8am – 7pm (1-hour lunch).

Upcoming start dates: November 30, 2026.

Tuition: $10,050. Kit fee: $2,100 (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: $12,200.

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

Upon completion, students will have the skills to seek employment as a skin care specialist; job opportunities are available in the salon, medical and retail industries as Esthetician and Makeup Artist.

Graduation, placement and licensure (2024 Annual Report to NACCAS, as published in the 2026-27 catalog — Charlotte, Esthiology): graduation 89.02%, placement 54.63%, licensure 93.10%.

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.

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