Cosmetology (1,500 Hours)

At Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute Birmingham, our students come from a variety of backgrounds but share one common passion: helping clients look and feel their best. If you want to embark on a creative, exciting adventure where you get to do that every single day, come learn more about our Cosmetology program and how it prepares you for a career in beauty.

The Cosmetology program at our Birmingham campus is built on the expertise of our educators, all of whom have experience in the industry. Throughout the program, you’re encouraged to develop your knowledge and hone the skills needed for a thriving beauty career. To do this, we combine a tried-and-true combination of classroom teaching, instructor demos, and hands-on practice with mannequins, your fellow students, and real clients with the supportive supervision of licensed instructors.

Hair care is central to cosmetology, so a large part of our program focuses on hair cutting, design, styling, shampooing, and coloring. You’ll also gain vital skills in skin care, facials, and basic manicuring. Throughout all of these beauty disciplines, we focus on what you’ll need to know in a real-world beauty job. We also don’t sleep on one of the most essential parts of your training—preparation to earn your license.

Before graduation, you’ll round things off by developing essential industry knowledge in salon management, retailing, client consultation, and health and safety regulations – so you’ll feel ready and equipped to launch your new career as soon as you graduate.

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.

Our Birmingham campus is home to experienced instructors who share a passion for passing on skills you’ll need to be a successful new beauty pro. Aveda Arts and Sciences Institutes – Birmingham offers two programs: Cosmetology (hair, nail, skin, makeup) and Esthiology (skincare).

Our student-centered programming has been developed to help students achieve their goals. We recognize that in a diverse community of students, each brings their own experiences, skills, and learning styles. As a result, we approach our teaching from multiple angles, introducing the theoretical foundations of cosmetology and esthetics while prioritizing hands-on learning. Throughout our programs, our students are able to apply their classroom knowledge to real-world, real-people scenarios.

Your future instructors are established in the Alabama beauty industry and know firsthand that beauty skills—while important—are not enough alone to launch you into a new career. They’ll also introduce you to business skills such as how to market yourself and how to maintain great client relationships. We want our graduates to have the business smarts needed to run a salon or start their own beauty enterprise.

Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute Birmingham equips students with the skills and confidence to succeed, with 83.7% graduation rate and a 100% pass rate for eligible students who sat for the state licensing exam.*

To enroll in the Cosmetology program at our Birmingham campus, you must meet the following 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 our Admissions team.

We welcome all those who are interested to visit us in person, complete an introductory meeting with one of our Admissions team members, and tour our campus.

For Cosmetology Services in Birmingham visit our Guest Services Site »

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.

Cosmetology (1500 hours/50 weeks): 30 hours per week, Wednesday – Saturday 9am – 5:30pm (1-hour lunch).

Upcoming start dates: November 17, 2026.

Tuition: $19,850. 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: $23,100.

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-birmingham.htm

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 — Birmingham, Cosmetology): graduation 75.21%, placement 86.00%, licensure 100.00%.

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.

Enter our Birmingham campus’ dramatic arched entrance and feel the magic of Alabama’s premier destination for beauty education. You’ll feel inspired to put your creative talent to work in the spa-like interior with high ceilings and tastefully finished in sepia tones. This supportive and inclusive environment includes many spaces for education and instruction, from classrooms to the student clinic floor—as well as a full retail space stocked with Aveda products.

Located in the upscale Riverchase Galleria in Hoover, the Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute – Birmingham campus features plenty of parking and easy access from I-459, Hwy 31, and I-65.

Being attached to the mall means you can work your life rhythms into your beauty school schedule. Swing by Galleria Coffee 168 for pre-class coffee or grab lunch with your bestie classmates at Panera across the street—you’re in the middle of the action.

Located in the nearby suburb of Hoover, the Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute Birmingham is one of the top beauty schools in the area, using only naturally-derived products with certified organic ingredients. With a curriculum focused on personal wellness and professional excellence, students benefit from hands-on training and a global network of over 6,500 salons. The stylish, energy-filled campus offers fast-paced programs in Cosmetology and Esthiology, where students practice their craft in real-world salon and spa environments. This practical experience equips them to launch successful careers in the beauty and spa industries.