Cosmetology (1,550 Hours)

Prepare for a career as a cosmetologist by learning foundational skills in hair and skincare, makeup, manicuring, and business. After completing the cosmetology program at Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute Minneapolis, students will gain the hands-on experience needed to take the state licensing exam.

The cosmetology curriculum provides students with the foundational knowledge to understand hair care and its related beauty services, combined with the technical, real-world experience needed to develop a career in the industry. Expert instructors train students on current techniques using Aveda’s high-performance plant-infused products.

You’ll go far beyond textbook learning with 420 theory training hours and more than 1,100 hours of hands-on experience working with clients and learning the ins and outs of the industry. Students work in a sanitary environment and learn the importance of safety and hygiene in spa and salon settings.

With a focus on hair care, cosmetology students also learn business fundamentals for a career as a freelancer, retail employee, or salon owner, depending on their aspirations.

Express your creativity and talent in hair, skin and nail care, and makeup application. Our Cosmetology course incorporates 1,550 hours of extensive hands-on learning to provide you a complete understanding of beauty and wellness. Upon completion, you’ll be ready to succeed as a licensed cosmetologist.

At this flagship campus of Aveda Institutes, our students come for far more than just skillbuilding. The students at Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute Minneapolis value our focus on wellness—both personal and environmental—and rituals rooted in ancient beauty practices that still resonate today with a modern twist.

Beyond the classroom or clinic floor, students have the chance to participate in two fashion shows during the year: one for Breast Cancer Awareness and another—fittingly for the Aveda brand that walks the talk on environment sustainability—celebrating Earth Month. Our active community also proudly participates in Minneapolis’ annual Pride parade and fest.

It’s not just our physical building that has history, either. The proof points of our program are our noteworthy alumni. Among our distinguished Minneapolis graduates are beauty pros who have made it to the pinnacle of their fields, including the celebrity hairstylist Jonathan Van Ness; David Wagner, founder and CEO of Juut Salonspa; and Janell Geason, global artistic director and educator for Aveda’s makeup division.

Home to one of the nation’s leading Aveda programs, Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute Minneapolis combines strong graduation (85.7%), placement (77.8%), and licensure (94%) outcomes with advanced esthetics training opportunities.*

If you’re ready to enroll at the Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute Minneapolis, prepare your necessary documents before submitting an application along with the application and enrollment fees. Contact an admissions manager to schedule a campus tour and information interview to learn more about the facility and programs offered.

Age – Applicants must be at least 16 years of age.

Education – High school diploma or equivalent is required. Please submit any additional higher education records. Students with foreign credentials must have translated and verified documents.

Identification – Government-issued ID and social security card.

Eligibility Documents – Proof of U.S. citizenship or eligibility to study in the United States.

You will receive a written notice of acceptance or rejection. To schedule an informational interview, call the Admissions Department at (612) 378-7400 or (800) 274-6778, option 1.

Full-time schedules. A-side: Monday through Wednesday 8:30 am – 7:30 pm, every other Saturday 7:30 am – 6:30 pm (1-hour break) (replaces Wednesday) (30 hours per week, 52 weeks total). B-side: Tuesday through Friday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm (30-minute break) every other week, then Wednesday through Saturday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm (7:30 am – 3:30 pm on Saturday) (30-minute break) every other week (30 hours per week, 52 weeks total).

Upcoming start dates: November 16, 2026; November 17, 2026; February 1, 2027; February 3, 2027; April 12, 2027; April 14, 2027; June 21, 2027; June 23, 2027.

Tuition: $22,300. Kit fee: $3,250 (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). Enrollment fee: $50.

Total of listed charges: $25,650.

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.

Students may make full payment at the time of enrollment; otherwise, students receive a payment schedule in their enrollment contract.

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 014847.

Veterans’ benefits are not available in all institute locations, and only to those who qualify.

State grants — Minnesota: the Minnesota State Grant is available to Minnesota residents who meet its eligibility rules; undocumented students can apply through the Minnesota Dream Act application.

Award Year 2026-27 Cost of Attendance (estimated room, transportation and personal expenses per month in the largest program): living with parent and no dependents $1,418.00; all others $1,985.00.

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-minneapolis.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 (NACCAS 2024 Annual Report; cohort of students scheduled to graduate in 2024 — Minneapolis, Cosmetology): graduation 82.43%, placement 83.22%, licensure 93.71%.

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.

We’re located at the edge of the Marcy-Holmes neighborhood, just blocks away from Nicollet Island and a mile from the University of Minnesota – Minneapolis campus. Our central location near the University and Central intersection offers easy access to many parts of the city, including historic Main Street.

Located on multiple Metro Transit bus lines and within walking distance of a variety of local restaurants, lunch breaks and commuting are convenient and accessible. At Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute Minneapolis, you’ll learn beauty surrounded by beauty. The institute occupies a beautifully restored historic brick building, the Cataract Lodge. Built in 1926 in late Gothic Revival style for the Masons, the building was purchased in the 80’s by Aveda founder Horst Rechelbacher for the very first Aveda Institute.

The five floors contain elegant marble staircases lined with original stained-glass windows, two incredible ballrooms, a retail space, and even a domed meditation room with ceiling crystals. A building this inspiring could be where you attend beauty school as the next step in your career.

Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute Minneapolis, founded in 1982, develops entrepreneurs in beauty while promoting personal well-being and environmental responsibility. Students learn from passionate instructors who help them master essential skills within a global community focused on excellence. The institute offers various career paths, making it an ideal starting point for a career with a recognized brand.