Cosmetology – TONI&GUY Hairdressing Academy

The Cosmetology program is designed to prepare students to accept entry-level positions in the cosmetology field. Students will be able to accept positions at a variety of employers including hair and nail salons, spas, resorts as well as self-employment. As a Toni & Guy Hairstyling Academy, the Cosmetology program utilizes the Toni & Guy curriculum. Students will be taught the Toni & Guy hairstyling techniques by instructors trained in this curriculum.

TONI&GUY Hairdressing Academy is world renowned for our dedication to delivering legendary education to students whose passion is beauty. We push the boundaries of hairdressing education by immediately exposing our students to a high-end professional salon environment that ignites creativity and consistency. TONI&GUY Hairdressing Academy utilizes a “learn-by-doing” approach. From day one, students get hands-on instruction from experienced beauty professionals to prepare them for the demanding salon environment.

Covering cosmetology fundamentals, 11 classic cuts and nine color techniques while also providing students with the confidence to advise and educate salon clients, our Cosmetology Program produces graduates who are salon- and state board-ready.

Ultra-modern salon. Penn Commercial’s long-standing cosmetology program was proudly converted to a Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy in 2016. Our ultra-modern 15,000-square-foot salon located inside Penn Commercial was built to inspire and develop top talent in the cosmetology industry. The Cosmetology Clinic/Lab has 74 mobile stations, hair dryers, shampoo basins, facial chairs, styling stations, four manicure stations and two pedicure stations.

Comprehensive student kit. The Student Kit is an impressive collection of tools which students will use during their 1250 hours of training, and even into their professional careers: professional quality shears, razors, clippers, irons, combs, brushes, blow dryers, attachments, mannequin heads, makeup, an iPad, and more.

Penn Commercial welcomes prospective students interested in its training programs. Prior to signing an enrollment agreement, all applicants are required to review the comprehensive School Catalog and consumer disclosure information. Admission to any of Penn Commercial’s programs requires a high school diploma or GED certificate, and you’ll be asked to sign a release form to obtain your official transcripts so we can confirm that this has been achieved.

Applicants may sign an enrollment agreement and receive conditional acceptance prior to submitting all required documentation. However, enrollment is not complete, and classes cannot commence until all admission requirements, including proof of high school graduation or equivalency, have been fulfilled. High school seniors who submit applications prior to graduation and meet all other admission criteria will be conditionally accepted.

Class hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. This program is considered a clock hour program; therefore, attendance is mandatory in order for a student to progress and meet program requirements. If a student should miss class, makeup work is mandatory and is scheduled outside of the regularly scheduled class day.

The next start date is November 23, 2026 (estimated graduation September 3, 2027).

2026 tuition and fees. The school’s 2026 Tuition and Fees Schedule lists the following for this program (program total $21,791):

• Tuition: $16,200
• Books / supplies: $4,600
• Lab fee: $600
• Professional liability insurance: $26
• Licensure fees: $180
• Graduation fee: $75
• Application fee: $25
• Registration fee: $85

What the fees cover. The application fee includes the cost of the entrance exam and the administrative fee to process applications; the registration fee includes the key fob, photo ID badge, high school transcript charges and overall matriculation; the lab fee/consumables covers lab supplies, equipment and maintenance, electronic library system, software licensing, campus internet and technology, and clinical rotation fees; the graduation fee includes degree/diploma preparation and the ceremony.

Financial aid. Penn Commercial is an eligible institution approved by the United States Department of Education for participation in various Title IV programs. Students who want to apply for federal aid (and state aid, if applicable) must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each academic year at studentaid.gov; Penn Commercial’s FAFSA school code is 004902. Various types of aid for the eligible student may include: PA State Grant, Federal Pell Grant, Federal Direct Stafford/Ford Loan, Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford/Ford Loan, Federal PLUS Loan, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Federal Work Study, Pennsylvania Targeted Industry Program Grant, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) and other agency funding, Department of Public Assistance, Trade Assistance Act Benefits, Department of Veteran’s Affairs, Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, private loans, institutional payment plans, employer reimbursement and scholarships.

Veterans. Penn Commercial is approved for the training of veterans and will not impose any penalty on a covered individual because of the delayed disbursement of funding from VA under chapter 31 or 33.

Scholarships. The Cosmetology Program Scholarship may be awarded for students entering the cosmetology program (deadline August 15); it amounts to 25% of tuition per quarter.

Payment. For current students who make monthly payments, tuition is due by the second of every month; a twenty ($20) dollar late fee is applied to payments received after the due date. Tuition and fees may be subject to increase with 60-days written notice.

Living expenses. The school’s cost-of-attendance chart lists, per 9-month period (minimum): room and board $4,500 for a student living with a parent or $9,000 for a student not living with a parent; personal expenses $1,800; transportation $2,700. Program costs need to be added to these figures to calculate the cost of attendance.

Graduates of the Cosmetology program are eligible to take the Pennsylvania Cosmetologist exam; candidates must pass this exam in order to obtain Pennsylvania state licensure. The fees for application, PA background check, and one attempt at the exam are included in the cost of the program. Graduates can accept positions at a variety of employers including:

• Hair and nail salons
• Spas
• Resorts
• Self-employment

Student achievement rates. As reported by Penn Commercial to ACCSC in the school’s 2025 Annual Report, for the Cosmetology cohort (3/2023 - 2/2024): graduation rate 79% (27 of 34); employment rate 70% (19 of 27). Licensure examination pass rate: 91% (20 of 22 graduates taking the exam passed).

Schedule and makeup work. Cosmetology class hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm for the 1,250-clock-hour, 9-month diploma. This is a clock hour program, so attendance is mandatory for a student to progress and meet program requirements; if a student misses class, makeup work is mandatory and is scheduled outside the regularly scheduled class day.

Orientation. All incoming students, and returning students who have been absent for six months or more, are required to attend orientation before classes start. During orientation you become acquainted with the campus, meet key administrative staff, instructors and fellow students, and learn about important policies and procedures. If you cannot attend the scheduled orientation, your admission representative can arrange an alternative date/time before classes start.

Attendance. All students are expected to attend all scheduled classes, including clinical and externship rotations, in a regular and punctual manner. Attendance is recorded in fifteen-minute increments and becomes part of the student's permanent academic record, and there is no distinction between an excused and an unexcused absence. Students who exceed attendance thresholds may be placed on attendance warning and probation, and a student is withdrawn after fourteen consecutive calendar days of non-attendance.

Class size. Class sizes vary by program. Lecture/lab classes typically maintain a student-to-teacher ratio of 9:1, and laboratory/shop classes provide hands-on training using industry-standard equipment.

Dress code and ID. Strict adherence to the dress code is mandatory in all classrooms, laboratories and clinical settings; each program's specific dress code is communicated during enrollment. Students must display their photo identification badge at all times on campus and at externship or clinical sites, and every student receives a personalized key fob to enter and exit the building.

Graduation. To graduate, students must complete all required coursework with a passing grade, accumulate the credits or clock hours required for their program, maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0, complete 100% of any required externship or clinical hours, fulfill all financial obligations, complete the exit interview process if applicable, and adhere to their program's attendance policies.