The Pros and Cons of Attending Cosmetology School

Discover the benefits of receiving a beauty school education.

When looking for education options and career opportunities, you should always be aware of the pros and cons of any potential choice. Naturally, we all seek our next chapter after high school, but what is the right next step? Looking to continue your education is a common choice as people look to specialize their skills for the job market.

If you have an interest in the beauty industry, makeup, hairstyling, or skincare, exploring programs for cosmetology school is highly recommended. However, if you are still unsure, here is a useful guide to understand all the pros and cons of receiving a cosmetology school education.

Pro: Affordable Vocational Training

One of the greatest benefits of attending cosmetology or beauty school is affordability. Whereas a traditional four-year university can cost upwards of $35,000 a year, cosmetology colleges and other trade schools have a more practical tuition—often at a fraction of the cost of these traditional universities. Besides this, you can still receive a rewarding education for this affordable price. Accredited schools offer certified programs that are maintained by a high standard of curriculum and teaching practices.

Pro: Gain Required Hours To Receive License

Ultimately, the purpose of an accredited training course is to teach you the skills necessary to become a professional cosmetologist while fulfilling the hours needed to apply for state licensure. With an accredited cosmetology program, you can trust that by completing the program you will have finished the training hours necessary to get your license. These clear results from attending school are one of the best benefits—it ensures you will have job prospects after your program. This can be less clear-cut and often circumstantial with other education options.

Con: No On-Campus Living Experience

If one is looking for dorm life or a large campus experience, cosmetology school may not be the best suited option. Typically, cosmetology or beauty schools offer more individualized and hands-on training. In this regard, there isn’t typically dorm housing or multiple campuses with huge lecture-style classes.

Pro: Start Your Career Earlier

When you attend cosmetology school, you can see clear steps to your professional goals. In states like Indiana and Kentucky, a cosmetology program will be around 1,500 hours since this is the requirement to gain your license. This can be completed in a relatively short timeframe, making the path to your dream job that much closer. For other institutions, schooling can take several years to complete, meaning that it takes longer to enter the job field.

Pro: More Flexible Class Hours

For many educational programs, such as four-year courses, your schedule becomes more and more static overtime. Typically, once someone picks their program or major, necessary courses will only have one time slot available. In this way, maintaining a job or other extracurricular activities can be difficult to manage while in school. On the other hand, cosmetology programs often offer full-time or part-time classes on a rolling basis throughout the year. This gives students more freedom over their time; they can work, see their friends and family, and maintain their social lives.

Pro: Small Class Sizes and Personalized Teaching

Often in other educational programs, there can be hundreds of students in one course. In cosmetology school, classes often remain remotely smaller for the mechanics of hands-on training and practice. This ensures that you will get effective and personalized training. You will know your instructors personally, be able to learn from the up-close, and develop a working relationship with those in your program. Often in bigger class sizes or lecture-style courses, it is common to not individually meet with your instructor during the course.

Con: Classes Focus on Specialization, Not General Education

If you’re looking to take courses on multiple subjects, you might want to explore other career opportunities rather than a vocational institution. Programs like cosmetology, esthetics, or nail technician training are all about gaining specialization in a certain trade. Courses are refined to make you an expert in your subject—ready to enter the workforce once your course is completed. Other general education courses focus on a more expansive curriculum but do not have the specialization and hands-on training quite at the level a cosmetology school does.

Pro: Clear Path to Career

The most positive aspect of seeking a cosmetology career with an accredited program is that the path to a career is relatively clearer than most education options. From the start, you pick your field of interest and know the exact job you will be doing after graduating. You earn the hours necessary to gain your license. With your license in hand, you can be working in a salon or your own business, showcasing your skills for clients in your area. In this way, cosmetology school is designed and implemented to get you the training and skills you need to become a professional cosmetologist in the most efficient manner possible.

Cosmetology school is an exciting prospect for those seeking a rewarding career in the beauty industry. It is the perfect way to apply your skills and utilize artistic talents. Enrollment advisors, like those at PJ’s Cosmetology, are happy to answer any of your questions about a program. Connect online or call today at 800-62-SALON (72566).