Making people beautiful is both a passion and talent of yours. Now … if only you could find a way to work the same magic on your bank account.

Of course, it’s not possible to conduct a makeover on your savings. But if you’re considering cosmetology school for a potential career in the beauty field, you’re right to take a long, hard look at your finances.

If you’re like countless other beauty school students, the first question that comes to mind when looking at potential schools is this: “How much should cosmetology school cost?” Once you have an answer to that, then your thoughts turn to how you’re going to pay for it.

So many factors contribute to the cost of beauty school that it’s difficult to put a set number on the total. Beauty school isn’t cheap, but it tends to be much more affordable than other types of degree paths. Attending an accredited cosmetology school can cost from about $5,000 to $15,000. And programs do get much more expensive, with top programs estimated to cost from $10,000 to $20,000.

But there are far more items that contribute to cost than mere tuition.

Four factors that will influence what you pay for cosmetology school

When enrolling in a cosmetology program, you need to have a complete financial picture in mind so you can know what schools you can afford and which ones are out of your price range. Here are four factors that will influence how much cosmetology school costs for you:

• Where you live – Are you going to be leaving home to pursue your education. If so, then a major influencer on your expenses will be room and board charges. Attending a school in major city could cost you as much as $20,000 a year. However, a school located in a rural community would likely be significantly less expensive, ranging from about $5,000 to $10,000 a year. A contact in your school’s admissions office should be able to provide you with an estimate for room and board expenses.
• Book learning – Most cosmetology students realize that not all the learning they attain will come through hands-on situations. A large part of your studies will also involve reading assignments from textbooks selected by your college. Conservatively, you can expect to pay about $2,000 to $3,000. This can vary greatly depending on your instructor’s reliance on textbooks for his or her teaching style.
• Various equipment – Becoming a hair stylist, esthetician or hair stylist requires hands-on programs, so you’re going to need to invest in hands-on tools of the trade. Part of your expenses will involve purchasing scissors and electric clippers, styling gels, shampoos and conditioners, mannequins, and any other tools your instructor might deem necessary.
• Scholarship opportunities – Don’t feel like you have to come up with all of the money for cosmetology school on your own. Just like any other college program, you might be able to find scholarships to help you cover your expenses. In some cases, successful alumni will set up scholarships at their alma maters. Visit with someone at your school to determine if such scholarships are available and if you qualify.

Financial security
Showing concern about how much your schooling will cost is a sign that you are approaching your education in the right frame of mind. You want to be sure you can afford your schooling, and the salary that you make as beautician justifies what you paid.

By taking into consideration all of the above factors, there’s no way you will find yourself in over your head. The cosmetology world needs talented individuals like you. Research the schools and find one that makes the most sense for you, then you can begin a career that makes others beautiful and also fills your bank account!