13 Best Cosmetology Schools in Birmingham Alabama

There are cosmetology schools in Birmingham Alabama for individuals who are considering becoming cosmetologists.

Cosmetology schools are also known as ”beauty schools”. They teach cosmetology students how to perform cosmetology services to guests.

As you might have known, cosmetology is more than just hair. It is the study and application of beauty treatment to the hair, skin and nails.

There is a wide range of possibilities and opportunities that cosmetology offers. We will talk about the wide range of possibilities that cosmetology offers and the occupations you could pursue as a licensed cosmetologist before looking at the cosmetology schools in Birmingham Alabama.

Cosmetology offers a wide range of possibilities and endless opportunities upon graduation from the cosmetology schools in Birmingham Alabama, which are based solely on your interests.

As a cosmetologist, there are many occupations you can pursue, they are:

  • Barber
  • Hair Stylist
  • Hair Color Specialist
  • Perm Specialist
  • Nail Care Artists
  • Manicurist
  • Esthetician
  • Salon Owner
  • Salon Coordinator
  • Salon Manager
  • Sales Consultant
  • Cosmetology Instructor
  • Photo and Movie Stylist
  • Manufacturer
  • Sales Representative
  • Makeup Artist
  • Beauty Magazine Writer
  • Beauty Magazine Editor
  • Product Designer
  • Beauty Care Public Relations Specialist
  • Beauty Business Consultant
  • Beauty School Owner

Things to learn in a cosmetology School

The cosmetology schools in Birmingham Alabama teach you the basic theory and technique. You will learn nail health or hair straightening in a classroom with the help and guidance of your educator.

The good cosmetology schools in Birmingham Alabama will teach you all aspects of the beauty industry: how to communicate with your guests, how products containing certain chemicals will interact with each other when you mix them.

After the theory part of your training comes the practical aspect, and this is where the training becomes hands-on.

You will be able to learn these skills step by step while your educator provides encouragement and tips as you learn your new skills.

Choosing a Cosmetology School

The cosmetology schools in Birmingham Alabama can differ in instruction methods and teaching styles. Before choosing that cosmetology school, you might want to know what the school teaches and how successful its graduates are.

Different schools have different priorities and the most important thing to take note of is that you have to make sure the school you are attending is approved by the State Board of Cosmetology or other State Licensing Agency.

The List of Cosmetology Schools in Birmingham Alabama

  • Body Logic School of Cosmetology, Esthetics & Massage Therapy
  • Southeastern School of Cosmetology
  • Paul Mitchell The School Birmingham
  • Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute -Birmingham
  • Winonah School of Cosmetology
  • P2p Certification & Training Institute
  • East Lake Beauty College
  • Hueytown Beauty School
  • Alabama State College of Barber Styling
  • Aveda
  • Nunation School of Cosmetology
  • Lawson State Community College
  • Bevill State Community College

Let us review some of these cosmetology schools in Birmingham Alabama.

Winonah school of cosmetology

Address: 1870 Chace Dr #140, Birmingham, AL 35244, United States| Phone: +1 205-703-8070

Winonah School of Cosmetology is a family-owned and managed cosmetology schools in Birmingham Alabama.

Founded in 1986, the school was one of the first private cosmetology schools to be licensed in the State of Alabama.

Winonah School of Cosmetology has a long-held history of training highly qualified practitioners of Cosmetology and the beauty culture arts. 

The following reasons are why you should choose Winonah:

  • Open Enrollment for all Programs
  • Federal Financial Aid (For those who qualify)
  • Both Day & Night Programs
  • In-House Financing
  • VA & Rehab Partnership
  • Highly Trained Instructors
  • Latest Equipment, Techniques, and Products
  • High-quality curriculum
  • Real-world experience in our fully equipped salon
  • Easily Accessible Location
  • Competitively Priced
  • Friendly and caring Staff

They offer Federal Student Aid to those who qualify. They have a cosmetology program refresher, a manicure program, Instructor Program (650 Hours), Natural Hair Stylist Program, and Instructor Program (1500 Hours). Visit their Website.

Body Logic School of Cosmetology, Esthetics & Massage Therapy

5511 Highway 280, Suite 210, Birmingham, AL 35242

Founded in 2009, Body Logic School of Cosmetology and Esthetics began as a small, privately owned school located on Highway 280 in Birmingham, Alabama.

It is one of the cosmetology schools in Birmingham Alabama where students who graduate from this school have the knowledge and confidence they need to achieve their dreams while successfully passing the Alabama Board of Cosmetology and Esthetics Licensure. Visit their Website.


Southeastern School of Cosmetology

  • Location: Birmingham, AL / Online
  • Course Length: 2 hours – 9 months
  • Price: $1,500 – $1,500

Southeastern School of Cosmetology (SESC) is located in Birmingham, AL, but also offers classes online.

This school offers training in 4 qualifications, with the most reviewed qualifications being Cosmetology License, Manicure License and Master.

The time to complete this education training ranges from 2 hours to 9 months and it depends on the qualification, with a median time to complete it of 4.6 months.

The cost to attend the Southeastern School of Cosmetology (SESC) is $1,500.

When asked how they paid for their training, most reviewers responded, “I received grants and/or scholarship funding”.


Paul Mitchell The School Birmingham

1694 Montgomery Hwy #124, Hoover, AL 35216, United States


Paul Mitchell The School Birmingham was established in 2005.

Paul Mitchell The School Birmingham is one of the first Paul Mitchell Schools in the country.

They occupy an industrial space in the Centre of Riverchase Shopping Center.

Their cosmetology school students are surrounded by glitz and glamour, as the high-end stores nearby provide students with both inspiration and experience.

Their convenient location, along with their talented Future Professionals, are two reasons why so many guests visit their cosmetology school to feel beautiful and pampered.

cosmetology school is all about changing lives and making lifelong dreams come true.


Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute -Birmingham

Address: 671 N Glebe Rd Suite 1280, Arlington, VA 22203, United States| Phone: +1 571-366-4809

Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute -Birmingham has a rigorous curriculum that stresses on the personal wellness as a means to professional excellence.

They offer a promising path for students who are striving towards a career in the exciting world of beauty and fashion.

Their cosmetology program is fast-paced, challenging, and supervised students train directly with guests in real world salon and spa environments. The hands-on practice of their craft prepares students to begin their careers in the beauty and spa industries.

Also, their esthiology program prepares students for a future as skin care specialists. Every graduate will be trained in facials, waxing, makeup application, business development, wellness and retail knowledge.

The cost to attend Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute Charlotte ranges from $70 to $22,500 depending on the qualification, with a median cost of $11,500.

East Lake Beauty College

  • East Lake Beauty College
    6732 1st Ave S
    Birmingham, AL 35212

Attending a beauty school in Birmingham Alabama that is accredited by the Department of Education is a helpful way to start your career as a beauty professional.

Obtaining a certification from an accredited AL cosmetology school will ensure that you have met or exceeded industry standards.

Choosing a school that is also a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools and apart of the Chamber of Commerce in Alabama would be a smart decision.

It’s just another way to associate yourself with an organization that has an excellent reputation in the community. This is where East Lake Beauty College gets it right.


Hueytown Beauty School

Hueytown Beauty School is accredited by by the State Board of Cosmetology.

  • 117 Hueytown Plz (10,098.54 km)
  • 35023 Hueytown, AL, US
  • +1 205-491-5570


Alabama State College of Barber Styling

Address: 753 Main St, Gardendale, AL 35071, United States| Phone: +1 205-631-8898


Alabama State College of Barber Styling is a non-degree granting school.

Alabama State College of Barber Styling is also a private (for-profit), less than 2 years institute located in Gardendale, Alabama.

 The 2022 tuition & fees are $9,850 for undergraduate students.

The school offers only undergraduate programs.

The average received amount of financial aid is $4,966 and 58% of undergraduate students received grants or scholarship aid.


Nunation School of Cosmetology

Address: 3104 Ensley 5 Points W Ave, Birmingham, AL 35208, United States| Phone: +1 205-788-6740

Nunation School of Cosmetology is a 2-year college.

It is a 2-year college that offers programs that lead towards a Certificate or Associate’s Degree.

Some students decide to transfer to a 4-year after attending a 2-year in order to complete their Bachelor’s degree.

There are part-time students at Nunation School of Cosmetology.

Generally, a student is part-time when they are taking somewhere between 6 and 11 credits, or 2 to 3 classes per term.

On the other hand, full-time is a minimum of 12 credits, or about 4 classes per term.


Lawson State Community College

Address: 3060 Wilson Rd SW, Birmingham, AL 35221, United States| Phone: +1 205-925-2515

Lawson State Community College Cosmetology program is one of the oldest and most established Cosmetology programs in the Birmingham area offering an affordable quality education .

Their comprehensive curriculum is designed to develop knowledge, skills and techniques necessary to prepare students for the state licensure examination and successful initial employment.

They have proudly produced many of the top stylist and premier beauty industry owners in the state. 

See Program Details.


Bevill State Community College

At Bevill State Community College, the they offer classes like:

  • Introduction to Cosmetology
  • Introduction to Cosmetology Lab
  • Theory of Chemical Services
  • Chemical Services Lab
  • Hair Coloring Theory
  • Basic Spa Techniques Lab
  • Business of Cosmetology
  • Cosmetology Salon Practices
  • Esthetics Theory
  • Hair Shaping and Design Theory

Average Cost After Aid: $8,090

Address: 1411 Indiana Ave, Jasper, AL 35501, United States: Phone: +1 800-648-3271

Visit their Website

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of the questions people often ask when it comes to the cosmetology schools in Birmingham Alabama.

How long is Aveda cosmetology school?

Aveda is offering hybrid learning to their cosmetology and esthetics programs. They combine online and on-campus education, they also combine technology with traditional education to ensure students have a cutting edge learning experience.

Cosmetology Program 1500-1600 hours | 52-56 weeks
Advanced Cosmetology Program300 hours | 8-10 weeks 
Cosmetology Instructor Program 800-1000 hours | 24-26 weeks
Night Program 1,500-1,600 hours | 62-66 weeks

It is also important to note that this is one of the cosmetology schools in Birmingham Alabama where federal student aid is available to qualified students.

Those who qualify may be awarded a Pell grant, Direct Subsidized and/or Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, and/or Direct Parent Plus loan. In order to be considered for aid, a student must complete a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), which is available at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

The amount off financial aid a student qualifies for depends a lot on the Expected Family Contributio (EFC) and that is determined by the applicant’s FAFSA application.

What are the Best colleges for cosmetology in Alabama?

Below is a list of the best cosmetology colleges and universities in Alabama:

  1. Shelton State Community College
  2. George C Wallace Community College-Dothan
  3. Northeast Alabama Community College
  4. Lurleen B Wallace Community College
  5. John C Calhoun State Community College
  6. George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville
  7. Bevill State Community College
  8. J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College
  9. Gadsden State Community College
  10. Lawson State Community College-Birmingham Campus

These schools will give you a strong foundation in hair, skin, and nail services when you enrol in any of their programs. They have beauty programs such as cosmetology, esthetics, educator program, and nail technology.

How long is cosmetology schools in Alabama?

1,500 education hours or 3,000 apprentice hours are required to become licensed.

But before you can be qualified to get that education, you must:

  • Be at least 16 years old
  • Complete at least 10th grade

Once you have completed your 1,500 hours of education in an approved cosmetology program, then you must take and pass both written and practical exams. Afterwards you apply for your license and pay  $50 fee.

Therefore, most cosmetology majors or programs typically take 2 years and can be completed at any community and technical colleges or specialised cosmetology schools.

Each institution will have their own unique set of requirements and processes that needs to be adhered to. 

What is the highest paying cosmetology job?

According to bestaccreditedcolleges.org, the following jobs are the high-paying cosmetology jobs to look out for:

Theatrical and Performance Makeup Artist$106,920(2020)
Skincare Specialist$36,510 (2020)
Beauty Copywriter$53,246 (copywriters, 2021)
Corporate Trainer$56,862 (2021)
Public Relations Specialist$62,810 (2020)
Source:U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, PayScale.com

In terms of job growth, between 2019 to 2029, there is an expected 11% job growth for the Theatrical and Performance Makeup Artists, 17% job growth for the Skincare Specialists, 9% job growth for Corporate Trainers, and 7% job growth for Public Relations Specialist.

What are your thoughts about the cosmetology schools in Birmingham Alabama? Please share your thoughts with us.

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