Editor’s Note: One of the largest cities in the world, San Antonio provides plenty of options if you’re looking for a new career. Cosmetology schools are located across the city, and I find that there are many different programs available to you based on your specific interests and goals after graduation. My advice is to carefully consider each program’s pros and cons, the courses offered, and your budget – having an in-depth understanding of these items will help you figure out which program is the best fit for your lifestyle and educational needs.
San Antonio is the second biggest city in Texas, with a population of 1.5 million as of 2019. San Antonio is responsible for a large portion of Texas’s annual tourism, bringing in around 39 million visitors each year. The city will make you remember the Alamo and the rich history of Texas, or maybe it’ll inspire you to indulge in some delicious Tex-Mex food on the Riverwalk.
While it may not be at the forefront of the city, the beauty scene in San Antonio is alive and well. The popular sunscreen brand Supergoop (sold in Sephora) began and is manufactured here, even though their HQ is in New York City. And the popular makeup brand that began on the internet, Morphe, opened one of its few stores in the North Star Mall.
If you enjoy going to events, keep an eye out for expos and classes about beauty. Drag queen shows, makeup workshops, and beauty and fashion vendor expo events are frequently held at several locations in the city.
What does this mean for prospective cosmetology students? It means that there’s a world of opportunity at your fingertips once you graduate from cosmetology school. There are a ton of locally-owned beauty brands popping up in the city, which means cosmetology and beauty brands are growing in popularity. Finding a salon to work at should be fairly easy, and if you choose to go in the direction of your own salon, you’ll have plenty of potential clients in the area.
Whether you’re looking for a company to work for or you want to start your own salon, San Antonio is the perfect place to attend cosmetology school and launch your career. You have millions of people right there for you to gain experience with while you’re in school and after you graduate.
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The Best Cosmetology Schools in San Antonio
We chose five of the best cosmetology schools in San Antonio and put them on this convenient list for you. We chose these schools because of their great reputation, positive reviews from both students and clients, and because of the variety they offer.
We think that these beauty schools have your future in mind and are genuinely seeking to help their students accomplish their career goals after graduating.
The reviews of these schools are based on their cosmetology courses. Many of them offer other courses in esthetics or marketing, but we didn’t focus our review on those aspects. All of these schools accept financial aid for qualifying students, so there’s sure to be something within your budget.
If picking the right school seems overwhelming, try our school finder to locate the right one for you.
Vogue College of Cosmetology
The Vogue College of Cosmetology has taught over 50,000 students over the course of 40 years. They’re a trusted name in Texas and New Mexico that students and clients are consistently pleased with.
Vogue has two locations in San Antonio and offers Spanish courses at both locations. Some of the things you’ll learn in the program include hair coloring, cutting, and styling, and manicures and pedicures, makeup, skincare, retailing products, and career development, which includes resume and interview development.
Cost: $15,895 total. Tuition is $13,995, the books and kit are $1,850, and registration and licensing fees are $50.
Program Length: The program requires 1,000 hours in total. The website doesn’t specify the duration of full-time and part-time classes, but prospective students can contact Admissions for this information.
Location: 1836 Fredericksburg Road, San Antonio, TX 78201, and 6012 Ingram Road, San Antonio, TX 78238
Financial Aid: Vogue accepts financial aid and has several resources linked on their website. They also offer no-interest payment plans for those who qualify.
Other Programs Offered: Vogue also offers courses in esthetics and nail tech. If you’re interested in becoming an instructor yourself, they also have courses for that, as well.
Link: www.vogue.edu
The Salon Professional Academy (TSPA) in San Antonio
The Salon Professional Academy, or TSPA, offers an excellent opportunity to receive an education in cosmetology and esthetics. The school is affordable and accepts financial aid and scholarships, so everyone can have an enrollment opportunity.
The cosmetology program teaches students makeup application techniques, as well as marketing skills, so graduates will be able to market themselves and find a steady stream of clients.
The professional beauty brand Redken recognizes TSPA as a professional school with a high-quality education, so you can be certain you’ll receive a useful education that will jumpstart your career.
Cost: Estimated up to $20,000. The total cost will depend on the program you choose and whether it’s full-time or part-time. You must contact Admissions for details.
Program Length: 1,000 hours is required. Full-time students can complete the course in 31 weeks. A part-time schedule can be arranged when speaking to Admissions.
Location: 16640 San Pedro Avenue, San Antonio, TX 78232
Financial Aid: The TSPA website offers several sources for scholarships and financial aid opportunities.
Other Programs Offered: They also offer an esthetics program for those who want to study skincare.
Link: www.tspasanantonio.com
Ogle School
Ogle School has several locations throughout Texas and has been preparing students for a cosmetology career since 1973. They offer cosmetology and esthetics programs as well as a course that focuses on the business side of cosmetology for the go-getters who want to start their own beauty business.
The cosmetology program has a lot to offer. It uses a digital curriculum for easy and convenient learning that also makes it easier to connect with other students and instructors. The cosmetology program will cover hair cutting, coloring, as well as styling, manicures, and facials. The esthetics program covers skincare and makeup.
Cost: Estimated cost starts at $13,000 for the cosmetology program. Prices will vary depending on a full-time or part-time schedule. Contact Admissions for more information.
Program Length: The full-time program can be completed in as little as seven months with a weekday schedule of 9 AM-5 PM. The part-time schedule can be completed in as little as 13 months with a weekday schedule of 6-9:30 PM.
Location: 742 N.W. Loop 410, Suite 226, San Antonio, TX 78216
Financial Aid: Admissions will be happy to help you find scholarships and financial aid opportunities to support your education.
Other Programs Offered: Other courses include esthetics, which focuses on skincare, and the Business Of Beauty program that teaches students how to attract and keep clients, manage schedules, and using social media marketing.
Link: www.ogleschool.edu
Paul Mitchell the School
Paul Mitchell The School has a unique cosmetology program that allows students to develop their craft in a comfortable environment. The course has three levels: Core, Adaptive, and Creative.
The Core level takes place in a classroom and teaches the basics, such as hair coloring, cutting, and styling, manicures and pedicures, makeup, and facials. The Adaptive level is part classroom part salon floor so students can move from mannequin heads to real people. The final level, Creative, prepares students to be salon-ready by building up a portfolio and working independently.
There’s an optional Phase Two that creates a challenging salon-like environment that prepares students for busy schedules, double booking, and quick decision-making.
Cost: The total cost is $16,202.59. This includes tuition, registration and student permit fees, the technical kit, textbook, and sales tax.
Program Length: The program requires 1,500 hours. Contact Admissions for information about how long the program takes.
Location: 18402 US Highway 281, Suite 124, San Antonio, TX 78259
Financial Aid: Scholarships are accepted, as are some forms of financial aid. Contact the Financial Aid Leader to learn more about which financial aid programs the San Antonio location accepts. There are also military benefits for qualifying students.
Other Programs Offered: Paul Mitchell the School also offers courses in barbering, esthetics, and an instructor program.
Link: www.paulmitchell.edu
University of Cosmetology Arts & Sciences
The University of Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (UCAS) has two locations in San Antonio that have been operating since the 1960s. They’re a trusted name in the city, and there are a few other locations in Texas.
UCAS offers cosmetology courses that teach you all about hair and skin. The cosmetology course will prepare students for entry-level jobs once they’re graduated so they can launch their career in the world of beauty.
If you’re interested in skincare and manicuring, they offer separate courses for each one of those, as well. Once you’ve graduated, there are courses to become a cosmetology instructor if you’d like to go that direction.
Cost: Estimated cost for tuition and fees is $13,350. Contact Admissions for more information.
Program Length: The cosmetology course requires 1,000 hours. For more information about the duration of the course, contact Admissions.
Location: 4522 Fredericksburg Road, A-85, San Antonio, Texas 78201 and 910 South East Military Drive, Suite 100, San Antonio, Texas 78214
Financial Aid: Financial aid and scholarships are accepted for students who qualify for them.
Other Programs Offered: Other courses for esthetician, manicurist, and instructor are also available.
Link: www.ucastx.com
Picking the Best Cosmetology School For You
A professional cosmetology certification is an expensive but rewarding endeavor and can open up a lifelong career within the beauty industry. But if none of the above courses inspire you to enroll, why not consider a rewarding new career as a professional makeup artist?
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