The Empire Beauty School has been educating future beauty professionals in Madison since 2000, providing both technical and business training. The three programs offered at the Madison location are cosmetology, esthetics and cosmetology educator training. Empire Beauty School is accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences, which allows students to apply for federal financial aid. Empire is also associated with the Regis Corporation, the largest hair salon chain in the world, providing opportunities for employment at thousands of salons nationwide. The Madison Metro bus line is easily accessible from the school, making commuting easy.
With 80 campuses across the country, Regency Beauty Institute is one of the largest beauty schools in the U.S. The Madison campus is accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences and offers financial aid to those who qualify. Regency Beauty prides itself on its career services, offering career fairs and internships throughout training, as well as nationwide job placement assistance for graduates. The Wisconsin cosmetology course is 1,800 hours long.
One of the Vici Aveda Institute's two Wisconsin locations is in Madison. The school offers an 1,800-hour cosmetology course covering hair styling, skin care, manicures/pedicures, rules and regulations of cosmetology, and business practices. It also offers a 600-hour course on esthiology, the study of skin care and hair removal. Classes are full time, Tuesday through Saturday, and begin every six weeks. Vici Aveda is nationally accredited, allowing students to apply for federal financial aid. The school also offers structured payment plans and a limited number of scholarships.
Madison Area Technical College offers a one-year technical diploma program at its Downtown Education Center called barber/cosmetology. Students take classes in cosmetology technique and theory, sales and advertising, and customer relations. Tuition is $106 per credit, resulting in a cost of about $6,000 for the one-year program. Students are also required to purchase a supply kit at the beginning of the course, which costs $1,500. Upon completion of the program, students are prepared to take the state board exam to receive certification.