WHICH PROGRAM IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

Great Stories Start at Aveda Institutes

Daniel Holzberger

Salon Owner, Award-Winning Stylist, Van Michael Salon

Atlanta, GA

At this point, I have worked editorial, I’ve done hair shows, I’ve done education for Aveda for years and years and years. I’ve worked behind the chair, I’ve owned salons , I’ve owned barber shops, I own a scissor company, I’ve even worked for Aveda in a warehouse. If you go into cosmetology your options are limitless, they really are.

Stefanie Fox Jackson

Owner at Canvas Salon and Skin Bar

Columbus, OH

I started cosmetology school when I was 18. I actually gave up a full ride academic scholarship four weeks in to college. When the Aveda Institute opened in Columbus, it was the very first school that was prestigious for beauty in the Columbus area. When a great school opened up I think it was giving me permission to make that decision.

Johnny Haeger

Celebrity & Freelance Stylist, Self-Employed

New York, NY

Its great being my own boss but I don’t think I would have been able to do any of that without the ton of education and foundation I received from Aveda

Sam Williams

Educator at Aveda Fredric's Institute

Indianapolis, IN

Seeing how the instructors interacted with the students & wanted them to succeed inspired me to want to be that person.

Patrice Castleman

Esthetics Educator at Aveda Institute

Columbus, OH

I like to talk a lot & meet new people. Teaching has always come naturally.

Becca Goodson

Education Manager

Aveda Institute Chapel Hill

I don't want to be anywhere near the mold. I just want to be me and I want to help other people be themselves.

Marie Pannell-Biggs

Educator at Aveda Institute

Columbus, OH

I was working at a beautiful salon where I met someone that invited me to do New York Fashion Week

Savina N. Woods

Owner/Creator, Porcelain Doll Beauty

Charlotte, NC

I started Porcelain Dolls Beauty, which is a custom wig line. I have my own hair extension line as well, but my brand mostly focuses on women with hair loss issues, like alopecia, hair loss from chemo, and things of that nature.

Become a Cosmetologist in 13 Months!

COSMETOLOGY PROGRAM

1500-1600 hours | 52-56 weeks

Express your creativity and talent in hair, skin, nail care and makeup application. Our cosmetology program at the Nurtur Aveda Institutes incorporates at least 1,500 hours of extensive hands-on learning to provide you a complete understanding of beauty and wellness. Upon completion, you will be ready to take the state licensing exam. All cosmetology students will receive Level I MUD Makeup Certification with the option for further MUD Certifications upon graduation.

ADVANCED COSMETOLOGY PROGRAM

(only available in Ohio)
300 hours | 8-10 weeks 

Select Nurtur Aveda Institutes offer an advanced cosmetology program that provides knowledge that the State requires for managing cosmetology. Upon completion you will be ready to take the state licensing exam.

COSMETOLOGY INSTRUCTOR PROGRAM

(Not Offered In Los Angeles)
800-1000 hours | 24-26 weeks

Each year, the Nurtur Aveda Institute selects a very limited number of graduates to participate in its Cosmetology and Esthetics Instructor Training Program. Our cosmetology instructor training program consists of at least 800 hours of classroom and hands-on training combined. Students completing the instructor training program will receive the education necessary to become licensed as cosmetology instructors.

Award winning education

We pride ourselves on providing high quality education to our students. Our Institutes and students have been honored by Modern Salon Magazine, the North American Hairstyling Awards, the Professional Beauty Association and more!

See our awards

Photos by Keith Bryce

We're excited to announce our annual Brilliant Future Scholarship. This is an opportunity for 2026 graduating high school seniors who start in our 2026 summer classes to be awarded a scholarship toward their education!

More Info

Federal Financial Aid

Federal student aid is available to qualified students. Those that 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 of financial aid that a student may be awarded is based on a student’s EFC (Expected Family Contribution), which is determined by his or her FAFSA application.

Nurtur Aveda Fredric's Institute Cincinnati School Code – 038373
Nurtur Aveda Institute Indianapolis School Code – 041559
Nurtur Aveda Institute Columbus School Code – 041378
Nurtur Aveda Institute Chapel Hill School Code – 041407
Nurtur Aveda Institute Des Moines School Code – 042033
Nurtur Aveda Institute Wilmington School Code – 013850

Complete the FAFSA Online

Veterans Education Benefits

Students eligible for Veterans Education benefits may be able to use these funds to help finance their education. Our institute currently accepts all forms of Veterans Education benefits, with the exception of the yellow ribbon program. The school will not impose any penalty, including the assessment of late fees, the denial of access to classes, libraries, or other instructional facilities, or the requirement that a covered individual borrow additional funds, on any covered individual because of the individual’s inability to meet his or her financial obligations to the institution due to the delayed disbursement funding from the VA.

For more information regarding Veterans Education benefits, contact VA’s National call center at 1-888-442-4551 or visit www.va.gov. For additional information, eligibility criteria, and instructions on how to apply for VA Educational Benefits”, visit benefits.va.gov/gibill.

  • Cosmetology is the professional study and application of beauty treatments. While many people associate it primarily with hairstyling, a licensed cosmetologist is actually a "master of all trades" in the beauty world. Learn more about Cosmetology here. 

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Cosmetology Blog

60 Nurtur Aveda Institute Students Selected for the 2026 PBA Beacon Program

This year, 60 Nurtur Aveda Institute students were selected to participate in the Professional Beauty Association’s 2026 Beacon Student Program. With this year’s class, 436 of our students have been selected for Beacon since 2005. The PBA Beacon program gives beauty school...

Nurtur Aveda Institute Columbus Student Derek Robinson Named 2026 NAHA Student Hairstylist of the Year

Derek Robinson has officially earned one of the highest honors a cosmetology student can achieve. The Nurtur Aveda Institute Columbus student has been named the 2026 Student Hairstylist of the Year at the Professional Beauty Association’s North American Hairstyling Awards...

Nurtur Aveda Institutes Student Jaleiah McNeil Named Finalist in National Intercoiffure Competition

We’re excited to celebrate Jaleiah McNeil, a Nurtur Aveda Institutes student who has been named one of just five finalists in the 2026 Intercoiffure America Canada Student Contest! Presented by Intercoiffure America Canada (ICA) in partnership with Pivot Point International, the...

Chlorine Recovery: How to Save Your Hair from Pool Water

Summer pool days can wreck your hair. Learn the ultimate chlorine recovery routine to protect, detox, and repair pool-damaged hair using botanical care. There is nothing quite like a refreshing dip in the pool on a hot day. But while your mind and body love a good swim, your hair absolutely...

5 Soft Skills They Don’t Teach for the State Board (But You Need for the Salon)

Passing your State Board exam is a massive milestone. You’ve spent hours mastering the perfect 45-degree haircut, memorizing chemical compositions, and perfecting sanitation protocols. But once you step out of the testing room and onto the salon floor, you quickly realize that technical...

Get the Skills to be a Beauty Professional