Wilmington Cosmetology School

The Aveda Institute in Wilmington, NC was founded to create some of the most successful entrepreneurs in hair, skin and nail esthetics, makeup, massage and total body wellness. Our students are educated by accomplished professionals, using innovative curriculums that blend professional techniques with retail and business-building skills.

The Aveda Institute Wilmington emphasizes personal well-being as well as environmental responsibility. Using Aveda pure flower and plant essences and plant-based products, we affirm the relationship between personal beauty, wellness and the environment.

 

Great Stories Start at Aveda Institutes

Levi Gragg

Senior Stylist, Nurtur Salon + Spa

Columbus, OH

It was one of the first times I thought, oh my god this is a career that I haven’t thought about that opens up a lot of doors for me.

Aubrey Cole

Marketing Team Lead at Nurtur Aveda Institutes

Loveland, OH

When I toured the Aveda Institute I felt this energy in my soul that said this is the environment I want to be in.

Cindy Maxwell

Clinic Floor Team Lead at Aveda Institute

Columbus, OH

You only get one chance to go around in this world. Be happy & do what you love!

Ashley Thomas

Educator at Aveda Fredric's Institute

Indianapolis, IN

Cosmetology was something I had thought about, but I had never seriously considered because I thought it was just a non-starter. Then I heard about the Aveda Institute and it just wouldn't leave my mind once I heard about it.

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.

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.

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 11 Months!

By submitting this form, you are giving your express written consent for Aveda Institute to contact you regarding our programs and services using email, telephone, or text - including our use of automated technology for calls and periodic texts to any wireless number you provide. Message and data rates may apply. This consent is not required to purchase goods/services.

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

COSMETOLOGY PROGRAM

1500 hours

Express your creativity and talent in hair, skin, nail care and makeup application. Our cosmetology program at the Aveda Institute in Wilmington, NC incorporates 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 licensing exam. 

COSMETOLOGY INSTRUCTOR PROGRAM

800 hours

Each year, the Aveda Institute Wilmington selects a very limited number of graduates to participate in its Cosmetology Instructor Training Program. Our cosmetology instructor training program consists of 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.

We're excited to announce the 2025 Brilliant Future Scholarship Contest. This is an opportunity for graduating 2025 high school seniors starting our cosmetology program in June, July, or August 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.

Aveda Institute Wilmington School Code – 013850

Complete the FAFSA Online
My FAFSA ID

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.

  • Depending on consistent attendance, it takes 42 scheduled weeks to complete the 1500 hour Cosmetology Program consisting of Hair, Skin, Nail Care, and Makeup Application.

  • Depending on consistent attendance, it takes 42 scheduled weeks to complete the 1500 hour Cosmetology Program consisting of Hair, Skin, Nail Care, and Makeup Application.  Upon completion, you will be ready to take the North Carolina Licensing Exam.

  • 42 Weeks | 1500 Hours of Cosmetology School will enable you to be ready to take the North Carolina Licensing Exam.

  • Throughout the year we offer a number of different schedule options to let students choose the schedule that works for them.

  • The cost for students at Aveda Institute Wilmington is $21,042.50, which includes tuition, student kit charges and other expenses as well. Federal Financial Aid is available for students who qualify.

  • To qualify for cosmetology licensure in North Carolina, you must attend a licensed school and complete the state of North Carolina's minimum required training hours and then take the state's cosmetology board exams.

  • No, a U.S. High School Diploma (or U.S. equivalent) is required.

  • Hair cutting, hair styling, hair color, skin care, makeup, nails, waxing and more!

  • Cosmetology is the art and science of beauty care. A cosmetologist is an expert in beautifying the hair, skin and nails. Branches of specialty include hairstyling, skin care, nail care, and hair removal.

  • Cosmetologists are commonly found working in salons, Estheticians are typically found in spas. While they share common ground, cosmetologists provide a wide variety of beauty services that are more focused around hair but include basic esthetics skills  and estheticians focus on skin care services and are not licensed to do hair services.

  • Cosmetologists learn everything about hair, but they also learn other services in the fields of esthetics and nails. Barbering is limited to men’s hair care and grooming.

  • Cosmetology school and beauty school are just different names for the same education.

  • Currently, some states allow a percentage of your cosmetology program to be done online. The percentage allowed for online education varies by state.

Results-based skin care

Start your ultra skin journey with Ultraceuticals

Learn More

Cosmetology Blog

Brilliant Future Scholarship

We're excited to announce our annual Brilliant Future Scholarship. This is an opportunity for 2025 graduating high school seniors who start in our 2025 classes to be awarded a scholarship toward their education! GUIDELINES AND RULES To qualify for the Brilliant Future...

Gift Guide at Aveda

You can’t go wrong with a gift from Aveda Institute! Book your bestie a facial, massage, blowout, upstyle, body treatment, manicure, and more! Can’t decide? A gift card from Aveda Institute is the perfect gift for any occasion!  Aveda Institute is committed to using organic...

New Year, New Career in Beauty

The new year is a great time to express your creativity with the award-winning cosmetology program at Aveda Institute!  The field of cosmetology is always growing and there will always be a demand for career opportunities as beauty professionals. If you have a passion for beauty,...

In Person vs. Online Cosmetology School

The flexibility of learning online vs in person for the foundation of your education in cosmetology and esthetics is key for many!  Express your creativity and talent in hair, skin, nail care, and makeup application. Upon completion, you will be ready to take the licensing exam! Aveda...

Is Cosmetology or Esthetics a Better Fit

Cosmetology programs cover a wider range of skills but in less depth, while Esthetics programs offer in-depth study of skincare and its related practices. Cosmetology can be defined in many terms: hair stylist, artist, expert in applying cosmetic procedures and skin care, and many more!...

Get the Skills to be a Beauty Professional

By submitting this form, you are giving your express written consent for Aveda Institute to contact you regarding our programs and services using email, telephone, or text - including our use of automated technology for calls and periodic texts to any wireless number you provide. Message and data rates may apply. This consent is not required to purchase goods/services.