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

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.

Natasha Perkins

Salon Development Partner at Aveda

Indianapolis, IN

I’ve always wanted to be a hairstylist.

Olivia Ochs

Professional Development at Aveda Institute

Columbus, OH

I know what it feels like to be in school and work a full-time job, and what it feels like to do the long daysand to work through feeling nervous.

Bethany Brown

Education Manager at Aveda Institute

Columbus, OH

Being a cosmetologist is something I’m passionate about, but my real purpose is to educate people.

Megan Bitterman

Educator at Aveda Institute Columbus

Columbus, OH

I went to a 4 year college... did corporate America for about 7 years and did not enjoy that grind whatsoever. I just did not feel the payoff. So, I found Aveda, took a tour and signed up!

Katie Hammonds

Education Manager at Aveda Fredric's Institute

Indianapolis, IN

Working on movie sets are moments that I’ll never forget.

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.

Toni Robinson

Educator at Aveda Institute

Chapel Hill, NC

If you enjoy your work then it doesn’t matter how many hours you put into it.

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
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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 the Post 9/11 GI Bill®, visit www.gibill.va.gov.

  • 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.

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A gift card from Aveda Institutes is the perfect gift for any occasion.  Aveda Institute is committed to using organic ingredients and Aveda products have an extensive product range. These range from color treatments, creams, lotions, shampoos, conditioners, facials, waxing and...

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Get the Skills to be a Beauty Professional

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