Nail Technician
Program Summary
A program that prepares individuals to shape fingernails and toenails, remove unwanted skin and blemishes, apply polish and cosmetics to nails, and function as licensed manicurists or nail technicians/specialists. Includes instruction in manicuring theory; skin anatomy; nail growth, irregularities, and diseases; sterilization and sanitation; equipment and table maintenance; cuticle, blemish, and rough skin removal; nail filing, shaping, and polishing; cream application and extremity massage; nail sculpture and design art; product storage and use; customer service; laws and regulations; and business practices.
Discover More About a Degree in Nail Technician

Individuals interested in a career as a nail technician must first obtain the skills and education necessary to perform one's duties through an accredited nail technician program. Such programs are typically offered through community colleges, career colleges and schools, or specialty schools for cosmetology. Nail technician programs will vary in length, but most will take less than a year to complete and result in a certificate or diploma demonstrating one's competency. Students enrolled in a nail technician program will learn to shape and manicure nails, attend to blotchy or dry skin, maintain equipment and how to sterilize it, and provide other treatments. Programs will have student practice on one another or through a salon, some schools may provide internship opportunities, while others will have a location on campus. This practical experience is beneficial and may be used to assist in finding work after graduation. IN addition, students will learn about business operation and customer service in order to establish and maintain a business.
A curriculum for nail technicians may include:
- Nail Structure
- Manicure and Pedicure Techniques
- Nail Art
- Cosmetology Law
- Salon Development
Individuals who have graduated a nail technician program must first seek licensure by their state prior to being able to work as a technician. LIcensure requirements will vary by state, but often have a minimum age limit and an exam. Some state may require a certain amount of supervised hours as well. Many states will require regular renewal of a license, either through reexamination, an annual fee, continuing education courses or some combination of the three.
Once licensed, an individual will most likely pursue work at an existing salon or spa, developing a client base and broadening his or her skills. Nail technicians typically work 40 hours a week, though the many will work evening hours which tend to be the busiest for this type of work. Individuals will shape nails, paint them, attend to cuticle, work on splotchy skin, provide, and educate clients to proper nail and skin care. Individuals may pursue entrepreneurial opportunities, particularly those who have a large client base or have years of experience in the field.
Job growth is expected to increase rapidly over the next decade due to an increased interest in maintaining healthy and youthful appearances, including skin and nails. The average salary for a nail technician is approximately $22,000 per year, but may increase based on experience, skill, demand and ownership.
Individuals interested in becoming a nail technician may also be interested in cosmetology, esthetics or hair styling.
Top Schools That Offer a Nail Technician Degree or Program
4-Year Colleges and Universities
| Idaho State University | |
- Pocatello, ID
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| Indian River State College | |
- Fort Pierce, FL
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| Palm Beach State College | |
- Lake Worth, FL
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| Pensacola State College | |
- Pensacola, FL
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Community Colleges
| Asheville - Buncombe Technical Community College | |
- Asheville, NC
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| Brevard Community College | |
- Cocoa, FL
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| Central Georgia Technical College | |
- Macon, GA
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| Century College | |
- White Bear Lake, MN
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| Coastal Bend College | |
- Beeville, TX
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| Coastal Carolina Community College | |
- Jacksonville, NC
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| Colorado Northwestern Community College | |
- Rangely, CO
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| Columbus Technical College | |
- Columbus, GA
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| Davis Applied Technology College | |
- Kaysville, UT
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| Eastern Wyoming College | |
- Torrington, WY
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| Edgecombe Community College | |
- Tarboro, NC
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| El Paso Community College | |
- El Paso, TX
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| Fayetteville Technical Community College | |
- Fayetteville, NC
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| Florence - Darlington Technical College | |
- Florence, SC
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| Georgia Northwestern Technical College | |
- Rome, GA
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| Grayson County College | |
- Denison, TX
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| Horry - Georgetown Technical College | |
- Conway, SC
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| Isothermal Community College | |
- Spindale, NC
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| Johnson County Community College | |
- Overland Park, KS
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| Kansas City Kansas Community College | |
- Kansas City, KS
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| Kilgore College | |
- Kilgore, TX
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| Lake Land College | |
- Mattoon, IL
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| Lurleen B Wallace Community College | |
- Andalusia, AL
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| Minnesota State Community and Technical College | |
- Fergus Falls, MN
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| Minnesota West Community and Technical College | |
- Granite Falls, MN
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| North Central Texas College | |
- Gainesville, TX
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| Pueblo Community College | |
- Pueblo, CO
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| Pulaski Technical College | |
- North Little Rock, AR
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| Ridgewater College | |
- Willmar, MN
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| Roanoke - Chowan Community College | |
- Ahoskie, NC
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| Rowan - Cabarrus Community College | |
- Salisbury, NC
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| Shelton State Community College | |
- Tuscaloosa, AL
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| South Georgia Technical College | |
- Americus, GA
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| Southern Crescent Technical College | |
- Griffin, GA
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| Trinidad State Junior College | |
- Trinidad, CO
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| Trinity Valley Community College | |
- Athens, TX
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| Wiregrass Georgia Technical College | |
- Valdosta, GA
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Technical Colleges
| Bridgerland Applied Technology College | |
- Logan, UT
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| Lake Technical Center | |
- Eustis, FL
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| Lindsey Hopkins Technical Education Center | |
- Miami, FL
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| Lorenzo Walker Institute of Technology | |
- Naples, FL
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| Manatee Technical Institute | |
- Bradenton, FL
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| Marion County Community Technical and Adult Education Center | |
- Ocala, FL
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| Metro Technology Centers | |
- Oklahoma City, OK
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| Ridge Career Center | |
- Winter Haven, FL
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| Robert Morgan Educational Center | |
- Miami, FL
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| Sarasota County Technical Institute | |
- Sarasota, FL
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| Walton Career Development Center | |
- DeFuniak Springs, FL
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| Westside Tech | |
- Winter Garden, FL
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| Winter Park Tech | |
- Winter Park, FL
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Career Colleges
| Abc Beauty Academy | |
- Garland, TX
| 2011-12 Largest Program Tuition and Fees
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| Academy of Career Training | |
- Kissimmee, FL
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| Academy of Hair Design | |
- Las Vegas, NV
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| Academy of Nail Skin and Hair | |
- Billings, MT
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| Advance Beauty College | |
- Garden Grove, CA
| 2011-12 Largest Program Tuition and Fees
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| Alhambra Beauty College | |
- Alhambra, CA
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| Altoona Beauty School Inc | |
- Altoona, PA
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| Asian American International Beauty College | |
- Westminster, CA
| 2011-12 Largest Program Tuition and Fees
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| Asm Beauty World Academy | |
- Davie, FL
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| Atlanta Beauty Academy | |
- Doraville, GA
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| Beauty Schools of America-Hialeah | |
- Hialeah, FL
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| Beauty Schools of America-Homestead | |
- Homestead, FL
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| Beauty Schools of America-Miami | |
- Miami, FL
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| Beckley Beauty Academy | |
- Beckley, WV
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| Bellefonte Academy of Beauty | |
- Russell, KY
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| Bellingham Beauty School | |
- Bellingham, WA
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| Bellus Academy-National City | |
- National City, CA
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| Buck's County School of Beauty Culture Inc | |
- Feasterville, PA
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| Cameo College of Essential Beauty | |
- Murray, UT
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| Capilo School of Hair Design | |
- Augusta, ME
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| Capri College-Davenport | |
- Davenport, IA
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| Capri College-Dubuque | |
- Dubuque, IA
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| Carson City Beauty Academy | |
- Carson City, NV
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| Casal Aveda Institute | |
- Austintown, OH
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| Celebrity School of Beauty | |
- Miami, FL
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| Charleston School of Beauty Culture | |
- Charleston, WV
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| Chris Beauty College | |
- Gulfport, MS
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| Clarksburg Beauty Academy and School of Massage Therapy | |
- Clarksburg, WV
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| Clary Sage College | |
- Tulsa, OK
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| Coastline Beauty College | |
- Fountain Valley, CA
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| Continental School of Beauty Culture | |
- Mattydale, NY
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| Continental School of Beauty Culture-Rochester | |
- Rochester, NY
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| Cosmetology School of Arts and Sciences | |
- Burley, ID
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| Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology-North Dayton | |
- Dayton, OH
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| Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology-South Dayton | |
- Dayton, OH
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| Delta Montrose Technical College | |
- Delta, CO
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| Eastern Hills Academy of Hair Design | |
- Cincinnati, OH
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| Evergreen Beauty & Barber College-Everett | |
- Everett, WA
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| Expertise Cosmetology Institute | |
- Las Vegas, NV
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| Fairview Beauty Academy | |
- Fairview Park, OH
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| First Coast Technical College | |
- Saint Augustine, FL
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| Flagler Technical Institute | |
- Palm Coast, FL
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| Fortis Institute-Jacksonville | |
- Jacksonville, FL
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| Genesis Career College | |
- Cookeville, TN
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| Georgia Career Institute | |
- Conyers, GA
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| Gerbers Akron Beauty School | |
- Akron, OH
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| Gill - Tech Academy | |
- Appleton, WI
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| Glen Dow Academy of Hair Design | |
- Spokane, WA
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| Guti the Premier Beauty & Wellness Academy | |
- Bradenton, FL
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| Hair Dynamics Education Center | |
- Fort Collins, CO
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| Hair Professionals Academy of Cosmetology | |
- West Dundee, IL
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| Inner State Beauty School | |
- Lyndhurst, OH
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| International Academy of Style | |
- Reno, NV
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| International Beauty Academy | |
- Philadelphia, PA
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| International Beauty School 4 | |
- Martinsburg, WV
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| International College of Cosmetology | |
- Oakland, CA
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| International Salon and Spa Academy | |
- Colorado Springs, CO
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| International School of Skin, Nailcare & Massage Therapy | |
- Atlanta, GA
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| La Belle Beauty Academy | |
- Miami, FL
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| La Belle Beauty School | |
- Hialeah, FL
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| La James College of Hairstyling and Cosmetology | |
- Mason City, IA
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| La James International College-Johnston | |
- Johnston, IA
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| Labaron Hairdressing Academy | |
- Overland Park, KS
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| Long Island Nail & Skin Care Institute | |
- Levittown, NY
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| Lowell Academy Hairstyling Institute | |
- Lowell, MA
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| M - Dcps the English Center | |
- Miami, FL
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| Manhattan Hairstyling Academy | |
- Tampa, FL
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| Margate School of Beauty Inc | |
- Margate, FL
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| Maricopa Beauty College LLC | |
- Avondale, AZ
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| Marinello Schools of Beauty-Layton | |
- Layton, UT
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| Marinello Schools of Beauty-Reno | |
- Reno, NV
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| Michigan College of Beauty-Troy | |
- Troy, MI
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| Monmouth County Vocational School District | |
- Neptune, NJ
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| Mountaineer Beauty College | |
- Saint Albans, WV
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| My Le's Beauty College | |
- Sacramento, CA
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| My-Le's Beauty College | |
- Gretna, LA
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| National Beauty College | |
- Denver, CO
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| New England Hair Academy | |
- Malden, MA
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| P&a Scholars Beauty School | |
- Detroit, MI
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| Palace Beauty College | |
- Los Angeles, CA
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| Pat Wilsons Beauty College | |
- Henderson, KY
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| Phagans Central Oregon Beauty College | |
- Bend, OR
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| Phagans Medford Beauty School | |
- Medford, OR
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| Phagans School of Hair Design-Portland | |
- Portland, OR
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| Pickens Technical College | |
- Aurora, CO
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| Pj's College of Cosmetology-Bowling Green | |
- Bowling Green, KY
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| Raphael's School of Beauty Culture Inc-Boardman | |
- Boardman, OH
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| Raphael's School of Beauty Culture Inc-Niles | |
- Niles, OH
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| Ravenscroft Beauty College | |
- Fort Wayne, IN
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| Razzle Dazzle College of Hair Design | |
- Nampa, ID
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| Rosemead Beauty School | |
- Rosemead, CA
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| Schuylkill Technology Center | |
- Frackville, PA
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| Sebring Career Schools-Houston | |
- Houston, TX
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| South Hills Beauty Academy Inc | |
- Pittsburgh, PA
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| State College of Beauty Culture Inc | |
- Wausau, WI
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| Sunstate Academy | |
- Fort Myers, FL
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| Superior Career Institute | |
- Lauderdale Lakes, FL
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| The Institute of Beauty and Wellness | |
- Milwaukee, WI
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| The Salon Professional Academy-Great Falls | |
- Great Falls, MT
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| The Spa School | |
- Columbus, OH
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| Total Cosmetology Training Center | |
- Spokane, WA
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| Tramy Beauty School | |
- San Diego, CA
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| Trend Setters Academy - Louisville | |
- Louisville, KY
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| Trend Setters Academy of Beauty Culture - Elizabethtown | |
- Elizabethtown, KY
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| Trend Setters' Academy of Beauty Culture | |
- Louisville, KY
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| United Beauty College | |
- Denver, CO
| Tuition and Fees
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| University of Cosmetology Arts & Sciences-Mcallen | |
- McAllen, TX
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