Here are some tips for selecting schools, based on an analysis comparing each school to all others across dozens of factors:
Schools Concentrating On Hairdressers And Cosmetologists
- Focus: For schools with a focus on this career area, look at Guilford Technical Community College, Fayetteville Technical Community College, CFCC, and Robeson Community College.
Fastest Response From Schools
- Request Info: For the fastest information for prospective students, look at the Spotlight schools on this page.
Student Body
- Diverse: For a diverse student body, consider Robeson Community College, Edgecombe Community College, Roanoke-Chowan Community College, and Fayetteville Technical Community College.
- Adult Learners: For lots of adult learners, consider Edgecombe Community College, Pamlico Community College, Wilson Community College, and McDowell.
School Setting
- Out of State: For geographic diversity, take note of Southeastern Community College, Roanoke-Chowan Community College, Central Carolina Community College, and Brunswick.
Excellence
- Class Size: For small class sizes, look at Pamlico Community College, Martin Community College, Roanoke-Chowan Community College, and James Sprunt Community College.
Student/Alumnus Reviews of Schools for This Career and State
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Rockingham Community College • Wentworth, NC
Studying Cosmetology (completion in 2002)
• 9/18/2011
"I was not satisfied with the teachers or the school, I will never go back."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | no | I would never recommend the school. The learning doesn't compare to what you could learn if you go to a specific hair school. I would have saved money and went to Leon's Beauty if I had known that RCC would be this bad. |
| Program Reputation | 5 | This is one of the least expensive schools to go to. I really didn't have a choice but to go there. |
| Program Quality | 1 | I had an incompetent teacher who did more yelling than teaching. There was not enough knowledge conveyed by the teacher to students. |
| Instruction | 1 | Teachers didn't teach anything but old hairstyles. We barely had enough knowledge to pass the state board exam. |
| How Difficult | 1 | There's not enough to challenge me, the days are boring. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | All that’s required is two hours of class room training and five hours of salon training with live customers. This isn't enough to provide the variety or knowledge required. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 1 | We could miss only a certain number of classes or you would be dropped. Even with an emergency you couldn't miss class. |
| Academic Facilities | 5 | There is a nice library, though the break areas are sub par. |
| Social Life | 1 | There are no sports or clubs available to students. |
| Placement Services | 1 | There was no job placement. You were pretty much sent on your way after graduation. |
| Alumni Network | 1 | There's no career help from teachers or school. Administration ignores you when you tell them the teacher has done something wrong. |
Aveda Institute • Charlotte, NC
Studying Cosmetology (completion in 2009)
• 12/1/2011
"Most of my expectations were met. The commute was really the only complaint I have."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | The facility is clean and modern. The staff is very knowledgeable and helpful. It's a lot of fun. |
| Program Reputation | 9 | Aveda is a very well-known school. It has a great reputation. |
| Program Quality | 9 | The school I attended was very clean and had a great reputation. I learned a lot and the teachers were very informative. |
| Instruction | 8 | I learned a lot from the teachers through books and hands-on experience. They lacked teaching in men's cuts. |
| How Difficult | 8 | We had to test out of every course and maintain at least a B average. At times, the projects were difficult and time-consuming. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Although some is book learning, the majority is hands on. You learn the most from actually working on clients. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 2 | All schedules are the same. Your only option is to be a full-time student, Tuesday-Saturday, 9-4. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | Everything that you need for the course is provided. You have to purchase a kit that has your supplies. |
| Social Life | 10 | The school had different hair shows and events to participate in. It's a smaller school, so everyone becomes very close with the students and staff. |
| Placement Services | 9 | They help you complete a resume. They also have job fairs, and different salons come to speak about programs they offer. |
| Alumni Network | 9 | There was a lot of staff available for questions and support. They also had a website and email that they could be reached on. |
Aveda Institute Of Charlotte • Charlotte, NC
Studying Cosmetology (completion in 2010)
• 1/17/2012
"I felt that I received what I went to school for. I enjoyed the program."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | The school is very professional and has a good reputation. The instructors and class content cannot be beat. |
| Program Reputation | 8 | It is referred to as the "Harvard of Hair". The school maintains its reputation and standing in the community. |
| Program Quality | 8 | My program provided me with real world training and knowledgeable instructors. I really enjoyed the hands on experience. |
| Instruction | 9 | The program was very organized and relevant. I felt prepared at the end of my training. |
| How Difficult | 5 | There were frequent projects but the workload was not overwhelming. Assistance for all projects was offered. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Exams were a mix of practical knowledge and tests based on the text. In the classroom, there was a good mix of instruction types. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 1 | The program is not flexible at all. If the schedule is not followed, you are dropped from the program. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | For the most part, everything was clean and up to date. The facilities were helpful in the learning process. |
| Social Life | 6 | The environment was highly competitive. With most students being girls, there was a catty nature about the program. |
| Placement Services | 4 | Jobs were sometimes posted for students. Overall, I found very little assistance in finding a job. |
| Alumni Network | 2 | Very few past graduates were seen. Most alumni were disinterested. |
Trinity Beauty Academy • Charlotte, NC
Studying Cosmetology (completion in 2010)
• 3/13/2012
"Since I did work full time, this school was made for me. Without the flexibility and support of the instructor and owner, I do not believe I would be able to pursue my career in cosmetology."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | If you are looking for somewhere that understands that life sometimes gets in the way of pursuing school, then this is the place for you. It gives you the experience and preparation you need to have in order to pass your state boards! |
| Program Reputation | 8 | For a school that does not offer financial aid, the amount of students is small so you get more of a one on one experience. The school has been in business for almost 30 years. |
| Program Quality | 6 | At some points in my schooling we had organization and leadership. After a while our teachers would quit and we would not have anyone to guide us! For the time that we did have an instructor, I was able to learn a lot. |
| Instruction | 5 | When an instructor was provided, we had a very organized and strict program. We were always taught not only the basics but the latest trends. |
| How Difficult | 4 | Overall, the program was fairly easy. There were of course things that I was weak in that at times were a little frustrating to master. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | How our school worked is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. we did our book work and listed to lectures. After 1, we had our hands on activity until we left at 4. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | I personally found this school very flexible. I also worked full-time while attending this school. Anytime that I could not come in my instructor was more than willing to help me catch up on previous assignments. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | I feel as though we had everything we needed to operate as a successful school and salon. We had a private classroom both up and downstairs. |
| Social Life | 9 | Given that my school was not large, we were all very close. We would always work well as a team. |
| Placement Services | 8 | When past students would come in, they would let us know about places that were hiring. The owner would also get on the phone and network for you and always keep in touch with you to let you know about current job openings. |
| Alumni Network | 8 | Every now and then we would have a student from previous years come in and teach us a few things. You always know that even when you're no longer a student there, you're always welcome to come back and help! |
Gaston College • Lincolnton, NC
Studying Cosmetologist (completion in 2011)
• 4/4/2012
"It is a great school and close to home . I hope everyone who can't afford an expensive college will want to further there education at Gaston college Lincoln campus."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I will recommend Gaston college to anyone even if it is not for cosmetology. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | I know plenty of people who have taking these course at Gaston college. And they all have a career doing what they love to do. |
| Program Quality | 8 | Gaston college of Lincoln campus has a great program for cosmetology . They have lots of hands on training. |
| Instruction | 9 | Its all hands on work , I learned from practice and that helped me a lot. The instructors take time to help you be the best . |
| How Difficult | 5 | It takes time, style and the love for hair to be the best at cosmetology . It is not hard work but then again it is not easy either. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | It is very hands on which I personally enjoy. I think I learned more being hands on in class. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 7 | The schedule is very flexible. They offer night classes which is always a plus. |
| Academic Facilities | 5 | The school's facilities are average. They are adding to there facilities which will help a lot. |
| Social Life | 1 | Gaston college does not really have any sports or school events as it is a community college. |
| Placement Services | 7 | Gaston college gives you list of salons that might be hiring. They also keep you up to date on new salons. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | I think the schools alumni Is about average. |
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