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Cosmetology school in North Carolina

16 cosmetology programs with costs, results and funding that can make them free

12 schools offer these cosmetology programs, and North Carolina has approved every one for workforce funding. Each shows its price if you pay yourself and how past students did.

Hairstylists and cosmetologists shampoo, cut, color and style hair. Every state requires a license: you finish a state-approved program, which usually leads to a certificate, and then pass a state licensing exam.1 In North Carolina, 3 of the 16 programs take students without a high school diploma, and 1 is taught partly or fully online.

See the 16 programs

How much does cosmetology school cost in North Carolina?

Certificates and short courses (10 programs)
$1,446 to $4,679most of them, usually 42 to 66 weeks long
Two-year degrees (6 programs)
$5,244 to $6,080most of them, usually 72 to 80 weeks long

What you pay yourself for the whole program, as the schools report it. "Most" is the middle half of the programs with a price.

In the typical program

Finished the program
22%
Working 6 months later
50%
Earned a year, estimated
about $17,400
Length
52 to 72 weeks

Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Only programs approved for workforce funding are listed; other schools in North Carolina may also offer cosmetology school. How these figures are made

Is there free cosmetology school in North Carolina?

Who qualifies, and other ways to pay: financial aid, grants and the GI Bill

Cosmetology school in Wilmington, Hickory, Marion and other North Carolina cities

Choosing an area filters the list below. 1 more program is in 1 other area, 4 in smaller cities and towns.

All 16 cosmetology programs in North Carolina approved for WIOA funding

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Kind of program
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16 programs

  • Cosmetology (associate degree)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Cosmetology - AS

    Brunswick Community College

    Supply

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Brunswick Community College, Supply · Cosmetology (associate degree) · In person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$31,900
    Price if you pay yourself$6,080

    6 students trained with WIOA funding

    Program website, Cosmetology - AS at Brunswick Community College
    More details about Cosmetology - AS at Brunswick Community College
    Finished
    22%
    Working at 6 months
    70%
    Earned in a quarter
    $7,969
    Length
    80 weeks, 18 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,250
    Students counted
    101
    a year, estimated
    $31,900
    price
    $6,080
    trained with WIOA funding
    6

  • Cosmetology (associate degree)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Cosmetology

    Bladen Community College

    Dublin

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Bladen Community College, Dublin · Cosmetology (associate degree) · In person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$16,200
    Price if you pay yourself$6,900
    Program website, Cosmetology at Bladen Community College
    More details about Cosmetology at Bladen Community College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    57%
    Earned in a quarter
    $4,039
    Length
    64 weeks, 28 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,400
    Students counted
    80
    a year, estimated
    $16,200
    price
    $6,900

  • Cosmetology license programIn personEducation and courses

    Cosmetology Diploma

    Southeastern Community College

    Whiteville

    Education and courses

    Southeastern Community College, Whiteville · Cosmetology license program · In person · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimated$11,200
    Price if you pay yourself$3,650

    4 students trained with WIOA funding

    School website, Cosmetology Diploma at Southeastern Community College
    More details about Cosmetology Diploma at Southeastern Community College
    Finished
    21%
    Working at 6 months
    36%
    Earned in a quarter
    $2,811
    Length
    16 weeks, 32 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $2,000
    Students counted
    72
    a year, estimated
    $11,200
    price
    $3,650
    trained with WIOA funding
    4

  • Cosmetology (associate degree)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Cosmetology - Assoc. in Applied Science

    Southeastern Community College

    Whiteville

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Southeastern Community College, Whiteville · Cosmetology (associate degree) · In person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$11,800
    Price if you pay yourself$5,244
    Program website, Cosmetology - Assoc. in Applied Science at Southeastern Community College
    More details about Cosmetology - Assoc. in Applied Science at Southeastern Community College
    Finished
    20%
    Working at 6 months
    39%
    Earned in a quarter
    $2,950
    Length
    80 weeks, 20 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $2,250
    Students counted
    70
    a year, estimated
    $11,800
    price
    $5,244

  • Cosmetology (associate degree)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Cosmetology- A55140

    McDowell Technical Community College

    Marion

    High school diploma or equivalent

    McDowell Technical Community College, Marion · Cosmetology (associate degree) · In person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$17,200
    Price if you pay yourself$5,800
    School website, Cosmetology- A55140 at McDowell Technical Community College
    More details about Cosmetology- A55140 at McDowell Technical Community College
    Finished
    32%
    Working at 6 months
    52%
    Earned in a quarter
    $4,288
    Length
    104 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,650
    Students counted
    40
    a year, estimated
    $17,200
    price
    $5,800

  • Cosmetology license programIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Cosmetology Certificate

    Brunswick Community College

    Supply

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Brunswick Community College, Supply · Cosmetology license program · In person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$17,700
    Price if you pay yourself$3,648
    Program website, Cosmetology Certificate at Brunswick Community College
    More details about Cosmetology Certificate at Brunswick Community College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    29%
    Earned in a quarter
    $4,421
    Length
    48 weeks, 31 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,149
    Students counted
    39
    a year, estimated
    $17,700
    price
    $3,648

  • Cosmetology (associate degree)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Cosmetology Program - (FLG Only)

    Fayetteville Technical Community College

    Fayetteville

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Fayetteville Technical Community College, Fayetteville · Cosmetology (associate degree) · In person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$20,800
    Price if you pay yourselfNot reported
    School website, Cosmetology Program - (FLG Only) at Fayetteville Technical Community College
    More details about Cosmetology Program - (FLG Only) at Fayetteville Technical Community College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    11%
    Earned in a quarter
    $5,200
    Length
    72 weeks, 8 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    37
    a year, estimated
    $20,800
    price
    Not reported

  • Cosmetology license programIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Cosmetology Diploma

    Brunswick Community College

    Supply

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Brunswick Community College, Supply · Cosmetology license program · In person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$28,700
    Price if you pay yourself$4,864
    Program website, Cosmetology Diploma at Brunswick Community College
    More details about Cosmetology Diploma at Brunswick Community College
    Finished
    20%
    Working at 6 months
    82%
    Earned in a quarter
    $7,187
    Length
    64 weeks, 18 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,200
    Students counted
    25
    a year, estimated
    $28,700
    price
    $4,864

  • Cosmetology license programIn personNo diploma needed

    Cosmetology

    Wilkes Community College

    Wilkesboro

    No diploma needed

    Wilkes Community College, Wilkesboro · Cosmetology license program · In person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimated$10,900
    Price if you pay yourself$200

    8 students trained with WIOA funding

    Program website, Cosmetology at Wilkes Community College
    More details about Cosmetology at Wilkes Community College
    Finished
    86%
    Working at 6 months
    47%
    Earned in a quarter
    $2,715
    Length
    38 weeks, 25 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,000
    Students counted
    14
    a year, estimated
    $10,900
    price
    $200
    trained with WIOA funding
    8

  • Cosmetology license programIn personNo diploma needed

    Cosmetology Course 1500 Hours

    Shear Grace Institute of Cosmetology

    Hickory

    No diploma needed

    Shear Grace Institute of Cosmetology, Hickory · Cosmetology license program · In person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimated$32,500
    Price if you pay yourself$6,500

    10 students trained with WIOA funding

    More details about Cosmetology Course 1500 Hours at Shear Grace Institute of Cosmetology
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    83%
    Earned in a quarter
    $8,129
    Length
    54 weeks, 30 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,500
    Students counted
    10
    a year, estimated
    $32,500
    price
    $6,500
    trained with WIOA funding
    10

  • Cosmetology license programIn personNo diploma needed

    Cosmetology Continuing Education

    Brunswick Community College

    Supply

    No diploma needed

    Brunswick Community College, Supply · Cosmetology license program · In person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$730
    Program website, Cosmetology Continuing Education at Brunswick Community College
    More details about Cosmetology Continuing Education at Brunswick Community College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    67 weeks, 24 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,023
    Students counted
    Not reported
    a year, estimated
    Not reported
    price
    $730

  • Cosmetology license programIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Cosmetology

    Durham Technical Community College

    Durham

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Durham Technical Community College, Durham · Cosmetology license program · In person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$900
    School website, Cosmetology at Durham Technical Community College
    More details about Cosmetology at Durham Technical Community College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    67 weeks, 12 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $4,650
    Students counted
    Not reported
    a year, estimated
    Not reported
    price
    $900

  • Cosmetology license programIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Cosmetology Diploma

    Rockingham Community College

    Wentworth

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Rockingham Community College, Wentworth · Cosmetology license program · In person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$3,083
    Program website, Cosmetology Diploma at Rockingham Community College
    More details about Cosmetology Diploma at Rockingham Community College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    40 weeks, 20 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,232
    Students counted
    Not reported
    a year, estimated
    Not reported
    price
    $3,083

  • Cosmetology license programHybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Cosmetology

    Catawba Valley Community College

    Hickory

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Catawba Valley Community College, Hickory · Cosmetology license program · Hybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$4,125
    Program website, Cosmetology at Catawba Valley Community College
    More details about Cosmetology at Catawba Valley Community College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    56 weeks, 28 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,998
    Students counted
    Not reported
    a year, estimated
    Not reported
    price
    $4,125

  • Cosmetology (associate degree)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Cosmetology

    Beaufort County Community College

    Washington

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Beaufort County Community College, Washington · Cosmetology (associate degree) · In person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$4,985
    Program website, Cosmetology at Beaufort County Community College
    More details about Cosmetology at Beaufort County Community College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    72 weeks, 35 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $600
    Students counted
    Not reported
    a year, estimated
    Not reported
    price
    $4,985

  • Cosmetology license programIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Cosmetology

    Cape Fear Community College

    Wilmington

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Cape Fear Community College, Wilmington · Cosmetology license program · In person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$5,016
    Program website, Cosmetology at Cape Fear Community College
    More details about Cosmetology at Cape Fear Community College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    74 weeks, 7 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $3,000
    Students counted
    Not reported
    a year, estimated
    Not reported
    price
    $5,016

How to pay for cosmetology school in North Carolina

WIOA funding can pay for cosmetology school in North Carolina

Every program on this page is approved for WIOA funding: public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. It can pay for training for eligible adults, people who lost their job and young people.2People on public assistance, with a low income or lacking basic skills come first, and veterans have priority.3Your state or local area may limit how much WIOA pays and for how long. If a program costs more, a Pell Grant, a scholarship or severance pay can cover the rest.4

Ask at an American Job Center

Eligibility rules apply, and services vary from state to state. Your local American Job Center can tell you whether you qualify. The Department of Labor's page links to the center finder, or call 1-877-US-2JOBS (1-877-872-5627).5

Financial aid and grants for cosmetology school

Most students can get federal student aid for college, career school or trade school. A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, usually doesn't have to be repaid. Ask the school whether its program qualifies.67

GI Bill for cosmetology school

Veterans, service members and qualified dependents can use GI Bill benefits for non-college training programs.8

The program list does not show which programs accept these. Ask the school.

Does WIOA pay for job training? Who qualifies and how to apply

Quick facts: Cosmetology school in North Carolina

programs with a price cost under $3,000
3 of 15
lowest typical price among the states with enough programs to compare
1st of 20
other states where the typical program's graduates earned less
4 of 9
cosmetology programs here, against the typical state's 4
16 vs 4

State comparisons use the same figures as the cosmetology school by state table: the middle program of each state, and only states with three or more schools for prices. Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025).

Where the North Carolina cosmetology program numbers come from

Which North Carolina cosmetology programs are on this list?

These are the cosmetology programs North Carolina approved for WIOA funding (public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), as reported to the US Department of Labor for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Each state keeps its approved programs on an eligible training provider list (ETPL).9 The list here covers programs approved as of June 30, 2025. Schools that never applied for approval are missing, so this is a part of what North Carolina offers.

How North Carolina cosmetology program prices are reported

The price is tuition and required fees for someone paying without workforce funding, as the school reported it. "Trained with WIOA funding" on a program counts the people whose training there WIOA paid toward through a training account in program year 2024; the file never gives counts under 3, so a program without the line may still take WIOA students. It does not say how much of the price WIOA covered. Prices under $100 are treated as not reported, because the file holds many blanks entered as $0. Check the current price with the school.

What the graduate results of these programs measure

The figures at the top of this page are the middle program among those that report results: half did better, half did worse. Results describe students who left each program in recent years: the share who finished, the share working in the second quarter after leaving, and the middle earnings of those working in that quarter. States report earnings for that one quarter because they take them from the wage reports employers file every three months. The yearly figure here is that quarter times four, rounded to the nearest $100: an estimate, and an early one, since it is measured about half a year after training. The quarter as reported is under "More details" on each program. Results are withheld for small programs, and they describe past students, so they are no guarantee.

Why do some cosmetology programs say "Not reported"?

Where a school or the state left a field empty, or the Department of Labor withheld it, the page says "Not reported". Nothing here is estimated to fill a gap.

Why the kind of school is left off each program

The file also records whether a school is public, private or nonprofit, but those entries are wrong too often to print next to a school's name, so this page leaves them out.

Other training in North Carolina

Sources for the facts about cosmetology school in North Carolina

Show the 9 sourcesHide the sources
  1. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Barbers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists
  2. US Department of Labor, TrainingProviderResults.gov: About This Site
  3. US Department of Labor: WIOA Adult Program
  4. Code of Federal Regulations, title 20, part 680, sections 680.220, 680.230 and 680.310: career services before training, other grants such as Pell Grants first, and limits on Individual Training Accounts (GovInfo, 2024 edition)
  5. US Department of Labor: American Job Centers
  6. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Eligibility for Federal Student Aid
  7. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Don't Miss Out on Federal Pell Grants
  8. US Department of Veterans Affairs: GI Bill benefits for non-college degree programs
  9. US Department of Labor, Training and Employment Guidance Letter 8-19, Attachment I: Requirements for Training Providers, Program Eligibility, and the State Eligible Training Provider (ETP) List