For parents & families

Why Hays Academy of Hair Design?

You're right to ask hard questions about accreditation, outcomes, debt, and safety. This page answers them with published numbers, and nothing on it requires your contact information.

Is this legitimate?

Accredited, licensed, measured.

Hays Academy of Hair Design is nationally accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences (NACCAS) and licensed by the Kansas Board of Cosmetology. Accreditation is what makes federal financial aid possible, and it requires the school to report outcome rates every year. Here are the current ones.

of graduates passed their licensure exams (2024 NACCAS annual report): 100%
graduation rate, school-wide: 88.89%
job placement rate, school-wide: 83.91%
operating in Hays, family-owned since 1981: 45 yrs

Full per-program, per-campus rates, including the small-cohort ones, are published on the consumer information page. We'd rather you see all of them than a cherry-picked few.

The economics

Eleven months of cost.
A career that can't be offshored.

The cost, published

Cosmetology is $18,900 all-in, registration, books, kit, and equipment included. Nail technology is $4,595. A single year at many universities costs more than this entire program.

For cosmetology, FAFSA applies (Pell Grants and Stafford loans); payment plans cover what aid doesn't. The Nail Technology program does not qualify for financial aid. The full aid breakdown →

The earnings arc

A licensed stylist's income is built in layers: a chair salary or commission, tips, then booth rental or suite ownership, and for some, owning the salon. The trajectory rewards exactly what this school teaches, craft plus business discipline.

And the durable part: a haircut cannot be outsourced, offshored, or automated. Demand is local, recurring, and recession-tested.

Safety & logistics

The questions you'd ask on the tour.

Supervision, always

All services are performed by supervised students.

A place to live

Want to live in the dorms? Fort Hays State University's student-housing office has the details on residence halls, rates and who can apply.

FHSU student housing info ↗

A real schedule

Full-time, Tuesday through Friday plus one required Saturday a month, daytime hours (one evening block on Thursdays). It's structured like a job, because it's training for one. Never more than 25 students in a class.

Beyond the license

"Financially responsible" is in the mission statement.

The school's stated goal is to produce "the most hire-able, financially responsible graduates in the country." That's backed by curriculum, not posters:

MONEY by Qnity, a financial-literacy curriculum (8 modules × 5 lessons) bundled into enrollment: pricing, saving, and the math of self-employment.
A competitive record to match: Nuts & Bolts International Business Student of the Year placements 2010–2017, including the 2014 Overall Winner, and the 2010 “Step Up Stand Out” School of the Year.

Come along on the tour.

Seriously, we'd rather have you there. You'll see the supervised floor working, meet the instructors, and we'll answer the money questions in person, with the printed numbers in front of you.

Book the tour together

Prefer to talk first? Hays Campus: (785) 628-6624 · Salina Campus: (785) 833-2280

Parents' questions, straight answers.

Tell us which program your student is considering and we'll send the cost sheet, outcome rates, and tour times, to your phone or theirs.

Hays Campus: (785) 628-6624 · text us
Salina Campus: (785) 833-2280 · text us

“The owners and instructors truly seem to care about our success in school and afterwards. They help you build habits and character that will last a lifetime.”

Bailey J.

“They made me feel like one of their own. I can definitely see why they say “Welcome to the family”.”

Lexie R.

“I have made so many accomplishments in my short time here, and made some lifelong friends along the way.”

Kylie M. · Salina campus

“I toured at Hays Academy and it was the perfect fit for me. After starting they soon became family.”

Tori D. · Hays campus

“I was nervous. But I quickly felt like part of the family, it was like my second home.”

Kari N. · Hays campus

“The teachers were great and always there when I needed something.”

Paige P. · Salina campus

“Hays Academy is a well-rounded and friendly community… it changed my life for the better.”

Erica Schultz · Hays campus

“Hays Academy of Hair Design is a GREAT place to go to school!”

Sydney Fellhoelter · Hays campus

“As a part of the Hays Academy of Hair Design family I would recommend the school to anyone.”

Evangel Goossen · Salina campus

“The instructors challenged me, supported me, and helped shape me into the stylist I am today. The hands-on training and real client experience truly prepared me for the salon environment.”

Kayla C. · Hays campus

“I’ve learned that it’s never too late to invest in yourself, chase a passion, and start something new.”

Brenda M. · Hays campus

“One of the best schools to prepare you for the salon. Both in technical skill and personal mindset. Such a loving and welcoming staff that really make it exciting to go to school everyday!”

Cali R. · Hays campus

“I came in to school ready to kick butt. When my health hit I felt like giving up. They staff and students gave me the strength and motivation to keep on going and I finished strong with them all by my side!!”

Kenna P. · Hays campus

“Not only are you taught each service procedure in multiple ways but the teachers got your back. They don’t let you fail!”

Crystal D. · Salina campus

“I’ve enjoyed my time here and the staff is super helpful, caring, and loving. They lift you up and guide you in the right direction. Thanks to all of you, I’ve enjoyed my time here and would do it again if I had to.”

Zach D. · Salina campus

“Coming to Hays Academy my eyes were truly opened to what this industry truly is, and the way instructors should be.”

Sabrina O. · Salina campus

“This school has absolutely completely prepared me for my state tests and also prepared me for life as a stylist in a salon.”

Hannah E. · Salina campus

“My time at the school was a rollercoaster. The staff was always understanding. They were there to listen and willing to work with me. I will forever cherish my time at Hays Hair Academy.”

Katie W. · Hays campus

“I appreciate all the hard work the instructors and students put in. I would like to thank the instructors for prepping me for the salon world and the state boards. I would also like to thank them for pushing me and making sure I had everything I needed.”

Carmen C. · Salina campus

Start Your Beauty Journey Here

Are You Ready for Beauty School?

Our goal is to produce the most hire-able, financially responsible graduates in the country! We hope that is your goal too!

Get Started (785) 628-6624 Email us Book a salon appointment