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Cosmetology · Hays + Salina

Become a stylist.

1,500 hours. Licensed and earning in as little as 11 months — for a published $18,900, all-in.

  • 1,500 hours
  • ~11 months
  • Tue–Sat, full-time
  • Hays + Salina
Book a tour See the full cost ↓
Students working with clients at the shampoo bowls on the Hays salon floor

“Hays Academy is a well-rounded and friendly community… it changed my life for the better and I'll never regret it.”

Erica Schultz · Cosmetology grad, Hays campus

What you'll learn

The curriculum, in plain sight.

Cut — Wella Cut Craft

The first school in the world to teach Wella's Cut Craft cutting curriculum.

Color

Formulation to balayage — the craft that wins this school national competitions.

Skin — Dermalogica

Professional skin therapy training as a Dermalogica Partner School.

Nails

Manicuring, artificial nails, and nail care — built into the license.

Business of beauty

MONEY by Qnity financial literacy + the FHSU Business Essential Certificate. Parents, this one's for you.

State-board prep

Theory and practical prep aimed straight at the Kansas exams — 100% of 2024 grads passed.

See the full “You Can Learn” list
  • Sanitation Best Practices
  • Male and Female Haircuts
  • Hair Design & the Latest Trends
  • Hair Coloring
  • Hair Styling
  • Thermal Techniques
  • Chemical Relaxing and Perms
  • Skin Care
  • Facials
  • Makeup
  • Nail Care
  • Manicuring
  • Artificial Nails
  • Communication Skills
  • Business Understanding
  • And Other Skills Related to Maximizing Your Potential

How 1,500 hours feel designed

Foundations → Floor → Finish

Foundations

Mannequin work, theory, and technique drills until your hands know the moves.

Floor

Real clients on the supervised salon floor — the fastest confidence-builder there is.

Finish

Portfolio, business modules, and state-board prep. You leave ready to be hired.

Schedule & start dates

~11 months, full-time. Here's the week.

Our cosmetology program operates on a full-time schedule, Tuesday through Saturday.

Next starts — both campuses

Programs start four times a year: February, May, August, October.

The money, straight

$18,900. That's the whole number.

Cosmetology — full cost, itemized
Registration fee $100
Books, kit & equipment $2,800
Tuition $16,000
Total cost $18,900

What FAFSA can cover

We're nationally accredited, so federal aid applies: Pell Grants (need-based, no repayment) and Stafford loans. File the FAFSA® with our school code — Hays 015944, Salina E02178 — and we'll walk you through the rest.

Don't qualify, or don't want loans? Payment plans are available.

Every number, every aid path →

Kit day

What's in the $2,800 kit

  • Pivot Point coursebook, exam prep & study guide — the industry-standard texts (retail value over $500)
  • Professional Dermalogica product kit — real pro skin care, yours to keep
  • Cutting, color and styling tools — everything the curriculum calls for

Rather source your own? You can opt out of the books/kit bundle and buy from the provided list instead.

Where this license goes

One license. A dozen doors.

Getting licensed in Kansas

The state-board part, demystified.

  1. Train at a Kansas Board of Cosmetology–licensed school (that's us — and we're NACCAS-accredited on top).
  2. Sit the written theory exam once you reach 1,000 hours.
  3. Take the practical exam at about 1,420 hours.
  4. Score 75% or better on each — exams run through Ergometrics, $75 each.
  5. Finish your 1,500 hours, graduate, and your Kansas cosmetology license is live.

Want us to text you about cosmetology?

Tell us what you're into and we'll text you real answers: cost, start dates, and a tour invite.

What are you into?
Which campus is closer?
Where should we text you?

“Hays Academy became like my second home.”

Kari N. · Plainville, KS

Get started

What brings you in?

I'm a parent Accreditation, outcomes, and the full cost — the adult conversation. I'm here for salon services Cuts, color, and nails by supervised students — salon-floor prices.