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Success stories

People from
towns you know.

Not influencers. Graduates from western and central Kansas — who sat in the same chairs, passed the same exams, and work behind chairs today.

Meet a few of ours.

Scroll sideways for more →  (Quotes are real student testimonials; hometowns, class years, and roles on the initialed cards are demo details for this preview.)

  • “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, 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

  • “It's like my second home.”

    Kari N.

    Plainville, KS · Class of 2024
    Cosmetology, Hays campus

    First chair salary job out of school; renting her own booth was the year-two goal

  • “Three months in and I was doing full sets on real clients — with an instructor right there.”

    Paige P.

    Abilene, KS · Class of 2025
    Nail Technology, Salina campus

    Nail tech at a Salina suite — licensed the same season she finished

  • “They help you build habits and character that will last a lifetime.”

    Bailey J.

    Hays, KS · Class of 2021
    Cosmetology, Salina campus

    Salon manager — the business classes turned out to be the point

The longer version

How the first two years actually go.

From skill book to a full color book

Kari N. · Cosmetology · Hays campus

  1. Months 1–11

    1,500 hours at the Hays campus — theory, the supervised floor, and the MONEY by Qnity financial modules everyone shrugs at and later swears by.

  2. Licensing season

    Passed the Kansas Board of Cosmetology written and practical exams on the first sit, with the school's exam-prep drilling behind her.

  3. Year one

    Hired at a Hays salon through the school's salon network — the school's job placement rate was 83.91% in the 2024 NACCAS report. Salary chair plus tips while she built a rebooking list.

  4. Year two

    Moved to commission with a color specialty; her Qnity pricing homework became the actual spreadsheet she runs her books on. Booth rental is the next step, on her timeline.

The 3-month license, honestly told

Paige P. · Nail Technology · Salina campus

  1. Months 1–3

    350 continuous hours in Salina — acrylics, gel systems, spa manicures and pedicures, nail art, and the business units.

  2. License

    Kansas Board of Cosmetology nail technician exams straight after her hours closed out.

  3. First year

    Started at a suite doing fills and full sets; the fast program meant she was earning while friends from her graduating class were still in their first college year.

Illustrative demo timelines — the milestones mirror the school's real curriculum, exams, and placement support; no salary figures are claimed.

The stories have numbers behind them.

100%
licensure exam pass rate — 2024 NACCAS annual report
83.91%
job placement rate, school-wide
88.89%
graduation rate, school-wide

Every rate, every campus, every program — including the small-cohort ones — is on the consumer information page.

After graduation

The support doesn't expire.

In the school's own words: “Maybe you need help with a resume, updating your portfolio, assistance on interview preparation or maybe you have a salon question… we are here for you at any time.” That's a lifetime promise, and alumni use it — plus networking events through the year and invitations to come back and tell your story.

Licensed already and hungry for more? Ask about the Vidal Sassoon advanced scholarship on the current students page.

Your town could be on this page.

Tell us what you're into and we'll text you cost, start dates, and a tour invite — the first step of every story above.

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

“The owners and instructors truly seem to care about our success in school and afterwards. They do so much more than just preparing you for your state board exams. They help you build habits and character that will last a lifetime.”

Bailey J. · Hays, KS

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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.