Essential Information
Cosmetologists are professionals who care for hair, skin, and nails. Cosmetology training is available through 1-year certificate and 2-year associate's degree programs at junior and technical colleges in Colorado. Consisting of clinical components, internships and cosmetology seminars, the programs may also offer flexible full- or part-time scheduling.
Career Requirements
Students must complete at least 1,000 hours to meet Colorado's licensure requirements, but 1,450 hours is preferable, according to the Colorado State Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists (CSBBC). They must also pass the CSBBC exam, which includes written and practical components, to earn their state license as a cosmetologist. The following colleges are the ten largest schools in Colorado that offer cosmetology programs such as:
- Nail Technician
- Esthetician
- Advanced Hairstyling
- Barbering
Colorado Northwestern Community College
Colorado Northwestern Community College in Rangely is located near the Utah state line. Students can earn certificates in cosmetology, hairstylist, manicurist, and esthetician, along with an associate's degree in cosmetology occupations. All programs can be completed on a full-time and part-time schedule. Course topics include hair cutting, styling and coloring, hair removal, facials and skin care, chemical texture, and facial makeup. Students may also complete seminars, internships, and a cosmetology practicum.
Technical College of the Rockies
Delta's Technical College of the Rockies offers a combination of career and technical programs. The school's Hairstyling High School program starts each fall and consists of basic and advanced hairstyling certificate programs. In the 1-year basic certificate program, courses include shampooing and conditioning, hair cutting, coloring and styling, chemical texture and disinfection. The advanced certificate program takes 2 semesters to complete and includes courses in intermediate and advanced hair cutting, coloring and styling, ethics, chemical texture, sanitation, and safety.
Emily Griffith Technical College
At Emily Griffith Technical College in Denver, students can prepare for the cosmetology licensing exam through an Associate of Applied Science in Cosmetology program. Courses include hair coloring, cutting and styling, applying artificial nails and pedicures. Students also learn about facials, massage, caring for skin, applying makeup and state exam preparation. Cosmetology law is also part of the 70-credit program, which consists of 1,218 contact hours and takes 9 months to complete.
Lamar Community College
Located in Lamar, this public college offers both a Cosmetology Certificate and an Associate of Applied Science in Cosmetology. Students must be at least 16 years old to be admitted into the programs. The 3-semester cosmetology certificate includes courses in cosmetology laws and regulations, hair design, facials, skin care, makeup application, and hair removal. In addition to the general education and certificate courses, the associate's degree covers artificial nail application, manicures, and pedicures. Students can also join the Cosmetology Skills Club.
Northeastern Junior College
Based in Sterling, this college offers students a 1-year program in cosmetology that starts in August and runs through June. Through the 60-credit program, students complete 1,800 clock hours in which they explore cosmetology business concepts and learn to style hair, care for nails and enhance skin's natural beauty. Enrollees must be at least 16 years old and have a high school diploma. A club for cosmetology students is also available.
Otero Junior College
La Junta's Otero Junior College is a 40-acre campus on the southeastern side of Colorado, nearly 2 hours east of Colorado Springs. Learners can earn a certificate in nail technician/manicurist (1 semester), cosmetologist (3 semesters), esthetician (2 semesters) or hairstylist (2 semesters). Some of the program's courses include facial makeup, manicures and pedicures, hair removal and sanitation. Students can also join Club Cosmetology, a club that allows them to gain real-world experience in cosmetology, working with hair, nails, and skin to acquire job skills.
Pickens Technical College
Pickens Technical College helps students in the Aurora area attain technical and career training. In addition to the day or evening cosmetology certificate program, students can complete programs designed to train them to become barbers, estheticians, hairstylists or nail technicians. The 1-year cosmetology program consists of 60 credit hours and 1,800 clock hours, which takes 4-7 hours of classes daily. Students work in the salon, where they gain experience providing hair, skin and nail care under the supervision of a licensed instructor.
Pueblo Community College
Pueblo Community College is located in Pueblo, about 45 miles south of Colorado Springs. Students can earn an Associate of Applied Science in Cosmetology that includes training in shampooing and rinsing hair, cutting it, coloring it, styling it and curling or straightening it. Students learn how to give manicures, pedicures, and facials while learning safety and sanitation procedures. They must also acquire clinical experience. There are also certificate programs in esthetician, manicurist, cosmetology, and hairstylist.
Red Rocks Community College
Lakewood's Red Rocks Community College has more than 150 certificate and degree programs, including studies in cosmetology. Students can earn a certificate in cosmetology, esthetician, manicurist, or hairstylist or an Associate of Applied Science in Cosmetology. Both the associate's and certificate programs in cosmetology incorporate hairstyling, esthetician and manicurist skills. Courses include safety and sanitation, hair styling, hair coloring, hair cutting, using chemicals to add texture, giving facials, management, laws and makeup application.
Trinidad State Junior College
Located in Trinidad, Trinidad State Junior College is Colorado's oldest community college. Through the Cosmetology Certificate program, students learn how to provide customer service skills, apply ethics to the workplace, explore practical methods for applying cosmetology skills and learn about how to run their business more smoothly. They can also complete individual certificates in esthetician, manicurist, and hairstylist. Students can also join the co-curricular club in cosmetology.
School Comparison: At a Glance
| School Name | School Type and Setting | Cosmetology Programs Offered | Undergraduate Tuition and Fees (2018-19) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Northwestern Community College | 2-year, public; remote rural | Occupational Certificate in Cosmetology Occupations - Cosmetology, Esthetician/Cosmetician, Hairstylist or Manicurist, Associate of Applied Science in Cosmetology Occupations | $4,018 (in-state)* $6,401 (out-of-state)* |
| Technical College of the Rockies | Less than 2-year, public; distant rural | Hairstyling Basic Certificate, Hairstyling Advanced Certificate | $7,040 (full program cost)* |
| Emily Griffith Technical College | Less than 2-year, public; large city | Associate of Applied Science in Cosmetology | $10,042 (full program cost)* |
| Lamar Community College | 2-year, public; remote town | Cosmetology Certificate, Associate of Applied Science in Cosmetology | $3,950 (in-state)* $6,332 (out-of-state)* |
| Northeastern Junior College | 2-year, public; fringe rural | Cosmetology Certificate | $5,072 (in-state)* $7,306 (out-of-state)* |
| Otero Junior College | 2-year, public; remote town | Cosmetology Certificate, Esthetics Certificate, Hair Stylist Certificate, Nail Technician Certificate | $3,975 (in-state)* $6,358 (out-of-state)* |
| Pickens Technical College | Less than 2-year, public; fringe rural | Barber Certificate, Cosmetology Certificate, Esthetician Certificate, Hair Stylist Certificate, Nail Technician Certificate | $4,510 (in-state)* $7,990 (out-of-state)* |
| Pueblo Community College | 2-year, public; midsize city | Cosmetology Certificate, Esthetician Certificate, Hairstylist Certificate, Manicurist Certificate, Associate of Applied Science in Cosmetology | $5,179 (in-state)* $16,262 (out-of-state)* |
| Red Rocks Community College | 2-year, public; large suburb | Cosmetologist Certificate, Esthetician Certificate, Hairstylist Certificate, Manicurist Certificate, Associate of Applied Science in Cosmetology | $4,158 (in-state)* $15,246 (out-of-state)* |
| Trinidad State Junior College | 2-year, public; remote town | Cosmetology - Esthetician, Manicurist or Hairstylist Certificate, Cosmetology Certificate | $5,160 (in-state)* $8,162 (out-of-state)* |
Source: *NCES College Navigator.