Cosmetology Programs in the New York City Area
There are very few public and not-for-profit schools that offer cosmetology programs in the New York City area. This article looks at two schools within an hour of downtown and the programs they have available. Both programs meet state standards for licensing. There is also a table of facts about the schools, such as enrollment and costs, that can help individuals decide which institution is best for them.
- The Career School of NY has a cosmetology and hair program available. It is about 15 miles from the downtown area.
- Another option is to pursue the cosmetology program at Western Suffolk BOCES. This school is almost 44 miles from New York City's downtown.
Comparison of Schools
Aspiring cosmetology students should consider many factors when choosing a school for their training. This table presents information that makes it easy for them to compare their options.
| Career School of NY | Western Suffolk BOCES | |
|---|---|---|
| School Type | <2-year; private not-for-profit | 2-year; public |
| Total Enrollment (2021)* | 61 | 250 |
| Campus Setting | Large city | Large suburb |
| Tuition & Fees (2022-2023)* | $4,385 | $44,560 |
| % of First-Year Students Receiving Some Form of Financial Aid (2020-2021)* | 100% | 87% |
| Acceptance Rate (2021)* | N/A - Open admissions | N/A - Open admissions |
| Retention Rate for Full-Time Students (2020-2021)* | 24% | 77% |
| Graduation Rate (Students who began Fall 2018)* | 79% | 88% |
Source: *NCES College Navigator.
Career School of NY
Esthetics and barbering programs are available at this school in addition to the cosmetology program.
Cosmetology Program
A minimum of 1,000 hours must be completed to graduate from this school's cosmetology and hair program. The program includes coursework in chemistry as it is applied to cosmetology and chemical hair-straightening. There are also courses on hair coloring, hair styling, hair cutting and hair analysis. The rest of the program focuses on areas like scalp treatments, makeup application, manicuring, shampooing and rinsing, sterilization, skin care, professional development and salon management.
Western Suffolk BOCES
In addition to the adult education programs, there is a cosmetology program available here for high school students.
Cosmetology Program
Cosmetology students in this program get hands-on experience with other classmates and mannequins. During this program, students learn about perms and relaxers, hair coloring and hair styling. Along with the standard program offerings, there are evening and part-time class options. The length of the program is 1,000 hours. However, students who have previously completed some cosmetology hours can take only the hours they need to meet licensing requirements.
