Choosing a cosmetology school in Sacramento starts with comparing approved campuses, class hours and the full bill for training. This guide covers local beauty school options, published prices and the written exam you take for a California cosmetology license.
Public college feesSCC: $46/unit for California residents, Fall 2026
Next Roseville startHoss Lee: November 17, 2026
Compare Sacramento-area cosmetology programs
These rows show standalone and combined cosmetology programs, including Vacaville options at the western edge of the area. The check line identifies each campus on the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology's approved-school list, with its list and review dates.
COSM 100 requires C or better within two years. Spring 2027 COSM 115/117 runs January 16-May 20 with permission numbers required; COSM 100 starts January 25. Selection and kit-payment deadlines apply.
1,000 hours (2 semesters); 32 units including COSM 100 prerequisite
Hybrid sequence; Spring 2027 lab Tuesday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-12:50 p.m. and 1:00-3:50 p.m.; advanced theory online
$46/unit for California residents (Fall 2026/Spring 2027 fee page); approximately $3,700 beginning-semester books, kit, uniforms and supplies (August 1, 2026 catalog); other fees extra
Degree students complete the cosmetology sequence plus general education and electives. Spring 2027 entry courses run January 16-May 20; admission requires selection and permission numbers.
32-unit major including COSM 100; 60 units total with general education and electives; 1,000-hour training sequence
Hybrid sequence; Spring 2027 lab Tuesday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-12:50 p.m. and 1:00-3:50 p.m.; advanced theory online
$46/unit for California residents (Fall 2026/Spring 2027 fee page); approximately $3,700 beginning-semester books, kit, uniforms and supplies (August 1, 2026 catalog); other fees extra
The 2026 catalog says cosmetology distance instruction has not begun and hours are earned on campus. Confirm attendance days and the next monthly intake.
The 2026 brochure lists November 2 and December 7 starts. Confirm your individual attendance hours and completion date; the program webpage and brochure give different calendar lengths.
Combined training is designed for both California licenses. The published start list includes November 16, 2026 night classes; confirm the combined cohort.
Next starts: November 9, 2026 night and November 16 day. The online catalog total is $17,362; the program page still shows $17,250. Both refer to a 1,100-hour charge allowance for this 1,000-hour course.
Next listed start: December 7, 2026. Freshman training includes 10 hours of remote independent study. The catalog lists 8 months for the 28-hour schedule; the program page lists 8.5 months.
Vacaville is at the western edge of this search area. The 2026 start calendar lists November 2 and November 3 options; choose the matching attendance pattern.
This entry program includes 300 hours beyond its initial 1,000-hour phase. Shared cosmetology/barbering start calendar includes November 2 and November 3, 2026.
Hybrid: day, afternoon or evening; 19 campus hours plus 11 asynchronous hours/week (2026 Vacaville catalog)
$18,244.62 tuition; $22,015 total (Vacaville catalog, effective April 1, 2026)
Sacramento campuses first, then nearby cities. Details come from each school's website; costs and start dates change, so confirm with the school.
Cosmetology schools near Sacramento: campus details
Sacramento City College Sacramento, CA
The Freeport Boulevard department combines salon skills with science coursework and offers an associate degree option alongside its cosmetology certificate.
1,000 hours (2 semesters); 32 units including COSM 100 prerequisite
Schedule
Hybrid sequence; Spring 2027 lab Tuesday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-12:50 p.m. and 1:00-3:50 p.m.; advanced theory online
Published cost
$46/unit for California residents (Fall 2026/Spring 2027 fee page); approximately $3,700 beginning-semester books, kit, uniforms and supplies (August 1, 2026 catalog); other fees extra
32-unit major including COSM 100; 60 units total with general education and electives; 1,000-hour training sequence
Schedule
Hybrid sequence; Spring 2027 lab Tuesday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-12:50 p.m. and 1:00-3:50 p.m.; advanced theory online
Published cost
$46/unit for California residents (Fall 2026/Spring 2027 fee page); approximately $3,700 beginning-semester books, kit, uniforms and supplies (August 1, 2026 catalog); other fees extra
Milan's Vacaville cosmetology course divides instruction into two phases and combines campus salon practice with weekly asynchronous theory assignments.
The state training rule sets a 1,000-hour minimum for the school route. A school can teach a longer course, so compare the hours in its contract with the Board's school guidance.
4
Collect your training record
After completing training, obtain your Proof of Training from the school. Submit it with the examination application and fee through the Board's application process.
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Schedule the written examination
The Board sends approved applicants information for scheduling with PSI. Follow the current exam instructions and select the cosmetologist examination for the license you are seeking.
Sacramento cosmetology employment and pay
The BLS May 2025 Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom metro table reports 1,800 jobs for hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists (SOC 39-5012). Median pay was $17.69 per hour and $36,780 annually. This is a regional occupation estimate, not a starting-pay offer or a count of job openings.
BLS survey guidance explains that OEWS excludes self-employed workers and includes tips in reported wages. Salon ownership and independent work therefore need a separate budget. When you speak with a salon, ask about employee status, scheduled hours, supplies, tips and how compensation is calculated. Use the published median as one reference when weighing tuition and time away from work.
Cosmetology tuition and help paying
Published tuition includes $14,000 at Campus, $14,250 at Hoss Lee Academy and $14,400 at Paul Mitchell Sacramento on their program pages checked in October 2026. Federico's September 2026 catalog lists $16,750 tuition. These prices exclude some charges. Sacramento City College lists $46 per unit for California residents in Fall 2026 and Spring 2027, with other fees separate. Request a kit, books, supplies and testing breakdown before comparing totals.
For eligible students, Federico lists FAFSA-based aid, including Pell Grants, and veterans education benefits. Ask the aid office to verify your program and benefit eligibility. A Sacramento Works Job Center coach must determine training eligibility before you choose from its provider list; ask specifically about WIOA support. The Board's apprenticeship route offers paid workplace training under an approved sponsor, with separate training and licensing requirements.
How many hours does California require for cosmetology?
The school route requires at least 1,000 hours of practical and technical instruction under the Board's license requirements. Schools may offer longer courses. For example, Milan's Vacaville catalog lists Advanced Cosmetology at 1,300 hours. Check the exact program on your agreement, because its required completion hours can exceed the state minimum.
Can I take cosmetology classes after work?
Federico publishes a part-time option meeting Tuesday through Friday evenings plus Saturday. Campus also lists night classes and a November 16, 2026 night start. Compare the complete attendance pattern before you choose: a program called part-time may still require weekend travel, and missed hours can affect your completion date.
Does Sacramento City College offer cosmetology?
Yes. SCC offers a cosmetology certificate and an associate degree, with COSM 100 required before the main sequence. Its Spring 2027 class schedule lists COSM 115 and COSM 117 for January 16-May 20, with permission numbers required. The department selects applicants from its list, so a published class date does not confirm your acceptance.
Is finishing beauty school enough to get a license?
Completion gives you training documentation for the next step. The Board's applicant instructions require an examination application, Proof of Training and the applicable fee. Approved candidates schedule a written examination with PSI. Keep copies of your training records, and use the Board's instructions for the cosmetologist license when preparing your application.
Can one program prepare me for barbering too?
Campus's Cosmetology and Barbering program lists 1,200 hours and is designed to support both California licenses. It publishes separate pricing and a longer estimated duration than its standalone cosmetology course. Ask which examinations the course prepares you for and what documents you receive for each application before selecting combined training.