Cosmetology schools in Indianapolis offer local campuses with daytime, evening and part-time choices. Compare published prices and starts below, then plan for Indiana's 1,500-hour training requirement and written licensing exam.
These campuses publish adult cosmetology training with dated or recurring starts. The check line under each school identifies its Active Beauty Culture School license in Indiana's official lookup, including the expiration and check date.
South Emerson Avenue campus. New cosmetology classes start every three weeks. The linked September 2026 catalog lists $19,740 tuition and $22,615 total before sales tax, differing from the campus webpage total; request a current itemized quote.
Northeast campus at Crosspoint Commons. New classes start every six weeks; the August 2026 catalog lists onsite and hybrid (10% distance education) versions, subject to availability.
West campus. Catalog lists starts on the first Tuesday of March, June, September and December; confirm campus delivery arrangements. Catalog distance education includes in-person evaluations; confirm your hybrid or campus attendance plan.
East campus. Quarterly catalog starts fall on the first Tuesday of March, June, September and December; verify campus class format. Catalog distance education includes in-person evaluations; confirm your hybrid or campus attendance plan.
Speedway campus. The school publishes cosmetology starts every three weeks; confirm your class hours with this location. The linked July 2026 catalog lists $19,740 tuition and $22,615 total before sales tax, differing from the campus webpage total; request a current itemized quote.
Match the school name and street address in the Indiana facility lookup. Select Beauty Culture School and read the current license status before signing a contract.
2
Compare real class schedules
Tricoci publishes full-time days and part-time evenings, while Nurtur Aveda's June 2026 catalog says its evening cosmetology schedule is not currently offered. Use the Tricoci campus schedule and Nurtur Aveda catalog to check your work and childcare plans.
3
Review admission documents early
Schools may ask for more schooling than the license minimum. PJ's admissions page requests a high school diploma or GED and government ID; the Avon catalog also requires applicants to be 18.
4
Complete training and testing
Finish the required course and obtain the school's education certification. Indiana's licensing instructions require a PSI written examination pass notice.
5
Submit your license application
Upload the education certification and examination notice using Indiana's application process. The agency's instructions list a $40 nonrefundable application fee; check your documents for matching names.
Indianapolis cosmetology employment and pay
BLS reported employment of 2,240 hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area (May 2025). The median wage was $16.53 an hour, or $34,380 a year, for occupation 39-5012. See the BLS metro OEWS table.
These figures describe the occupation across surveyed employers, rather than a starting wage for a particular school's graduates. The BLS survey guidance explains that OEWS excludes self-employed workers. Keep that limit in mind if you plan to rent a chair or run a salon. When discussing work with an employer, ask about the pay structure, expected hours, tips, supplies and benefits.
Cosmetology tuition and ways to pay
The January 2026 Harrold Avon catalog lists $16,285 tuition and $18,000 total. Paul Mitchell publishes $19,050 tuition and $22,780 total. For starts on or after July 1, 2026, Nurtur Aveda's catalog lists $22,590 tuition and $27,184 total. Compare the full charges, including supplies and fees, before choosing a payment plan.
Tricoci lists FAFSA-based Pell Grants and federal loans for eligible students. If you have veterans education benefits, check your exact school and program in the VA GI Bill Comparison Tool. Ask WorkOne Indy about training support before you commit; residents outside Marion County can ask WorkOne Central about WIOA services. Eligibility and program funding need separate confirmation. You can also ask a salon employer about tuition assistance and any work commitment.
How long do cosmetology classes take near Indianapolis?
Calendar length depends on the school's attendance plan. Nurtur Aveda publishes 1,500 hours over 52 weeks. Tricoci's Indianapolis campus lists 10 months full-time or 17 months part-time evenings. Compare the actual weekly schedule and ask how holidays, absences and make-up hours affect the graduation date in your contract.
Can I attend cosmetology school while working?
There are local schedules to compare. Tricoci publishes evening classes from 5:30 to 10 p.m., Monday through Friday. Prestige lists full-time and part-time choices, including English and Spanish schedules. Bring your work calendar to a campus visit and ask which schedule has space at the next intake.
Does a beauty school diploma give me an Indiana license?
Graduation and licensure involve separate steps. Indiana's application instructions call for school education certification and a PSI written examination pass notice. Your diploma alone does not complete that application. Before graduation, ask the school when it will provide the documents and how to correct any missing hours or name differences.
Why do some prices include more than tuition?
Schools package their charges differently. Paul Mitchell's program page separates tuition, application and registration fees, and kit, equipment, textbook and supply charges. Empire's Indianapolis page publishes a combined amount for tuition, kit, fees and taxes. Ask for an itemized contract so you can compare the same expenses and identify charges outside the advertised total.
Can financial aid cover cosmetology training?
Some schools participate in federal aid programs. Tricoci's campus page names Pell Grants and federal student loans for students who qualify. WorkOne Indy uses an eligibility review and funding approval process for training support. Start those checks early, and request a written aid offer showing grants, borrowed money and your remaining balance before signing.