Aveda Beauty Schools
The Institute of Beauty and Wellness

Cosmetology Program at Aveda Institute Madison

Our Cosmetology program is a complete, hands-on education in hair, skin, and the art of guest care. 1,600 clock-hours is a blend of theory and hands-on practical training where you will learn haircutting, hair coloring, styling, texture services, skincare fundamentals, makeup application, guest care, and salon business fundamentals.

1,600 CLOCK HOURS · AVEDA INSTITUTE MADISON

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Cosmetology model with vivid orange hair color
Hands-On
Clinic Floor Training
Aveda
Product Training
Madison
Campus Location
Sassoon Connect
Haircutting Program

Credential

Cosmetology Certificate

Program Length

1,600 clock hours

Schedule

Full-time or 3-Day

Next Start

NOVEMBER 30, 2026

Campus

Madison

Course Overview

A complete, hands-on education in Cosmetology

Our Cosmetology program is a complete, hands-on education in hair, skin, and the art of guest care. 1,600 clock hours in Wisconsin and 1,500 in Chicago blend theory and hands-on practical training where you will learn haircutting, hair coloring, styling, texture services, skincare fundamentals, makeup application, guest care, and salon business fundamentals.

You'll learn the Aveda way at our Madison campus: pure, plant-based products and a philosophy rooted in wellness and environmental responsibility. From the first day on the clinic floor, you'll gain real experience with real guests, guided by educators who've worked in the industry.

Our Madison Cosmetology program is 1,600 clock hours of theory and hands-on clinic practice, and it prepares you to sit for the Wisconsin state licensing exam.

Cosmetology program, hair cutting training

By the Numbers

Program at a Glance

1,600
Clock Hours of Training
100%
LICENSURE RATE*
5-Day
or 3-Day Schedule
1,037
HANDS-ON PRACTICE HOURS

* 2024 NACCAS Outcome Rates

Three Aveda Institute Madison cosmetology students in the campus entryway

Curriculum

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

A structured path from core theory to advanced, guest-ready technique.

Infection control, safety and sanitation, hair and scalp science, and the fundamentals of cutting and styling. Build the knowledge base your state board exam is built on.

Aveda Institutes have the exclusive Sassoon Connect hair-cutting curriculum. Classic and modern haircutting, blow-dry and thermal styling, long-hair design, and texture services. Students practiced first in the classroom on mannequins and models, then on the clinic floor.

Learn hair coloring theory and application, foiling and balayage, corrective color, and chemical texture services using Aveda's vibrant plant-based hair color line.

Skincare and manicuring fundamentals, makeup application, and the guest service experience build on the rituals Aveda is known for.

Retail and social media marketing, interviewing prep, and state-board readiness so you graduate license-ready and career-ready.
Download Full Course Catalog

A Day in the Life

See yourself Here

A cosmetology student sectioning a guest's hair at the Madison styling stationStudents and educators working with guests on the Madison salon floorA cosmetology student practicing an updo on a mannequin in the Madison classroom

From morning theory to the clinic floor, Cosmetology students at Aveda Institute Madison spend their days doing real beauty work with real guests.

Learn the Best 

TRAIN ON PRO BRANDS

You'll train with the same products and curriculum the industry's top salons use, Aveda's plant-powered line, Sassoon cutting technique, and the Learn Aveda digital curriculum.  

CURRICULUM & PRODUCT

Aveda

Pure, plant-based, vegan hair and body care. Aveda's philosophy of wellness and environmental responsibility is woven through every phase of your training.

TOOLS

DYSON

The renowned hair dryer measures air temperature more than 40 times per second. Preventing heat damage while keeping hair shiny. 

MAKEUP

ESA Beauty

Professional makeup line students use to deepen their knowledge of wedding, special-event, editorial, and everyday makeup application.

Tuition, Kit & Financial Aid

A clear picture of your Investment

Program Tuition

Request a personalized cost breakdown

Total program cost including required fees, tailored to your schedule and aid eligibility.

  • Federal financial aid available to those who qualify
  • Scholarships & grants
  • Monthly payment plans
  • 1-on-1 support from our financial aid team
Talk to Financial Aid

Your Student Kit

Included

Professional tools and products you'll use in class and keep for your career.

  • Dyson professional blow dryer
  • Hattori Hanzo shears
  • Olivia Garden round brush set
  • Pivot Point Fundamentals package with Learn Aveda
  • Aveda styling and body care lineup
  • Color bowls, combs, clips, and branded caddy
Professional hair tools including brushes, shears, combs and styling irons

Student Success

HEAR FROM OUR FUTURE PROFESSIONALS

“I liked Aveda's high graduation rate, which gave me peace of mind and made me feel I'd be successful at this school. Overall, Aveda offers a positive professional environment that sets you up for success and helps you reach your goals, which is something I strive for.”
Elizabeth K. • Cosmetology
“Since I started at Aveda, I've noticed positive growth in myself and my mindset as I learn about the art of hair. I enjoy the positive and supportive atmosphere and feel like I belong for once in my life.”
Lunar W. • Cosmetology
“The teachers are all wonderful people!”
Prosper V. • Massage Therapy

Upcoming Start Dates

Find the start that Fits Your Life

Start Date

NOVEMBER 30

2026

Schedule

Day · Full-time47 weeks
  • Mon 9am-4pm
  • Tue-Fri 8:30am-4pm

Application Deadline

Rolling, apply early

Apply

Start Date

DECEMBER 14

2026

Schedule

3 Day54 weeks
  • Mon-Wed 10am-9pm

Application Deadline

Rolling, apply early

Apply

Start Date

JANUARY 4

2027

Schedule

Day · Full-time47 weeks
  • Mon 9am-4pm
  • Tue-Fri 8:30am-4pm

Application Deadline

Rolling, apply early

Apply

Contact admissions for exact upcoming cohort dates and application deadlines.

Also Offered At

Cosmetology at our Other Campuses

Aveda Institute Milwaukee

Aveda Institute Milwaukee

327 E St Paul Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53202

View Milwaukee Cosmetology
Aveda Institute Chicago

Aveda Institute Chicago

2828 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60657

View Chicago Cosmetology

FAQ

Frequently asked Questions

The program is 1,600 clock hours. Full-time students on the 5-day (Monday-Friday) schedule typically finish in about 11 months.  Our 3-Day (Monday-Wednesday) schedule is available, and students on this schedule typically complete their program in 12 to 13 months.

You'll earn a Cosmetology Certificate and be prepared to sit for the Wisconsin state licensing exam to become a licensed cosmetologist.

Federal financial aid is available to those who qualify, along with scholarships and monthly payment plans. Our financial aid team will walk you through every option one-on-one and build a personalized cost breakdown for you.

No experience is required, just a passion for beauty and a willingness to learn. Our admissions team will guide you through requirements and enrollment steps.

You'll train primarily with Aveda's plant-based, vegan professional products, plus other professional lines you'll see in the field, Ultraceuticals skincare, OPI nail products, keratin and smoothing treatments, and more. Most importantly, you learn the technique and product chemistry behind them, so your education applies to any product line you work with after graduation.

You'll learn haircutting, color, styling, texture and skincare fundamentals, and the program prepares you to sit for the Wisconsin cosmetology licensing exam.

We offer multiple start dates throughout the year on both full-time and 3-Day schedules. See the start-date table above or request info for the next available cohort.

We're at 7021 Tree Ln., Madison, WI 53717, in the West Side neighborhood. Call 608.250.3100 or schedule a tour to visit.

Are You Ready?

Start your tomorrow today at the Aveda Institute Madison.

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