Esthetics Program
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$1,000 SCHOLARSHIPS Available For ALL Students Who Start Classes in October 2026! Choose DAY or EVENING Classes to Fit Your Schedule!
Esthetician School in Northern California
Beauty is an aspect of our overall health and wellness. By learning how to care for skin, estheticians encourage the adoption of beneficial routines and well-formulated products to improve appearance and increase self-confidence. If you’re interested in becoming a skincare professional, attend esthetician school at Aveda Institute in Northern California. Cinta Aveda Institute offers its 600-hour Esthetics (Esthiology) program at its San Francisco campus, where you’ll receive the education and hands-on experience needed to embark on a rewarding career path.
Esthetics at a glance
| Program | Esthetics (Esthiology), 600 clock hours (hybrid: one session a week of theory online) |
| License | Prepares you for the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology esthetician exam |
| Length | 21 weeks on a daytime schedule, or 34 weeks on the evening schedule |
| Evenings | Yes: Tuesday–Thursday, 5:30–10:00 pm, plus 4.5 hours online on Monday |
| Facial training | 320 of the 600 hours, including 140 hands-on facial treatments |
| Total cost | $15,500, including tuition, eBooks, an iPad and your supplies kit. No registration fee. |
| Start dates | New classes start throughout the year. Contact admissions for the next start date. |
| Financial aid | FAFSA accepted (school code 041800) for students who qualify |
| Campus | San Francisco (305 Kearny Street) |
OCTOBER 2026 ESTHETICS
Turn Your Interest in Skincare Into a New Direction
Aveda Institute San Francisco is proudly offering a $1,000 SCHOLARSHIP to EVERY student who enrolls in our October 2026 classes!
Get to know the curriculum, the Aveda approach, and the learning environment. Bring your questions about esthetics training, schedules, and your next step to our admissions team in San Francisco.
Enroll for October 2026 and receive $1,000 toward your education.
Ask About October EstheticsHow long does esthetician school take?
The program is 600 hours, the minimum California requires before you can take the esthetician license exam.
| Schedule | Days and hours | Hours a week | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekday days | Monday–Wednesday, 9:00 am–5:30 pm on campus; Thursday, 6 hours online | 28.5 | 21 weeks |
| Late-week days | Thursday–Saturday, 9:00 am–5:30 pm on campus; Wednesday, 6 hours online | 28.5 | 21 weeks |
| Evenings | Tuesday–Thursday, 5:30–10:00 pm on campus; Monday, 4.5 hours online | 18 | 34 weeks |
Daytime schedules include a one-hour lunch break.
How much does esthetician school cost?
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $12,100 |
| eBooks and iPad | $600 |
| Supplies kit | $2,800 |
| Registration fee | $0 |
| Total program cost | $15,500 |
Your skincare kit, eBooks and iPad are included, so there’s no separate kit fee. You also pay a $75 application fee before enrolling and, after you finish, a $125 exam fee to the State Board. Students who enroll for October 2026 classes receive a $1,000 scholarship.
Life at Cinta Aveda
A closer look at the creativity, community, and hands-on learning at Cinta Aveda.
Esthetician School Program Overview
Through a combination of classroom teaching and mentorship, students at Cinta Aveda Institute learn the basics of skincare. This includes the following:
- Dermanalysis to determine skin type
- Facial massage and fundamentals
- Hair removal
- Makeup application
- Product knowledge
Students have opportunities to apply this training and refine their skills in a professional setting. As part of our program, students work under supervision in the salon and spa clinics located at Cinta Aveda Institute.
How the 600 hours are divided:
| Subject | Hours |
|---|---|
| Facials: theory and practice, including 140 hands-on facial treatments | 320 |
| Health and safety: laws and regulations, disinfection and sanitation, anatomy and physiology | 200 |
| Hair removal, eyebrows and makeup, including 90 hands-on services | 50 |
| Business development and job training | 30 |
Vegan & Cruelty-Free Products
Our affiliation with Aveda Institutes around the world, and our reliance on Aveda products, places Cinta Aveda Institute at the intersection of modern science, ancient Ayurvedic wisdom, and momentous ecological concerns. Using formulations with powerful plant essences, we teach our students a holistic approach to skincare. Faculty, students, and clients prefer our premium products, which are 100% vegan, cruelty-free, and packaged for waste reduction.
What Will You Learn In Esthetician School
At Cinta Aveda Institute, students learn how to evaluate skin types and how to treat them optimally with facials and other techniques. They learn how to use modern equipment and natural products to improve the look and texture of the skin, as well as the holistic wellness of each individual client.
With studies in anatomy, histology, and safety, Cinta Aveda Institute students are prepared for hands-on experiences serving clients in our student salon and spa. Work performed with clients in the spa is overseen by faculty mentors who teach and guide students as they develop confidence, technique, and knowledge in our esthetician school.
Career-focused Education
Students who successfully complete these aspects of the esthetician program are qualified to take the Cinta Aveda Institute skill certification examination. Additionally, these students will take the written examination required by both the State of California for licensure and the Cinta Aveda Institute for graduation.
As students in our esthetician school make progress in developing their skills and knowledge, Cinta Aveda Institute assists them with resume writing, interviewing techniques, and other support services to help start their career. Our students also take advantage of the Aveda network of spas and salons, where their training, skills, and familiarity with Aveda products are highly valued by industry leaders.
Graduate results
From our 2023–24 School Performance Fact Sheet for the San Francisco campus (2024 graduates):
- 100% finished on time (64 of 64 students).
- 94% of graduates available for work were employed in the field (33 of 35).
- 85% passed the state licensing exam on their first try (35 of 41).
- Of the 33 employed graduates, 15 reported earning $35,001–$40,000 a year, 12 reported $40,001–$45,000 and 3 reported $45,001–$50,000.
- Graduates who borrowed left with about $3,801 in federal student loans on average.
See the full School Performance Fact Sheet.
Advanced Training For Estheticians
For students who want to extend their training and gain additional certification, Cinta Aveda Institute offers Comité International d’Esthétique et de Cosmétologie (CIDESCO). In addition to esthetician school, this program includes coursework in the following areas:
- Massage
- Manicuring
- Beauty therapy
As an international standard for spa and beauty certification, this level can be compared to a college master’s degree and is conferred on students who have logged 1,200 hours of instruction and sit for the international examination.
