They aren’t just hair and nails to you. You see all kinds of beautiful possibilities – maybe even your own business.
Madison College cosmetology students
99%
Student Satisfaction
99% of our recent graduates report they are satisfied with their Madison College education.
$42k
Annual Salary
Our recent graduates of this program reported an average starting salary of $42,480.
29
Recent Graduates
There are 29 recent graduates of this Madison College program.

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If you’d like to learn more about the Cosmetology program, we’d love to talk with you.

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Cosmetology
Program Number: 315021
Your Degree:
Technical Diploma
Area of Study:
Culinary, Hospitality and Fitness
Delivery Method:
Some Online/Some In Person
Estimated Time to Complete:
39 Credits | Finish diploma in 1 year
financial aid icon Financial Aid Available
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What You'll Pay
Use our Net Price Calculator to estimate your tuition costs.

Estimated Program Cost

$6,840.72

Financial Aid

Applying for financial aid and scholarships help you pay for your education.
  • Program Overview

    You’ll learn all things cosmetology in this one-year program and externship. In addition to learning in the classroom, you’ll gain real-world experience at a local salon, shadowing professional hair stylists and nail technicians.

    Watch this video and see what it's like to be a student in Madison College's Cosmetology program.

    Cosmotology Program | Madison College
    iframe added here via JS.

    As a cosmetology student you will be learn a variety of skills under licensed professionals, such as:

    • Haircutting for all hair types
    • Professional hair color 
    • Hair design and styling
    • Nail technology 
    • Manicures and pedicures
    • Scalp and facial treatments
    • Cosmetic makeup analysis
    • Clean/style wigs and hairpieces
    • Infection control 
    • Client relations 
    • Retail methodology
    • Permanent waving
    • Shampooing and deep conditioning

    You'll receive a kit that includes all equipment and supplies needed to complete this program as a part of a class fee.

    Program Details

    Madison College's Cosmetology students attend class full-time during the day, Monday through Friday.

    Cosmetology classes are offered at the Madison College Truax campus.

    Careers in Cosmetology

    Employers throughout Madison consider Madison College's Cosmetology graduates top candidates.

    Graduates from this one-year technical diploma program are ready for a range of professional positions in the field of cosmetology, including:

    • Cosmetologist
    • Hair/Makeup Stylist
    • Manicurist
    • Esthetician
    • Platform Artist

    After completing the program, you will be ready to apply for your cosmetology practitioner’s license from the Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS).

    Program News

    Jill Mion, left, senior instructor at Madison College and owner of Temptd Salon and Spa
    New cosmetology externship model connects students to industry
    The hands-on model also offers students tuition savings and streamlines curriculum
    Jason Boatright barbering master class
    Madison College grad a cut about the rest
    Jason Boatright owns the B. Right Barbershop in Sun Prairie.
  • Curriculum and Experience

    Prospective program students, the information below reflects the basic requirements for students admitted for the 2024-2025 academic year. To learn more about Madison College, visit us.

    Current and newly admitted program students, go directly to your Degree Progress Report to view:

    • Progress toward your specific requirements
    • Alternative (in lieu of) courses to meet specific requirements

    If you have questions after reviewing your degree progress report (advisement report), please see Advising Services.

    Prior to start of program
    10-502-330
    1 credit
    First Semester
    31-502-314
    3 credits
    31-502-315
    1 credit
    31-502-331
    4 credits
    31-502-397
    2 credits
    Second Semester
    31-502-333
    2 credits
    31-502-335
    2 credits
    31-502-346
    2 credits
    31-502-361
    2 credits
    Third Semester
    31-502-337
    2 credits
    31-502-339
    2 credits
    31-502-362
    2 credits
    31-502-363
    2 credits
    31-502-398
    1 credit
  • Admission

    To Apply

    Earning a degree is a great way to advance your career development opportunities, so apply today!

    International students who wish to apply for, maintain, or transfer their F-1 student visa status to Madison College are required to complete the International Admission Process.

    Application Dates

    Fall 2024

    • Application open
    • Application completion deadline is August 15, 2024

    Spring 2025

    • Application open
    • Application completion deadline is December 31, 2024

    Admission Requirements

    All materials must be submitted by the application deadline.

    1. Admission Application

    The online application allows you to save your work as you complete it and ensures fast, secure delivery to our office.

    2. Education Completion

    Official transcripts must be sent from the institutions you attended and indicate one of the following:

    • High school  transcript (current high school seniors may submit an in-progress transcript)
    • GED/HSED transcript
    • College transcript(s) showing:
      • Completion of an associate degree or higher, or
      • At least 30 credits completed with a minimum GPA of 2.0 on a 4-point scale
        • The credits must be completed at a single college and cannot be combined with other transcripts
        • Any transfer credit listed on a transcript does not count toward the 30-credit minimum

    All high school and/or college transcripts are recommended to be submitted for Credit for Prior Learning evaluation.

    Additional Notes

    • Class capacity is limited and is available on a first come, first served basis.
    • Course prerequisites differ from admission requirements; admission into a program does not guarantee eligibility to enroll in courses or success in the program. Refer to program curriculum for details.

    After Acceptance

    Once you have been admitted into your program, complete the Next Steps after Program Acceptance to prepare for your first day of classes at Madison College.

    Questions?

    Contact Enrollment Services at EnrollmentServices@madisoncollege.edu or 608.246.6210.

    apply for admission

    Get Started!

    Apply to Madison College and take the first step towards your Cosmetology career.

    It's Free to Apply

  • Career Outcomes

    After completing the Cosmetology program at Madison Area Technical College, you will be able to:

    • Perform shampoo, haircut, and style services
    • Perform skin care services
    • Perform chemical services
    • Perform nail services
    • Develop business practices for industry success
    • Graduate Summary

      Graduate Report Summary Overview

      202020212022
      Number of Program Graduates381029
      Number of Surveys Sent381016
      Number of Surveys Returned201012
      Percent of Surveys Returned
      Available for Employment16912
      Percent Available for Employment80.00%90.00%100.00%
      Not in Labor Market
      Percent Not in Labor Market20.00%10.00%0.00%
      Available for Employment

      202020212022
      Graduates Employed12911
      Percent of Graduates Employed75.00%100.00%91.70%
      Employed in Related Occupation1199
      Percent Employed in Related Occupation91.70%100.00%81.80%
      Employed in Unrelated Occupation102
      Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation8.30%0.00%18.20%
      Employed - No Response000
      Percent Employed - No Response0.00%0.00%0.00%
      Seeking Employment401
      Percent Seeking Employment25.00%0.00%8.30%
      Reaction To Training at Madison College

      202020212022
      Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4)3.13.63.7
      Number of Satisfaction Responses201012
      Very Satisfied (4)668
      Percent Very Satisfied30.00%60.00%66.70%
      Satisfied (3)1144
      Percent Satisfied55.00%40.00%33.30%
      Unsatisfied (2)100
      Percent Unsatisfied5.00%0.00%0.00%
      Very Unsatisfed (1)200
      Percent Very Unsatisfied10.00%0.00%0.00%
      Primary Reason for Attending Madison College

      202020212022
      Number of Primary Reason Responses201012
      Preparation for Getting a Job964
      Percent Preparation for Getting a Job45.00%60.00%33.30%
      Career Change623
      Percent Career Change30.00%20.00%25.00%
      Improvement of Existing Skills001
      Percent Improvement of Existing Skills0.00%0.00%8.30%
      Preparation for Further Education112
      Percent Preparation for Further Education5.00%10.00%16.70%
      Personal Interest412
      Percent Personal Interest20.00%10.00%16.70%
      Other000
      Percent Other0.00%0.00%0.00%
      When Employment was Obtained

      202020212022
      Number of When Employment Obtained Responses12911
      Before Enrollment000
      Percent Before Enrollment0.00%0.00%0.00%
      While Attending the College111
      Percent While Attending the College8.30%11.10%9.10%
      After Training at the College11810
      Percent After Training at the College91.70%88.90%90.90%
      Location of Employment (related and unrelated)

      202020212022
      Number of Employment Location Responses1299
      In College District1189
      Percent In College District91.70%88.90%100.00%
      In Wisconsin, Not in District000
      Percent of In Wisconsin0.00%0.00%0.00%
      Outside of Wisconsin010
      Percent Outside Wisconsin0.00%11.10%0.00%
      Employer Location Unknown100
      Percent Location Unknown8.30%0.00%0.00%
      Salary Trend
      Salary Trend202020212022
      Full Time Employment (Related Job)Full Time Salary Count438
      Average Monthly Wage$1,699$3,220$3,540
      Average Hourly Wage$9.88$18.72$20.58
      Average Work Hours per Week38.442.344.6
      Part Time Employment (Related Job)Part Time Salary Count521
      Average Hourly Wage$11.00$13.50$15.00
      Average Work Hours per Week25.728.332
    • Graduate Employers

      Graduate Employers for academic year: 2022
      Employer(s)Job TitleCity*State**Positions
      Alan Koa Salon and SpaHair Stylist
      Genesis Hair and Day SpaCosmetologist/HairdresserDeForest
      Gents Classic BarbershopBarberMenomonee Falls
      Lotus SalonHair StylistSun Prairie
      Neat Fades BarbershopBarber
      PROSE NailsNail Artist/Technician
      Salon CentricHair Stylist
      Self-EmployedStylist
      Temptd Salon And SpaCosmetologistMonona

      * - Only cities outside of Madison will display.

      ** - Only states outside of Wisconsin will display.

      *** - If you have a position to post, please contact Career and Employment Services at jobpostings@madisoncollege.edu

Ready to get started?
Your first step is to apply to Madison College. It's easy and free to apply, so get started today!