First Class Cosmetology School

With an undergraduate population of 104 students, the campus environment is intimate and concentrated. The school is located in an urban setting on State Street in Beloit. Campus life revolves entirely around the trade-school model; there is no mention of traditional collegiate amenities like dormitories, dining halls, or NCAA athletics. Student activities are presumably focused on practical skill-building, clinic work, and preparing for state board exams. The small, dedicated cohort likely fosters a close-knit, workshop-style community where everyone is training for the same industry.

The school reports strong completion rates for a vocational program. One source cites a 6-year graduation rate of 86%, while another notes a 63% graduation rate (the discrepancy may relate to different timeframes or program definitions). The most recent data shows a median earnings figure of $26,792 for students ten years after entry, placing graduates near the 51st percentile among peers. This earnings outcome is a direct reflection of the school's mission: to place graduates into the beauty and wellness workforce with a marketable credential. Success is measured by licensure and entry into the trade, not by graduate school placements or research accolades.

The average net price students pay after grants and scholarships is $17,777. Various sources report similar net prices ranging from $15,994 to $17,821, reflecting the use of different datasets and years. Financial aid is widely available; 75% of full-time beginning undergraduates receive grant or scholarship aid, with the average aid package reported at $4,817. As a federally accredited cosmetology school, students qualify for federal student aid via the FAFSA, which can include loans and grants. The school's financial aid philosophy, common among trade schools, is that assistance is awarded based on demonstrated need or academic achievement, with the goal of helping those with the greatest need access training.

First Class Cosmetology School stands out for its utter lack of pretense and single-minded purpose. It is not a college trying to be all things to all people; it is a trade school that does one thing very deliberately: trains beauty industry professionals. Its 100% acceptance rate and open admissions policy make it uniquely accessible, serving as a direct on-ramp for students who have a clear vocational goal. The environment is the antithesis of a sprawling university campus—it's a small, urban workshop where every class, every dollar, and every hour is invested in mastering a craft. For a student certain they want to be a cosmetologist, barber, or esthetician, this school offers a streamlined, no-distractions path to licensure and a career, with a supportive, industry-focused culture that measures success by readiness for the salon floor.