Going to class for your nail technician license can truly be a life-changing thing that can lead to having a successful career. According to Milady, becoming a nail technician can cost anywhere from $3,000 – to $10,000 in the United States. Often, costs associated with obtaining your nail technician license include:
- Price of tuition
- Nail supplies and tools
- Cost of taking the test to obtain a state license
The steps to becoming a nail technician will vary from state to state, so the cost of tuition will depend on how much education and hands-on training the state governing body requires. In addition, different schools will charge different amounts of money, and while cost isn’t always commensurate with quality, the value of your education will be determined by the quality of coursework and the school you attend.
How Do I Choose The Right Nail School?
Although cost is an important factor for many people, the quality of your nail technician education is the most important. While some schools only offer basic training and the bare minimum required to pass your license exam, other schools host special events or career and networking days to help budding nail techs obtain employment with top salons in the area.
If you don’t have employment lined up after graduation, choosing a school with these additional resources and benefits may be better in the long run. In addition, it’s important to look out for nail technician courses that fit with your schedule and lifestyle. Some nail technician schools will provide online courses, which may help you achieve your required education even if you have a busy schedule.
How Much Does It Cost To Become A Nail Technician In Illinois Or Chicago?
Nail technician courses in Illinois and Chicagoland vary depending on the school and can cost anywhere from $1,700 to well over $8,000. That said, the amount you pay may be a factor in the quality of education you get.
For instance, one of the cheapest schools in Chicago normally costs $2,500. That said, the school itself has a low Google rating of just 3.4/5 stars, with a multitude of 1-star reviews complaining about rude teachers and out-of-date equipment. One past student said, “Attended the school and would NEVER go back nor would I EVER recommend that anyone attend the school.”
Another thing to be mindful of is schools with additional fees. Another school located in West Chicago boasts prices as low as $5,000, but when paid in installments, that cost goes all the way up to $8,000. These sorts of costs can greatly increase the overall prices of getting your nail technician license and make paying for classes and your license exam that much harder.
Things To Look Out For When Choosing A Nail Technician School
There are a few other considerations to take that will help you choose the best nail technician school or courses. Take a look at how many instructors the school has, as more teachers typically mean that more time and attention can be given to each student since classroom sizes are manageable. A nail technician school with just one instructor is a red flag.
Examine the nail school’s online presence, including its social media accounts. Quality nail schools will feature their students and even collaborate with online nail influencers and artists, and they should have good engagement from their students and nail technicians at large. You can also get a better idea of what to expect if you take courses at the school through pictures, videos, and events.
Similarly, coursework and availability should be laid out and made clear on the website, as restricted hours that don’t work with your schedule could make attending class much harder. Nail schools that hide this information on their website or when you call could have limited availability for classes.
Do Your Research
High-quality nail tech schools participate in local nail culture, stay in touch with previous alumni through events like career days, or host other specialized workshops. These acts indicate that the nail technician school is active within the community and stays up to date with the latest trends.
Do a thorough Google search to do your due diligence before spending money on courses, as it could be the difference between getting a solid education that will prepare you for a real-world job as a licensed nail technician and taking courses that will provide the bare minimum at best, or at worst, not properly prepare you for your state exam.
APlus Nail School has a 4.8/5-star rating on Google and provides affordable pricing with no hidden fees for a variety of courses, with the added benefit of career days, exclusive workshops, industry-leading tools and materials, and more. Learn more by requesting more information.
