A List of California Community Colleges With Esthetician Schools
Last updated on April 9th, 2024 at 03:36 pm
Want to be an esthetician but nervous about the cost of esthetician school? I don’t blame you. Some esthetician programs come with a price tag of $10,000 or more. A more expensive school doesn’t equal a better education; in fact, I was a Paul Mitchell School esthetics instructor for a while, and I saw no difference between that program and the community college (CC) program I attended.
So before you commit to paying thousands of dollars for the first program you come across, take the time to explore whether there’s a community college or local trade school nearby offering an esthetics program.
Want to learn more about becoming an esthetician? Check out this blog post.
Why a Community College Esthetics Program?
Community college programs are affordable, and you can even tap into grants, scholarships, and other benefits CC college students receive to help you cover the costs. A CC esthetician school costs a set amount per unit, plus any enrollment fees and additional fees like health or transportation fees. If you are an out-of-state resident, your fees will be a bit higher.
I’m lucky enough to live within a 45-minute drive of Santa Barbara, CA. Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) hosts an esthetician program that is very affordable. Currently, the program cost is $2,200 excluding the state board test fee of $115.
When I attended the SBCC esthetician program, I qualified for grants and fee waivers that covered most of my program expenses, including my complete student kit with skincare products. I paid the rest out of pocket.
I understand how lucky I am to have access to such an excellent resource, and I know that not many students have that luxury. But during your search, I encourage you to explore all your options before you pick an esthetician program.
A List of Community Colleges in California Offering Esthetics Programs
Do you live in California? Curious if there’s a community college near you with an esthetics program? I’ve got you covered!
Here’s a compilation of California community colleges offering esthetician programs. It’s complete with contact details and links to program websites where you can delve into what they offer and the associated costs.
Southern California CC Esthetician Schools
Santa Barbara City College
525 Anacapa St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
805-683-4191
https://www.sbcc.edu/cosmetology/
Santa Monica College
1900 Pico Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA 90405
310-434-4000
Los Angeles Trade-Technical College
400 West Washington Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90015
213-763-5560
https://www.lattc.edu/academics/aos/skin-therapy
Cerritos College
11110 Alondra Boulevard, Norwalk, CA 90650
562-860-2451
https://www.cerritos.edu/cosmetology/esthetician-program.htm
Citrus College
1000 West Foothill Boulevard, Glendora, CA 91741
626-914-8710
https://www.citruscollege.edu/academics/programs/cos/Pages/default.aspx
Golden West College
15744 Goldenwest Street, Huntington Beach, CA 92647
714-895-8792
esthetician@gwc.cccd.edu
https://www.goldenwestcollege.edu/cosmo/index.html
Fullerton College
321 East Chapman Avenue, Fullerton, CA 92832
714-992-7000
**CURRENTLY (2024) NOT OFFERING ESTHETICIAN PROGRAM, COULD CHANGE IN THE FUTURE.
Saddleback College
28000 Marguerite Parkway, Mission Viejo, CA 92692
949-582-4500
https://www.saddleback.edu/programs-degrees/arts-media-performance-and-design/esthetician
Riverside Community College
4800 Magnolia Avenue, Riverside, CA 92506
951-222-8000
https://www.rcc.edu/pathways/advanced-technical-trades/esthetician.html
Victor Valley College
18422 Bear Valley Road, Victorville, CA 92392
760-245-4271
https://www.vvc.edu/cosmetology
**CURRENTLY (2024) NOT OFFERING ESTHETICIAN PROGRAM, BUT PLAN TO. KEEP CHECKING BACK.
San Diego City College
1313 Park Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92101
619-388-3400
https://www.sdcity.edu/academics/schools-programs/business-it-cosmo/cosmo/esthetician-program.aspx
Santiago Canyon College
8045 E. Chapman Avenue, Orange, CA 92869
714-628-4900
https://sccollege.edu/academics/areasofstudy/cosmetology/SitePages/Home.aspx
Northern California CC Esthetician Schools
San Jose City College
2100 Moorpark Avenue, San Jose, CA 95128
408-298-2181 ext. 3812
Esthetics@sjcc.edu
Skyline College
3300 College Drive, San Bruno, CA 94066
650-738-4100
https://skylinecollege.edu/cosmetology/esthetics.php
Best of Luck in Your Search for Esthetician Schools
The demand for skin care specialists is growing and will continue to do so for several years. Do you love the idea of performing skin care services like facial treatments, or waxing, lashes, makeup application, and more? Then, becoming a licensed esthetician is definitely for you.
If you’re committed to learning and are dedicated to your craft, find a school, complete your training hours, pass your State Boards, stay up-to-date on licensing requirements, and dedicate yourself to continuing education. Do all of this, and you will no doubt have a successful career.
Adriana Perez-Nakamura
Adriana Perez-Nakamura has been a CA-licensed esthetician since 2010. She owned a skincare studio in Ventura, CA for 9 years where she performed various treatments like facials, waxing, eyelash extensions, and spray tanning. Now, Adriana is a marketer within the beauty industry focusing on education and copywriting with a special interest in SEO writing.
