Northwest Technical College’s Cosmetology Academy offers the training and strong foundation you need for a successful career that withstands time. 

Whether you’re seeking to work as a stylist or want to own your own salon, the NTC Cosmetology Academy can help you achieve your dreams. In addition to general cosmetology principles, NTC’s program also will prepare you for more focused work in esthetics, advanced process esthetics or nail technology.

Our faculty bring more than 50 years of experience in the industry, which means that NTC Cosmetology Academy students get the most up-to-date and innovative teaching in the industry. We understand what you need to be successful in this field, and will provide the technical knowledge and skills you need to excel in an ever-expanding and constantly evolving industry. 

The NTC Cosmetology Academy offers a diploma in Cosmetology, which includes training in nail-care technology, esthetics and advanced practice esthetics. If you’re looking to specialize, you can enroll in separate certificate programs in nail-care technology or esthetics beginning in Fall 2025. 

Why Choose Cosmetology? 

Cosmetology offers in-demand jobs that fill a need in many communities. Minnesota’s Department of Employment and Economic Development is projecting a 17% increase in employment opportunities for hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists by 2030, with larger increases projected for skin-care specialists.

In addition, cosmetology offers a rare opportunity to combine artistic expression with technical skills, to interact with people from all walks of life every day, and to help people feel good about their appearances. You will make a positive impact on someone’s life every day that you’re on the job.  

Cosmetology Programs at NTC

Cosmetology Diploma

The Cosmetology program at Northwest Technical College offers a 56-credit program that can be completed in three semesters.

As part of the diploma in cosmetology, NTC Cosmetology Academy students will learn skills in esthetics, advanced practice esthetics and nail-care technology, which allows our graduates to pursue careers in those specialty areas. Stand-alone certificate programs in esthetics & advanced-practice esthetics and nail-care technology begin in Fall 2025. 

Faculty at NTC’s Cosmetology Academy will walk beside you throughout your journey and prepare you to offer in-demand services in the personal care industry. You’ll learn to provide a variety of services, including but not limited to haircuts, color and highlights, permanent waves, facials, makeup application, face and body waxing and manicures, pedicures and artificial nail enhancements. You can determine your own path — and your own success.  

Cosmetology Careers

Whatever your goals, the NTC Cosmetology Academy can prepare you for your future. Take the knowledge you gain in all aspects of hair, skin and nail care from NTC and jump start your career. 

A diploma from NTC and a cosmetology license can open many doors for you, including: 

• Hairstylist — as an employee or a booth-renter (independent contractor) 
• Salon manager 
• Platform artist 
• School manager 
• Cosmetology instructor 
• Product educator or sales representative 
• Product manufacturer, creating and marketing your own products 

Esthetics Certificate

Estheticians provide skin care services as part of the broader beauty and self-care industries, but also serves important health and wellness needs. Services provided by trained estheticians can address a number of skin-care concerns, while also following emerging fashion trends. NTC’s Cosmetology Academy provides the foundation you need for a successful career in this rapidly growing segment of the salon and spa industries.

Esthetics Training at NTC

You’ll learn to provide a variety of services, including but not limited to facials, waxing and temporary hair removal, makeup, massage, body treatments and light peels. Advanced Practice Esthetics includes all the services offered in the esthetics course, with the addition of dermaplaning, epidermal skin needling and chemical peels, advanced extractions, microdermabrasion and electrical energy treatments using galvanic current, high frequency, radio frequency ultrasound or light.

Esthetics and advanced-practice esthetics are offered as part of NTC’s cosmetology diploma, and will be available as stand-alone certificates beginning in Fall 2025. 

Esthetics Careers

A diploma from NTC and a cosmetology license can open many doors for you, including: 

• Esthetician (employee or treatment room renter)
• Spa therapist 
• Paramedical esthetician 
• Makeup artist (film, theater, fashion, print) 
• Management —  salon, spa or school  
• Platform artist 
• Instructor — esthetics or advanced practice esthetics 
• Skin-care educator 
• Product educator or sales representative 
• Product manufacturer, creating and marketing your own products 

Nail Technology Certificate

No matter where you go in today’s world, you will see beautiful hands and feet on display for all to see. NTC’s Cosmetology Academy provides the foundation you need for a successful career in this creative and in-demand profession.

Nail Technology Training at NTC

You’ll learn to provide a variety of services for both hands and feet, including but not limited to manicures and pedicures, gel manicures and pedicures, spa and specialty procedures and artificial nail enhancements.

Training as a nail technician is offered as part of NTC’s cosmetology diploma, and will be available as a stand-alone certificate beginning in Spring 2025.

Nail Technology Careers

A diploma from NTC and a cosmetology license can open many doors for you, including: 

• Nail technician (employee or independent contractor)
• Salon manager or owner 
• Nail technology school manager or instructor 
• Platform artist 
• Product educator or sales representative 
• Product manufacturer, creating and marketing your own products 

Cosmetology License

Practicing cosmetologists are licensed by the Minnesota Board of Cosmetology, ensuring that practitioners, salon owners and schools uphold high standards and clean, safe environments for their clients. Licensing also ensures customers that they are receiving services from a trained professional. 

Why Choose NTC? 

Hands-on Experience. If you want an education that’s about more than books and lecture halls, NTC’s Cosmetology program is for you. Our program is hands-on from the first day of classes, 100 percent in-person and designed to ensure that each student gets one-on-one attention from outstanding faculty. 

Flexible Starts. NTC’s Cosmetology Academy also offers flexible start times. Students can begin the program in either Fall or Spring semesters.

Affordability. NTC is affordable. Yearly tuition at private beauty institutes can easily surpass $20,000, with no opportunity for financial aid. The NTC Cosmetology Academy’s 56-credit program can be completed for just over $11,000.

Financial Aid. Through programs such as Minnesota’s North Star Promise Scholarship or the American Indian Scholars programs, qualifying students can attend with their tuition and fees completely covered.

In-State Tuition. Plus, NTC does not charge out-of-state tuition. Whether you’re coming from across the street or around the globe, you’ll pay the same low tuition rate.  

Add it up and the choice is clear — the NTC Cosmetology Academy offers an affordable, accessible path to your dream career. 

Apply

Applying to Northwest Technical College is easy — and it’s free. We do not charge an application fee. After submitting a simple online application, you may be asked to share additional documents, such as transcripts from any previous schools you may have attended.