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Ohio State School of Cosmetology Review: Tuition, Programs & Is It Worth It?

GradeToGrad Editorial Team

March 31, 2026

Ohio State School of Cosmetology charges $22,200-$26,550 for cosmetology training. 72% graduation rate. Honest review with alternatives.

Overview

Ohio State School of Cosmetology (part of Salon Schools Group) operates multiple campuses across Ohio including Heath, Canal Winchester, and Marion. Despite the name, it is not affiliated with The Ohio State University — it's a private cosmetology school.

The school offers cosmetology, esthetics, and nail technology programs designed to meet Ohio's 1,500-hour training requirement for licensure.

Programs & Tuition

Program	Hours	Tuition	Duration
Cosmetology (Heath)	1,500	$26,550	16 months
Cosmetology (Canal Winchester)	1,500	$22,900	14 months
Cosmetology (Marion)	1,500	$22,200	~14 months
Advanced Esthetics	Varies	Varies	~10-12 months

Outcomes

Graduation rate (Heath): 72%
Graduation rate (Canal Winchester): 61%
6-year earnings (Heath): $23,752/year
6-year earnings (Canal Winchester): $18,363/year
Enrollment: ~92-142 students per campus

The Cosmetology Career Reality

The 6-year earnings of $18,000-24,000 reflect the reality of early-career cosmetology work. Most graduates start as junior stylists or booth renters earning $25,000-35,000. Experienced stylists and those who build a client base can earn $40,000-60,000+. Salon owners and specialists (color, extensions) earn more.

Pros

Multiple Ohio locations — Heath, Canal Winchester, Marion, and more
Meets Ohio licensure requirements — 1,500 hours of approved training
72% graduation rate at Heath — above average for beauty schools
Financial aid available — including up to $2,500 in institutional scholarships

Cons

Expensive — $22,200-26,550 is above the national average of $16,042 for cosmetology programs
Modest earnings — $18,000-24,000 at six years is below the national median
Not affiliated with Ohio State University — the name can be misleading
No degree — certificate only, not transferable

Alternatives in Ohio

Ohio community colleges and career centers often offer cosmetology programs at lower cost:

Lorain County CC and other Ohio CCs may offer cosmetology at community college pricing
Aveda institutes in Ohio offer salon-brand training
Paul Mitchell schools in Ohio — another salon brand option

Is It Worth It?

If you're committed to a cosmetology career in Ohio, this school meets the state's requirements. But shop around — compare tuition with other Ohio beauty schools and community college options before committing to $22,000-26,000.

Next Steps

Compare Ohio colleges on GradeToGrad
Ohio community colleges for alternative programs