Cosmetology school in Rhode Island

2 cosmetology programs with costs, results and funding that can make them free

2 schools offer these cosmetology programs, and Rhode Island has approved every one for workforce funding. Each shows its price if you pay yourself and how past students did.

Hairstylists and cosmetologists shampoo, cut, color and style hair. Every state requires a license: you finish a state-approved program, which usually leads to a certificate, and then pass a state licensing exam.¹

In Rhode Island, both programs ask for a high school diploma or equivalent.

Both are the same kind of program: cosmetology license program.

See the 2 programs

How much does cosmetology school cost in Rhode Island?

$16,128 to $16,320

from the lowest-priced program to the highest, if you pay yourself

These two programs

Finished the program: 42% to 88%
Working 6 months later: 67% to 86%
Earned a year, estimated: about $19,900 to $21,800
Length: 30 to 40 weeks

Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Only programs approved for workforce funding are listed; other schools in Rhode Island may also offer cosmetology school. How these figures are made

Is there free cosmetology school in Rhode Island?

Yes, if you qualify. WIOA (public workforce funding) can pay for any program on this page, in full or in part, depending on local limits.²³⁴In program year 2024 it paid toward the training of at least 20 people at 2 of the 2 programs here.
Ask an American Job Center whether you qualify, or call 1-877-872-5627.⁵ Before funding training, the center goes through an assessment and a career plan with you.⁴
Or pay yourself. These programs cost $16,128 to $16,320.

Who qualifies, and other ways to pay: financial aid, grants and the GI Bill

All 2 cosmetology programs in Rhode Island approved for WIOA funding

2 programs

Cosmetology license programIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent
Cosmetology
Collectiv Academy
Cranston
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Collectiv Academy, CranstonCosmetology license program · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$21,800
Price if you pay yourself$16,128
7 students trained with WIOA funding
Program website, Cosmetology at Collectiv Academy
More details about Cosmetology at Collectiv Academy
Finished
88%
Working at 6 months
86%
Earned in a quarter
$5,441
Length
30 weeks, 40 hours a week
Cost of supplies
$3,558
Students counted
412
Earned a year, estimated
$21,800
Price if you pay yourself
$16,128
students trained with WIOA funding
7
Program website, Cosmetology at Collectiv Academy
Cosmetology license programIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent
Cosmetology
Empire Beauty School
Providence
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Empire Beauty School, ProvidenceCosmetology license program · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$19,900
Price if you pay yourself$16,320
13 students trained with WIOA funding
Program website, Cosmetology at Empire Beauty School
More details about Cosmetology at Empire Beauty School
Finished
42%
Working at 6 months
67%
Earned in a quarter
$4,969
Length
40 weeks, 30 hours a week
Cost of supplies
$193
Students counted
249
Earned a year, estimated
$19,900
Price if you pay yourself
$16,320
students trained with WIOA funding
13
Program website, Cosmetology at Empire Beauty School

How to pay for cosmetology school in Rhode Island

WIOA funding can pay for cosmetology school in Rhode Island

Every program on this page is approved for it. Whether you qualify, how much your local area pays and how to apply are on our page Does WIOA pay for job training?

Financial aid and grants for cosmetology school

Most students can get federal student aid for college, career school or trade school. A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, usually doesn't have to be repaid. Ask the school whether its program qualifies.⁶⁷

GI Bill for cosmetology school

Veterans, service members and qualified dependents can use GI Bill benefits for non-college training programs.⁸

The program list does not show which programs accept these. Ask the school.

Other training in Rhode Island

How cosmetology school compares with the rest of beauty and personal care: Beauty school in Rhode Island

Where the Rhode Island cosmetology program numbers come from

Which Rhode Island cosmetology programs are on this list?

These are the cosmetology programs Rhode Island approved for WIOA funding (public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), as reported to the US Department of Labor for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Each state keeps its approved programs on an eligible training provider list (ETPL).⁹ The list here covers programs approved as of June 30, 2025. Schools that never applied for approval are missing, so this is a part of what Rhode Island offers.

How the prices and results of Rhode Island cosmetology programs are measured

Prices are tuition and required fees for someone paying without workforce funding, as the school reported them; check the current price with the school. Results describe students who left each program in recent years, so they are no guarantee, and the yearly earnings are the reported quarter times four, an estimate. A program without a "Trained with WIOA funding" line may still take WIOA students. Where a field was left empty or withheld, the page says "Not reported", and "Left out" where a figure was filed but failed one of our checks; nothing is estimated to fill a gap. Where the numbers come from explains each figure in full.

Sources for the facts about cosmetology school in Rhode Island

Show the 9 sourcesHide the sources

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