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Nail tech school in California

18 nail technician programs with costs, results and funding that can make them free

17 schools offer these nail technician programs, and California has approved every one for workforce funding. Each shows its price if you pay yourself and how past students did.

Nail technicians clean, shape and decorate fingernails and toenails. A license usually takes a state-approved nail technician or cosmetology program and a state exam.1

In California, 3 of the 18 programs take students without a high school diploma, 14 ask for a diploma or equivalent and 1 asks for earlier courses first.

All 18 are the same kind of program: nail technician license program.

See the 18 programs

How much does nail tech school cost in California?

$3,051 to $4,711 is what most nail technician programs in California cost if you pay yourself

That is the middle half of the 18 programs with a price. All of them: $210 to $8,969

In the typical program

Finished the program
87%
Working 6 months later
50%
Earned a year, estimated
about $33,300
Length
10 to 19 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 California may also offer nail tech school. How these figures are made

Is there free nail tech school in California?

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

All 18 nail technician programs in California approved for WIOA funding

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18 programs

  • Nail technician license programHybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Manicurist

    Milan Institute

    Visalia

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Milan Institute, VisaliaNail technician license program · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$8,969
    School website, Manicurist at Milan Institute
    More details about Manicurist at Milan Institute
    Finished
    71%
    Working at 6 months
    38%
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    24 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,731
    Students counted
    862
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $8,969
    School website, Manicurist at Milan Institute

  • Nail technician license programHybridNo diploma needed

    Manicuring 400

    Cosmotek College

    San Jose

    No diploma needed

    Cosmotek College, San JoseNail technician license programHybrid · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$4,000
    More details about Manicuring 400 at Cosmotek College
    Finished
    99%
    Working at 6 months
    85%
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    12 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,450
    Students counted
    415
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $4,000

  • Nail technician license programIn personNo diploma needed

    Cosmetology Specialist Manicurist

    West Valley Occupational Center - LAUSD

    Woodland Hills

    No diploma needed

    West Valley Occupational Center - LAUSD, Woodland HillsNail technician license programIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimated$16,900
    Price if you pay yourself$210
    Program website, Cosmetology Specialist Manicurist at West Valley Occupational Center - LAUSD
    More details about Cosmetology Specialist Manicurist at West Valley Occupational Center - LAUSD
    Finished
    83%
    Working at 6 months
    47%
    Earned in a quarter
    $4,220
    Length
    4 weeks, 15 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $971
    Students counted
    192
    Earned a year, estimated
    $16,900
    Price if you pay yourself
    $210
    Program website, Cosmetology Specialist Manicurist at West Valley Occupational Center - LAUSD

  • Nail technician license programIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Manicurist

    Los Angeles College of Aesthetics

    Los Angeles

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Los Angeles College of Aesthetics, Los AngelesNail technician license program · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$38,900
    Price if you pay yourself$4,000

    6 students trained with WIOA funding

    More details about Manicurist at Los Angeles College of Aesthetics
    Finished
    83%
    Working at 6 months
    28%
    Earned in a quarter
    $9,725
    Length
    16 weeks, 25 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,736
    Students counted
    169
    Earned a year, estimated
    $38,900
    Price if you pay yourself
    $4,000
    students trained with WIOA funding
    6

  • Nail technician license programIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Manicuring

    Cosmetica Beauty and Barbering Academy

    Downey

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Cosmetica Beauty and Barbering Academy, DowneyNail technician license program · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$33,300
    Price if you pay yourself$2,080
    Program website, Manicuring at Cosmetica Beauty and Barbering Academy
    More details about Manicuring at Cosmetica Beauty and Barbering Academy
    Finished
    90%
    Working at 6 months
    43%
    Earned in a quarter
    $8,320
    Length
    24 weeks, 16 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,188
    Students counted
    112
    Earned a year, estimated
    $33,300
    Price if you pay yourself
    $2,080
    Program website, Manicuring at Cosmetica Beauty and Barbering Academy

  • Nail technician license programIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Manicuring (direct)

    Marmel Beauty Academy, Inc.

    North Hollywood

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Marmel Beauty Academy, Inc., North HollywoodNail technician license programIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$35,400
    Price if you pay yourself$3,500
    Program website, Manicuring (direct) at Marmel Beauty Academy, Inc.
    More details about Manicuring (direct) at Marmel Beauty Academy, Inc.
    Finished
    87%
    Working at 6 months
    75%
    Earned in a quarter
    $8,840
    Length
    20 weeks, 20 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $700
    Students counted
    99
    Earned a year, estimated
    $35,400
    Price if you pay yourself
    $3,500
    Program website, Manicuring (direct) at Marmel Beauty Academy, Inc.

  • Nail technician license programHybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Manicure

    International College of Cosmetology

    Oakland

    High school diploma or equivalent

    International College of Cosmetology, OaklandNail technician license programHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$3,075
    More details about Manicure at International College of Cosmetology
    Finished
    71%
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    10 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $888
    Students counted
    68
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $3,075

  • Nail technician license programIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Nail Tech (Manicurist)

    KZ Academy

    Milpitas

    High school diploma or equivalent

    KZ Academy, MilpitasNail technician license programIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$51,000
    Price if you pay yourself$3,920
    Program website, Nail Tech (Manicurist) at KZ Academy
    More details about Nail Tech (Manicurist) at KZ Academy
    Finished
    89%
    Working at 6 months
    70%
    Earned in a quarter
    $12,750
    Length
    10 weeks, 30 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $650
    Students counted
    68
    Earned a year, estimated
    $51,000
    Price if you pay yourself
    $3,920
    Program website, Nail Tech (Manicurist) at KZ Academy

  • Nail technician license programIn personEducation and courses

    Manicuring

    Hesperia Unified School District - Hesperia Adult School

    Hesperia

    Education and courses

    Hesperia Unified School District - Hesperia Adult School, HesperiaNail technician license programIn person · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimated$19,800
    Price if you pay yourself$2,300
    Program website, Manicuring at Hesperia Unified School District - Hesperia Adult School
    More details about Manicuring at Hesperia Unified School District - Hesperia Adult School
    Finished
    100%
    Working at 6 months
    93%
    Earned in a quarter
    $4,949
    Length
    30 weeks, 20 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    58
    Earned a year, estimated
    $19,800
    Price if you pay yourself
    $2,300
    Program website, Manicuring at Hesperia Unified School District - Hesperia Adult School

  • Nail technician license programIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Nail Program

    Santa Clara Beauty College

    Santa Clara

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Santa Clara Beauty College, Santa ClaraNail technician license programIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$3,600
    Program website, Nail Program at Santa Clara Beauty College
    More details about Nail Program at Santa Clara Beauty College
    Finished
    75%
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    10 weeks, 50 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $2,010
    Students counted
    52
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $3,600
    Program website, Nail Program at Santa Clara Beauty College

  • Nail technician license programIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Nail Care (Manicurist)

    Rtc College

    Jurupa Valley

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Rtc College, Jurupa ValleyNail technician license programIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$8,500
    Price if you pay yourself$5,740
    Program website, Nail Care (Manicurist) at Rtc College
    More details about Nail Care (Manicurist) at Rtc College
    Finished
    69%
    Working at 6 months
    13%
    Earned in a quarter
    $2,126
    Length
    10 weeks, 20 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $910
    Students counted
    50
    Earned a year, estimated
    $8,500
    Price if you pay yourself
    $5,740
    Program website, Nail Care (Manicurist) at Rtc College

  • Nail technician license programIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Manicuring/ Nail Care

    Hilltop Beauty School Inc.

    Daly City

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Hilltop Beauty School Inc., Daly CityNail technician license program · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$78,500
    Price if you pay yourself$3,043
    School website, Manicuring/ Nail Care at Hilltop Beauty School Inc.
    More details about Manicuring/ Nail Care at Hilltop Beauty School Inc.
    Finished
    95%
    Working at 6 months
    71%
    Earned in a quarter
    $19,625
    Length
    10 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $450
    Students counted
    25
    Earned a year, estimated
    $78,500
    Price if you pay yourself
    $3,043
    School website, Manicuring/ Nail Care at Hilltop Beauty School Inc.

  • Nail technician license programIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Manicurist

    American Beauty Academy

    Brawley

    High school diploma or equivalent

    American Beauty Academy, BrawleyNail technician license programIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$19,200
    Price if you pay yourself$4,594

    20 students trained with WIOA funding

    More details about Manicurist at American Beauty Academy
    Finished
    100%
    Working at 6 months
    50%
    Earned in a quarter
    $4,800
    Length
    10 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,868
    Students counted
    20
    Earned a year, estimated
    $19,200
    Price if you pay yourself
    $4,594
    students trained with WIOA funding
    20

  • Nail technician license programIn personNo diploma needed

    Nail Technician

    Kern High School District-Rop

    Bakersfield

    No diploma needed

    Kern High School District-Rop, BakersfieldNail technician license programIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$3,000
    School website, Nail Technician at Kern High School District-Rop
    More details about Nail Technician at Kern High School District-Rop
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    41 weeks, 9 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $3,000
    School website, Nail Technician at Kern High School District-Rop

  • Nail technician license programIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Manicuring

    San Bernardino Beauty College, Inc.

    San Bernardino

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    San Bernardino Beauty College, Inc., San BernardinoNail technician license program · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$4,000
    More details about Manicuring at San Bernardino Beauty College, Inc.
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    17 weeks, 50 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $588
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $4,000

  • Nail technician license programHybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Nail Technology

    San Francisco Institute of Esthetics & Cosmetology

    San Francisco

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    San Francisco Institute of Esthetics & Cosmetology, San FranciscoNail technician license program · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$4,750
    Program website, Nail Technology at San Francisco Institute of Esthetics & Cosmetology
    More details about Nail Technology at San Francisco Institute of Esthetics & Cosmetology
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    12 weeks, 23 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,415
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $4,750
    Program website, Nail Technology at San Francisco Institute of Esthetics & Cosmetology

  • Nail technician license programIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Manicuring

    Paris Beauty School

    Concord

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Paris Beauty School, ConcordNail technician license programIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$5,108
    Program website, Manicuring at Paris Beauty School
    More details about Manicuring at Paris Beauty School
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    10 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,871
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $5,108
    Program website, Manicuring at Paris Beauty School

  • Nail technician license programIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Nail Technician

    San Bernardino Beauty College, Inc.

    San Bernardino

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    San Bernardino Beauty College, Inc., San BernardinoNail technician license program · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$6,000
    More details about Nail Technician at San Bernardino Beauty College, Inc.
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    17 weeks, 50 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $668
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $6,000

How to pay for nail tech school in California

WIOA funding can pay for nail tech school in California

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 nail tech 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 nail tech 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.

Quick facts: Nail tech school in California

programs with a price cost under $3,000
3 of 18
lowest typical price among the states with enough programs to compare
7th of 16
most nail technician programs of any state, after Washington
2nd

State comparisons use the same figures as the nail tech school by state table: the middle program of each state, and only states with three or more schools for prices. Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025).

Nail tech school in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Riverside and other California cities

Choosing an area filters the program list above. 1 more program is in 1 other area.

Other training in California

How nail tech school compares with the rest of beauty and personal care: Beauty school in California

Where the California nail technician program numbers come from

Which California nail technician programs are on this list?

These are the nail technician programs California 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 California offers.

How the prices and results of California nail technician 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 nail tech school in California

Show the 9 sourcesHide the sources
  1. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Manicurists and Pedicurists
  2. US Department of Labor, TrainingProviderResults.gov: About This Site
  3. US Department of Labor: WIOA Adult Program
  4. Code of Federal Regulations, title 20, part 680, sections 680.220, 680.230 and 680.310: career services before training, other grants such as Pell Grants first, and limits on Individual Training Accounts (GovInfo, 2024 edition)
  5. US Department of Labor: American Job Centers
  6. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Eligibility for Federal Student Aid
  7. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Don't Miss Out on Federal Pell Grants
  8. US Department of Veterans Affairs: GI Bill benefits for non-college degree programs
  9. US Department of Labor, Training and Employment Guidance Letter 8-19, Attachment I: Requirements for Training Providers, Program Eligibility, and the State Eligible Training Provider (ETP) List