If you're researching esthetician school cost in California, here's the direct answer: at Beyond, the 600-hour esthetician program is $11,206.50 total. This guide breaks down what that covers, the state fees that come on top, your day or evening scheduling options, and how federal financial aid can lower your out-of-pocket cost. Real numbers, no padding. Beyond has trained licensed beauty professionals since 1997 and is a Dermalogica partner school.
What esthetician school costs at Beyond
Our 600-hour esthetician program is $11,206.50 total, stated up front. That's the figure to anchor your budget on. The 600 hours is the California requirement to qualify for the state esthetician license through the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology.
What the price covers
The price covers your full course of instruction plus your student kit, so you have the products and tools to train and practice. The curriculum is built around Dermalogica, a globally recognized professional skincare line, so you learn on products and protocols the industry actually uses. Your training covers:
- Facials, skin analysis, and treatment protocols
- Eyebrow lamination and tinting
- Lash lifts and tinting
- Hair removal, including waxing
- Chemical peels
- Makeup application
- Sanitation and safety — the core of what the state board tests
- California law and salon regulations
For the record, the $11,206.50 total breaks down as $9,804 tuition, $1,300 for your Dermalogica kit, plus standard esthetician kit and books, a $75 registration fee, and $27.50 for the state Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF). That's the all-in price you pay the school — no surprise add-ons.
Day or evening: the only program with both
Esthetician is Beyond's only program offered on both schedules. The full-time daytime track runs about five months; the part-time tracks (day or evening) run about seven and a half months since you're attending fewer hours per week. If you work days, the evening option lets you train without quitting your job — our guide to esthetician school evening classes in LA County covers how that schedule works. Choose the track that fits your life, and the total price is the same either way.
State board and license fees
Plan for fees beyond what you pay the school. The California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology charges a state board exam fee (currently $115 for estheticians, which also covers your application and first license). It's separate from your school costs and modest next to tuition, but budgeting for it keeps the true cost of getting licensed clear. Check the board's site for the current amount before you apply to test.
How financial aid lowers the cost
Good news: the esthetician program is FAFSA-eligible. File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid at studentaid.gov (it's free — never pay anyone to file it for you) using Beyond's school code 041482. Based on your FAFSA, you may qualify for a Pell Grant — need-based money you don't repay. The federal maximum is $7,395 for a full academic year; prorated for the 600-hour esthetician program, that's up to about $4,930 for the 2026–27 award year (longer programs like cosmetology can qualify for more). For many students, the Pell Grant covers a large share of the cost. Whatever aid doesn't cover, a payment plan can spread the balance across your program, and federal student loans are available through FAFSA too. Our financial aid page walks through exactly how this works at Beyond.
Prep for the state board exam
Getting licensed means passing the California esthetician state board, which includes a written exam. Start early with our free esthetician state board practice exam, which mirrors the topics the state tests. Using it before you enroll is also a low-stakes way to confirm the field interests you.
Get your numbers in writing
Want a clear breakdown of tuition, kit, fees, and the aid you might qualify for? Book a free campus tour or call (562) 404-6193. We're at 13640 Imperial Highway, Suites 6-8, Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670, serving the LA/Orange County border.
