Cosmetology, Esthetician & Nail Tech School Near South Gate, CA

Accredited cosmetology, esthetician, and nail tech programs — about 20 minutes from South Gate.

Beyond 21st Century Beauty Academy is in Santa Fe Springs, about 20 minutes east of South Gate — the 105 east to the 605 north, then Imperial Highway. We draw students from across the southeast Los Angeles corridor: South Gate, Lynwood, Cudahy, Huntington Park, Bell and Maywood. This is a heavily bilingual part of the county, so one question comes up constantly and deserves a direct answer. Instruction at Beyond is in English. The California State Board written exam, though, is offered in multiple languages — so being more comfortable in Spanish does not disadvantage you when you sit for the license. You do need to be able to follow instruction in English to get through the program.

We are accredited by NACCAS and approved by the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology. Here's what we offer:
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‍Cosmetology School — 1,000 hours The broadest California beauty license. Covers hair services, skincare fundamentals, and nail services. Day and full and part-time schedules available. Total cost: $17,560. Financial aid available to those who qualify.

‍Esthetician School — 600 hours An esthetician license focused on skincare services: facials, waxing, chemical peels, brow lamination, lash lifts, and more. We are an official Dermalogica partner school — students receive a Dermalogica kit at enrollment and attend field trips to Dermalogica's global headquarters. Day and evening options. Total cost: $11,206.50.

‍Nail Tech School — 400 hours California's manicurist license with Aprés Gel-X Certification included. Approximately 5 months part-time, with evening classes available. Total cost: $5,595.

The Southeast LA Salon Corridor

Our Salon Finder tracks roughly 525 licensed salons and spas across the immediate corridor — 148 in South Gate, 127 in Bell, 124 in Huntington Park, 88 in Lynwood and 38 in Maywood — packed into a very small geographic area. For a newly licensed cosmetologist or manicurist, that density is an advantage: a first job is likely to be within a few miles of home, and you are not depending on a single employer or a long commute to get started. Our founder Miss Maria has over 47 years of experience in the beauty industry and is a two-time Teacher of the Year and CCA School Owner of the Year. We've graduated over 2,100 licensed beauty professionals since 1997, and our alumni work in salons across southeast Los Angeles County.

Financial Aid for South Gate Students

Federal Pell Grants and Direct Loans are available to eligible students in our cosmetology and esthetician programs. Our FAFSA school code is 041482. The manicuring program is shorter than the federal minimum and is not eligible for federal aid — it has a payment plan instead. Contact our admissions team to talk through what you may qualify for before you commit to anything.
‍Learn about financial aid →

Community College vs. private cosmetology school in LA + OC

Many South Gate students weigh community college vs. private cosmetology school in  LA + OC — here's the comparison.

Nearby Cities

We serve students from across the southeast LA corridor. If the drive from South Gate feels manageable, these nearby cities are well within range too: