Short answer: at Southern California College of Barber & Beauty, the 600-hour Esthetician program costs $9,140.95 in total program charges. That covers tuition, books and an iPad, your esthetics kit and the registration fee. New esthetics students can also take $1,000 off tuition with our current promotion, and financial aid is available to those who qualify.
Below is the full breakdown from our school catalog, the other costs to plan for, how long the program takes and the ways students pay for it.
Prices from the 2026 SCCBB Catalog. Fees are subject to change, so confirm current pricing with admissions.
Esthetician Program Cost at a Glance
| Charge | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $7,589.00 |
| Registration fee (non-refundable) | $75.00 |
| Books and iPad | $692.00 |
| Esthetics kit (non-refundable) | $784.95 |
| STRF (Student Tuition Recovery Fund) | $0.00 |
| Total program charges | $9,140.95 |
That works out to about $12.65 per training hour in tuition ($7,589 for 600 hours).
What Each Cost Covers
Tuition
Tuition pays for your 600 hours of instruction: theory, live demos and hands-on practice on real clients in our student salon. It includes the skin care, hair removal, makeup and lash training and the California health and safety rules you need for the state board exam.
Books and iPad
Your textbook and course materials, plus an iPad for your coursework.
Esthetics kit
The professional tools and supplies you train with. The kit is non-refundable.
Registration fee
A one-time $75 fee to process your enrollment. It’s non-refundable.
Other Costs to Plan For
A few charges are listed separately in our catalog and only apply in certain situations:
- State Board charge (BBC fee): $115. Listed in the catalog as an additional fee for esthetician students.
- Overtime: $8 per hour. Charged only if you need extra time after your 14-day grace period.
- Transcript (2 certified copies): $25 and duplicate proof of training: $25, if you ask for them.
- T-shirt: $20 and name tag replacement: $3.
Outside of school charges, budget for your commute, parking or transit, and everyday living costs while you train.
How Long Esthetician School Takes
California requires 600 hours of training for an esthetician license. Our program runs 25 hours a week, Monday through Friday, so the program takes about 6 months. You can pick the schedule that fits your life:
| Schedule | Hours |
|---|---|
| Day | 8:30 AM to 1:30 PM, Monday to Friday |
| Evening | 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM, Monday to Friday |
Because you finish in about half a year, esthetics is the shortest of our license programs. For comparison, our 1,000-hour barber and cosmetology programs take about 6 months full time and cost more. See our cosmetology school cost guide and barber school cost guide.
Ways to Pay for Esthetician School
- $1,000 tuition discount. New students enrolling in our Esthetician or Cosmetology program can save $1,000 on tuition. See the current offer.
- Federal financial aid. Available to those who qualify, including Pell Grants. Our federal school code is 04298200, and our team will walk you through the FAFSA. How to get financial aid for esthetician school.
- Military and VA benefits. Our Esthetician program is approved for VA education benefits. See military benefits.
- Monthly payments. After your first payment, monthly tuition payments are made through TFC Tuition. We accept cash, check or credit card for the initial payment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does esthetician school cost in California?
Costs vary by school. At Southern California College of Barber & Beauty in Escondido, total program charges for the 600-hour Esthetician program are $9,140.95, including tuition, books and iPad, kit and registration.
How much is the esthetician kit?
Our esthetics kit is $784.95 and is non-refundable.
Is there a discount on esthetician tuition?
Yes. New students enrolling in our Esthetician program can currently save $1,000 on tuition. Ask admissions for details.
Can I use financial aid for esthetician school?
Yes, financial aid is available to those who qualify, including federal Pell Grants. VA education benefits can also be used for our Esthetician program.
How long does esthetician school take?
California requires 600 hours. At 25 hours a week, day or evening, our program takes about 6 months.
Ready to Start?
Tour our Escondido campus, see the student salon and get your exact costs from admissions. Learn more about our Esthetician Program, or if you’re coming from the south, see esthetician school near San Diego.