Choosing a School
How to Choose an Esthetics School in Utah
With several esthetics schools in Utah offering similar-sounding programs, choosing the right one requires looking beyond the website. Compare accreditation, hands-on training, total cost, and licensure preparation, and tour each school to see the investment it has made in its facilities and experience its culture firsthand.
Start With Accreditation
Accreditation is more than a marketing badge. It shows that a school has been evaluated against established educational standards, making it one of the first things to verify when comparing esthetics schools.
Acaydia is accredited by NACCAS, the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences. Acaydia also participates in Title IV financial aid programs, which means Pell Grants and Direct Loans are available to students who qualify.
When comparing schools, ask two separate questions: Who accredits the school, and does it participate in federal Title IV financial aid programs? A reputable school should be able to answer both clearly.
After those two questions are answered, then start diving into the ultimate deciding factors.
Six Questions Worth Asking
Ask every school the same six. The differences show up fast, and they rarely show up on a brochure.
Question One
Will the school prepare me?
Compare each school's curriculum, scope of practice, and preparation for Utah licensure. Ask about licensure exam pass rates and the careers graduates have pursued. Ask to speak to alumni.
Question Two
What will I learn and perform?
Ask which services, treatments, products, and technologies you will perform yourself rather than simply observe. Will you receive hands-on training with professional equipment such as Candela lasers and HydraFacial systems?
Question Three
What does the price include?
Extra certifications that set graduates apart are often not included in the normal course fees. Ask for the total you will actually pay. Acaydia provides Hydrafacial, Alastin, and LightStim and more in our standard Course Fees.
Question Four
How are the facilities and culture?
Visit in person and look for evidence that the school continually invests in its facilities, equipment, and instructors. The environment and culture should reflect the quality of education and support you are paying for.
Question Five
What happens to your students?
Ask for the graduation rate and how many enrollments come from referrals. A school whose own graduates send people is telling you something a brochure cannot. Ask if students ever transfer to other schools.
Question Six
Does the schedule fit your life?
Compare schedules and start dates. Because esthetics is hands-on, ask whether training is fully in person or hybrid. At Acaydia, we believe esthetics is best learned in person, so our instruction remains 100% on campus.
How Acaydia Answers Them
We would rather publish the numbers than describe them. Ask every school on your list for the same four.
98.6%
Graduation rate
60%
Of enrollments come from student referrals
4.8
Average Google rating
20+
Years in Provo
NACCAS-accredited · Approved for Title IV federal financial aid · FAFSA code 041655
Then Choose Your Level
Whether you are starting from scratch or already licensed decides which program you are comparing across schools. It is worth settling before you tour anywhere.
If You Are Not Yet Licensed
Master-Medical Aesthetics
Designed for students with no prior esthetics training, this 1,200-hour program covers foundational and advanced esthetics and prepares graduates to pursue master esthetician licensure in Utah. Total program cost is $19,522.32, plus tax
If You Are Already Licensed
Level II Master-Medical
600 hours, building on a basic esthetics license, a cosmetology license, or 600 transferable hours from another school or state. The shorter route into laser, injectable assisting and advanced skincare. $11,808.80 total, plus tax.
Common Questions
What should I look for in an esthetics school?
Start with accreditation and Title IV financial aid eligibility. Then compare licensure preparation, hands-on training, facilities and culture, total cost, student outcomes, and whether the schedule and learning format fit your life.
Does accreditation really matter?
Yes. Accreditation shows that a school has been evaluated against established educational standards and is one requirement for participation in federal Title IV financial aid programs. Acaydia is accredited by NACCAS and participates in Title IV programs. Our FAFSA school code is 041655.
How do I compare tuition between schools fairly?
Ask each school for the total program cost, including tuition, application and registration fees, kits, texts and any certification costs. Advertised tuition often excludes several of those. Our full breakdown is published here.
How many hours do I need?
Students without prior esthetics training enter Acaydia’s 1,200-hour Master-Medical program. The 600-hour Level II program is designed for applicants with an eligible license basic esthetics or cosmetology license, or 600 transferable hours. Admissions can review your background and help determine the right path.
Is esthetics school online or in person?
Program formats vary, and some schools combine online coursework with campus training. Acaydia believes esthetics, even the theory, is best learned in person, so all instruction takes place on campus with direct feedback and hands-on practice.
Should I visit before deciding?
Yes. Tour more than one school so you can compare the equipment, facilities, instructors, and culture in person. An Acaydia tour takes thirty minutes.
What if I am transferring from another school?
Bring your transcript and your license details. We accept transfer hours as long as you are not currently enrolled at another school. If you are still enrolled somewhere else, we would encourage you to work with your current school if possible. What transfers depends on your existing hours, so admissions will look at your record with you rather than give you a number over the phone.
Come and See It
Bring the six questions with you. Thirty minutes on campus, no pressure to apply, and we would encourage you to ask them everywhere else on your list too. Or call 801-980-3918.