Would you love to build a future in the beauty industry, but don’t know if you have what it takes? At American Hair Academy in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, you can gain hands-on experience in our cosmetology/barber program. A beauty education at our school is more than studying in a classroom.
In our family-like environment, you can join other students and experienced instructors as you practice skills like hairstyling, manicuring, makeup application, and more. Learn the theory and science behind cosmetology and barbering, and then practice your new skills on the salon floor under the direct supervision of licensed instructors.
Gain confidence as you push your talents to the limit! If you are ready to begin the enrollment process, contact us for more information regarding our curriculum, admissions requirements, schedules, and financial aid. We’re here to help you turn your beauty education dreams into a reality!
Success is hard work, perseverance, learning, and loving what you are learning to do.
I was a student at American Hair Academy and it was a great experience! We are taught by our wonderful instructors how to be professional out on the floor. I learned so much in the year that I was there, mostly because of the one on one that each student received from the instructors. I would recommend this school to anyone that is wanting to be a cosmetologist around this area.
I have been here for a haircut for myself, one for my daughter, and an eyebrow wax. It was all excellent. It did take a little more time, but I didnt mind as the students were friendly. LOVED the outcome of each service and was SO impressed with the cost! Such a great value! I will 100% be going back frequently.
Our instructors have over 56 years of combined experience. We work hard to establish the fundamentals in cosmetology and barbering, so you can feel very confident in your ability to provide services to clients, no matter where you find employment after graduation. Your success at our school and in your future career is important to us. Because we offer a family-like atmosphere with a 5:1 student-teacher ratio, we develop close relationships and personally encourage each student to make the most of their talents.
If the cost of tuition is holding you back from pursuing your beauty education, we encourage you to reach out to our Financial Aid team. Federal financial aid is available to those who qualify. Allow us to guide you through the process of applying for financial aid, and suggest possible ways to lighten your financial load, such as applying for scholarships or getting a student loan. We strive to make it easier for you throughout every step of your enrollment journey!
School hours at American Hair Academy are Tuesday-Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, and Saturday, 8:00 am to 12:30 pm.
We have several terms starting throughout the year. The cosmetology/barber program consists of four terms total. You may start enrollment at any time and choose one of the following terms to begin your education.
Full-time students can expect to attend school 34.5 hours/week.
The 2026-2027 tuition rates for each term are $5,714.00 for two 14-week terms (450 hours each) and $4,126.00 for the final two 10-week terms (325 hours each). There is a kit fee of $120 and a lab fee of $90. This comes to a total cost of $19,680.00. Charges are subject to review and change effective July 1 of each year.
The state board exam ($83) and the state license fee ($60) are paid by students and are not included in the tuition.
We do not provide housing for enrolled students. However, there are rental facilities in the area to serve the student population. Let us know if you need help looking for a place to live!
Yes, we meet the Iowa state requirements for a cosmetology/barber education, providing students with 1,550 hours of instruction in the required areas of study. Our curriculum prepares students to sit for the state licensure exam.
Illinois and Missouri both require 1,500 hours of beauty school instruction to get a cosmetology license, whereas Iowa requires 1,550 hours to get a cosmetology/barber license. If you want to work in Iowa, choosing an Iowa school that offers a program with enough hours to get the Iowa cosmetology/barber license may be a good path for you. American Hair Academy is conveniently located in Southeast Iowa, so students from all three states can attend.
Financial aid is available to those who qualify. To begin the financial aid process, you can fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®). We are happy to assist you with the financial aid process, so feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns!
Scheduling a campus visit is part of our admissions requirements. During the visit, you will tour the classrooms and salon floor, observe a class, and attend a personalized career planning session with one of our admissions representatives. Best yet, it gives you a feel for the family-like atmosphere that so many of our students grow to love! To make an appointment for your tour, fill out a contact form or give us a call at (319) 219-6248.
Interested in our cosmetology/barber program? Our admissions process requires the following things:
We want to make the enrollment process easy for you. Contact us today, and let us know that you’re ready for more information!
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