Campus and full-service Student Salon
North Austin
The Spectrum Shopping Center
Austin, TX 78757
1000clock hours to a Texas license
Since 1960, Austin haslearned this tradeby the hour.
Baldwin is a clock-hour school, family-owned since 1960. You put in the hours — in class first, then on real clients in our Student Salons — and we show you exactly where each one goes.
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Hour 0 The first day
Cosmetology: 1,000 hours, 34 weeks, $15,900.
Three numbers you should know before you visit. Full-time is 32 clock hours a week, so 34 weeks is about 8 months. The published total covers tuition, books and tools, and the $100 enrollment fee.
- Cutting, color, balayage and chemical texture
- Blow-drying, hot tools, wigs, extensions and braiding
- Facials, waxing, lash tinting and makeup
- Manicures, pedicures and nail enhancements
- Salon management and business skills
A Texas cosmetology license covers hair care, skin care and nail services.
- Facial treatments and skin analysis
- Facial and body waxing
- Microdermabrasion, galvanic, steam and high-frequency equipment
- Makeup, color theory and body treatments
- Skin science, sanitation and infection control
A Texas esthetician license covers skin-care services including facials, waxing, eyelash tinting and extensions, facial equipment, cosmetic makeup and body treatments.
- Manicures and pedicures
- Polish techniques and nail art
- Sculptured nails and acrylic tips
- Hand, arm and foot massage
- Nail anatomy, sanitation and infection control
A Texas manicurist license covers manicures, pedicures and all artificial nail enhancements.
- Next published start
- Oct 132026
- Then
- Oct 13 · Nov 3 · Nov 17 · Dec 8 · Dec 15Oct 13 · Nov 17 · Dec 8Oct 13 · Nov 3 · Nov 17 · Dec 8
- To enroll
- 17 or older · diploma, GED or equivalent · an interview with admissions
- Transfer hours
- up to 500
A $25 TDLR registration fee (first-time enrollees) and state exam and license fees are paid separately. There are no over-contract fees on any program.
Hours 1–256 In class
The first 8 weeks are the classroom.
No prior experience is expected. You start with required classroom instruction on the Pivot Point International curriculum — textbooks, workbook and a professional kit — and practice on mannequins until the technique holds.
MorningsClass
AfternoonsSalon floor, once you've earned it
In-person training in the classroom and the on-site Student Salon; no out-of-hours work is required. Class hours Tuesday–Friday, 8:30am–5:00pm.
Hour 256 Your first client
Then the chair is yours — with an instructor beside you.
Both campuses run a full-service Student Salon open to the public. All Student Salon work is performed by students under the supervision of licensed instructors. Every service on our published menu is one you'll do for a real person.
- Haircut$10
- Haircut with blow-dry$15+
- Permanent color$40+
- Full balayage$70+
- Eyebrow wax$7
- Full-face wax$21
Prices as published on our Student Salon and Student Spa menus. Prices are subject to change and may vary with hair length and density; check with your campus for the current schedule.
Hour 550 Where the hours go
Every hour has a subject. Here they are.
We're a clock-hour program, not a credit-hour program: you finish when the hours are done and the exams are passed. These are the published hours by subject for Cosmetology.
Every subject area includes business skills, professional development, health, safety and laws. Realistic completion with part-time work, child care or an approved leave: 9–11 months.
- Hair care800 hrs
- Skin care100 hrs
- Nail care100 hrs
- Facial treatment225 hrs
- Anatomy and physiology90 hrs
- Makeup and color psychology85 hrs
- Electricity, machines and related equipment75 hrs
- Orientation50 hrs
- Procedures320 hrs
- Sanitation, safety and bacteriology100 hrs
- Professional practices80 hrs
- Arms and hands anatomy and physiology70 hrs
- Orientation15 hrs
Throughout The business side
Technique fills a chair once. These skills fill it every week.
Every program includes our Retail Skills and Salon Business courses, which teach sales techniques, career management skills and how to build a steady client base. Cosmetology students also study salon management and business skills within their hair-care hours.
Hour 1,000 Licensed
The hours are done. The state board is next — and so are we.
After graduation you take the Texas state board written and practical exams, administered for the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, to receive your license. We maintain an active list of Austin salons seeking licensed professionals and will help connect you with interviews as long as you remain in the profession.
Employment assistance is offered to graduates who remain in the beauty profession. No job is guaranteed by graduation.
0%Completion2024, school-wide
0%Placement2024, school-wide
0%Licensure2024, school-wide
Baldwin Beauty Schools 2024 annual report rates · consumer information
What these numbers do and don't mean
School-wide rates for 2024 as Baldwin publishes them. They describe that reporting year, not every student or every program, and they are not a promise of employment or licensure.
“At Baldwin, I felt recognized. I felt important. Today, I have clients. I have confidence. I have a great education.”
Ricky HodgeOwner, Ricky Hodge Salon · Featured by Baldwin, September 2015
1960Family-owned, every year of it
Still the Baldwins. Still in the room.
Ross Baldwin founded the school in 1960. His son Randy joined him in 1989 and leads Baldwin today as President, alongside Wendi Baldwin, our Director of Education.
- 1960
Ross Baldwin founds Baldwin Beauty Schools to train professional hairstylists.
- 1989
His son, Randy Baldwin, joins him. Randy now serves as President.
- 2010
The Austin Independent School District announces the opening of Ross Baldwin Elementary School in South Austin, named for him.
- Today
Randy Baldwin, President, and Wendi Baldwin, Director of Education, continue the family-owned school.
Where Baldwin can lead
Graduates who built their own chairs.
“I didn't consider any other schools. Walking in, the environment and the vibe and everything about it's awesome. The fact that it's family owned is great.”
“It's not about being a rockstar, it's about making the people in your chair every day feel comfortable and want to come back.”
“Every single instructor that I had at the schools stuck out to me. Every one of them taught me something valuable, very important lessons.”
Two campuses
North on Burnet. South on Lamar.
Same programs, same Student Salons, same Baldwin. Pick the commute that fits your life — and come see it before you enroll.
8440 Burnet Road, Suite 140
The Spectrum Shopping Center
Austin, TX 78757
Campus, full-service Student Salon and headquarters administration
South Austin
The Corners Shopping Center
Austin, TX 78704
Paying for school
Know the cost. Then find the help.
Federal Pell Grants and Federal Direct Loans are available to those who qualify, and monthly payment plans carry no interest. There are no over-contract fees on any program.
Start with the FAFSA
We recommend that students — and parents of dependent students — submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Baldwin school code012268
It takes approximately 10 business days from the date you submit the FAFSA for the school to receive it. Once we receive it, we email you eligibility information.
Open the FAFSAEstimate your cost
Our Net Price Calculator gives a broad first-year estimate based on what similar students paid. Our financial aid office can give you a personal one.
Talk it through
Parents and family are welcome at every step — including your campus visit and your financial aid appointment.
Plan a visit with your familyQuestions
What people ask us first.
Do I need any beauty experience to enroll?
No. You need to be 17 or older and have a high school diploma, GED or approved equivalent. Every program starts with required classroom instruction — 8 weeks for Cosmetology — so the curriculum takes you from the beginning.
How often do classes start?
Often. We published 21 Cosmetology, 13 Esthetician and 19 Manicurist start dates for 2026, so you rarely wait long for the next class.
Do I get to work on real people?
Yes. Both campuses run a full-service Student Salon open to the public. After your classroom foundation, classes are typically held in the morning with salon floor work in the afternoon. All Student Salon work is performed by students under the supervision of licensed instructors.
What does it cost, and can I get help paying?
Published totals are $15,900 for Cosmetology, $11,400 for Esthetician and $8,500 for Manicurist, including tuition, books and tools and the $100 enrollment fee. Federal Pell Grants and Federal Direct Loans are available to those who qualify, and monthly payment plans carry no interest. Our FAFSA school code is 012268.
What happens after I graduate?
You take the Texas state board written and practical exams to receive your license. We maintain an active list of Austin salons seeking licensed professionals and will help connect you with interviews as long as you remain in the profession.
Can I study part-time or transfer hours?
Full-time is 32 clock hours a week. If you're interested in part-time, tell us when you apply. Transfer hours may be accepted — up to 500 for Cosmetology, 375 for Esthetician and 300 for Manicurist — subject to review at enrollment.
Your next step
Go at your own pace. We'll meet you there.
Just exploring
Request information
Get program details and start dates by email. No pressure, no application.
Ready to see it
Plan a campus visit
Choose a campus and a time that suits you. Admissions calls to confirm. Or call now: (512) 441-6898.
Request a visit
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Start your application
Applying starts a conversation with admissions, followed by an interview and your enrollment agreement.
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