For more than 40 years, Saddleback College's Cosmetology and Esthetician programs have provided a direct pathway to employment in South Orange County’s buzzing beauty industry. The College partners with local beauty salons to provide hands-on training, while preparing students to pass the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology licensure exam.
Saddleback College's Cosmetology program is fully accredited and nationally renowned, having ranked #14 among all U.S. programs in a study conducted by TheBestColleges.org.
These are certificate programs through which, as a Saddleback College student, you earn college credits and upon completion either a Certificate of Achievement or an Occupational Skills Award.
Classes are taught off-campus at one of two local beauty schools. Please see below for the current list of beauty schools we are contracted with and links to their websites.
The Cosmetology Program is a 1,600-hour program comprised of four (12 units each) to be taken in consecutive order. This program is completed in approximately three semesters for full-time students and six semesters for part-time students. The classes are 40 hours per week for full-time day students. Part-time students attend approximately 20-24 hours per week.
The Esthetician Program is a 600-hour program comprised of two courses (9 units each). This program is completed in approximately one semester for full-time students and two to three semesters for part-time students.
Classes are open entry and student cohorts start at times offered throughout the semester.
Complete an application for admission to Saddleback College for the semester you would like to begin the Cosmetology program.
College of Record must be Saddleback College. Irvine Valley College students, please contact Cosmetology program for assistance.
Provide a copy of more updated Cosmetology or Esthetician License, Proof of Training(s), Transcript of Operations, and Transfer Credits (for students with previous training)
The Cosmetology and Esthetician program will begin accepting pre-applications and pre-requisite documentation for Spring 2023 the first week of November 2022 through January 12, 2023.
New and returning students are required to attend orientation. Orientations are planned for the following dates (please note location):
Saddleback Beauty Academy in Laguna Hills
Monday, January 2, 2023 at 1 pm and 6 pm
Monday, March 13, 2023 at 1 pm and 6 pm
SABA Beauty Academy in Lake Forest
Tuesday, January 3, 2023 at 1 pm
Tuesday, March 14, 2023 at 1 pm
As part of the cosmetology and esthetician program, students will be required to purchase their own kit with the tools and products needed to complete their training, a textbook/learning system, and a uniform.
Kits
Students have three options for where they can acquire a kit:
Purchase at the beauty school where student will attend training;
Purchase a standard Saddleback kit through Jazz-Z-Beauty Supply, and Supplemental Items through brand distributors; or
Self-source the beauty school kit through your own contacts/vendors (per beauty school kit list, items to be inspected by beauty school).
While competition for jobs is keen, South Orange County, with its growing population, is a particularly good area for cosmetologists, estheticians and others connected with the hair care and beauty industry. With some experience and additional training, cosmetologists and estheticians are able to move into management and ownership positions, teaching, sales, the entertainment industry, and positions with the State Cosmetology Board.
The cosmetology and esthetician courses are taught off-campus at local beauty schools. The two sites where our programs are being offered are Saddleback Beauty Academy in Laguna Hills and SABA Beauty Academy in Lake Forest.
Cosmetology Program - Hair, Skin Care, Nails (total 1,600-hour program)
Course #
Ticket #
Hours
Units & Fees*
COS 211
11390A
1-400 hours
12 units x $46 per unit = $552
COS 212
11390D
401-800 hours
12 units x $46 per unit = $552
COS 213
11390G
801-1,200 hours
12 units x $46 per unit = $552
COS 214
11390J
1,201-1,600 hours
12 units x $46 per unit = $552
Cosmetician/Esthetician - in-depth skin care (total 600-hour program)
Course #
Ticket #
Hours
Units & Fees*
COS 250A
11375A
1-300 hours
9 units x $46 per unit = $414
COS 250B
11375D
301-600 hours
9 units x $46 per unit = $414
* all fees are subject to change
SABA Beauty School Training Schedules
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Cosmetology & Esthetician
No training
8:30 am-5 pm
8:30 am-5 pm
8:30 am-5 pm
8:30 am-5 pm
8:30 am-5 pm
Cosmetology & Esthetician
No training
8:30 am-1:30 pm
8:30 am-1:30 pm
8:30 am-1:30 pm
8:30 am-1:30 pm
8:30 am-1:30 pm
Note: Due to class lessons/progression, students will be allowed one switch in their full-time or part-time schedule. All schedules are subject to availability and change.
Cosmetology - Hair, Skin Care, Nails (total 1,600-hour program)
Course #
Ticket #
Hours
Units & Fees*
COS 211
11380A
1-400 hours
12 units x $46 per unit = $552
COS 212
11380D
401-800 hours
12 units x $46 per unit = $552
COS 213
11380G
801-1,200 hours
12 units x $46 per unit = $552
COS 214
11380J
1,201-1,600 hours
12 units x $46 per unit = $552
Cosmetician/Esthetician - in-depth skin care (total 600-hour program)
Course #
Ticket #
Hours
Units & Fees*
COS 250A
11385A
1-300 hours
9 units x $46 per unit = $414
COS 250B
11385D
301-600 hours
9 units x $46 per unit = $414
*all fees are subject to change
Saddleback Beauty School Cosmetology & Esthetician Training Schedules
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Cosmetology & Esthetician
No training
8:30 am-12:30 pm
8:30 am-12:30 pm
8:30 am-12:30 pm
8:30 am-5 pm
8:30 am-5 pm
Cosmetology & Esthetician
6-10 pm
6-10 pm
6-10 pm
No training
No training
8:30 am-5 pm
Cosmetology & Esthetician
6-10 pm
6-10 pm
6-10 pm
6-10 pm
6-10 pm
No training
Cosmetology & Esthetician
No training
8:30 am-5 pm
8:30 am-5 pm
8:30 am-5 pm
8:30 am-5 pm
8:30 am-5 pm
Note: Due to class lessons/progression, students will be allowed one switch in their full-time or part-time schedule. All schedules are subject to availability and change.
The estimated cost of attendance at Saddleback College includes an estimate for tuition and fees, books
and supplies as well as basic living expenses like food and housing, and personal and miscellaneous
expenses. Your actual expenses may be higher or lower than the amounts listed below.
Expenses
Living With Parents (2 Semesters)
Living Away from Parents (2 semesters)
Tuition & Fees
$1,426
$1,426
Books & Supplies
$938
$938
Living Expenses: Food & Housing
$12,656
$22,670
Personal & Misc.
$3,608
$4,428
Transportation
$1,612
$1,764
Total Resident
$20,240
$31,226
Total Non-Resident
$32,540
$43,526
Expenses
Living with Parents
Living Away from Parents
Tuition & Fees
$709
$709
Books & Supplies
$312
$312
Living Expenses: Food & Housing
$4,218
$7,557
Personal & Misc.
$1,203
$1,476
Transportation
$537
$588
Total Resident
$6,979
$10,642
Total Non-Resident
$13,129
$16,792
Expenses
Living With Parents
Living Away from Parents
Summer
Fall & Spring
Summer
Fall & Spring
Tuition & Fees
$1,426
$709
$1,426
$709
Books & Supplies
$938
$312
$938
$312
Transportation
$1,612
$537
$1,764
$588
Total Resident
$3,976
$1,558
$4,128
$1,609
Total Non-Resident
$16,275
$7,708
$16,428
$7,759
Enrollment Fee: $46 per unit
Based on 15-units for Fall, Spring and Summer
Health Fee $26 for Fall and Spring, $22 for Summer
Non-Resident Tuition (in addition to the $46 per unit enrollment fee): $410 per unit ($365 non-resident tuition fee + $45 capital outlay fee)
Estimated cost of attendance may be adjusted for documented circumstances such as dependent care expenses, purchase of a computer, and other special circumstances (except for students enrolled less than half-time)
