What Is It Known For?
The Professional Cosmetology Education Center traces its roots back to Helma B Skin Care, which offered aesthetics education before formal licensing requirements existed. In 1996, Robert Kelley’s Kelley Beauty Group took ownership, leading to several expansions and name changes. The school became the University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology in El Dorado, AR in 2023.
The school maintains an intimate learning environment, with an enrollment of approximately 27 students in 2022, a number that remains consistent year after year. This small class size allows for personalized attention and hands-on training opportunities.
Degrees & Certifications
Professional Cosmetology Education Center provides focused training through three main programs:
- Cosmetology
- Aesthetics
- Instructor Programs
Class Schedules
The Professional Cosmetology Education Center offers flexible scheduling options across its programs. The 750-hour Aesthetics program provides both day and evening classes. Day students attend Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., while evening students take classes Tuesday through Thursday from 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
The 1,500-hour Cosmetology program runs Tuesday through Friday, giving students three-day weekends. Classes begin at 8:00 a.m. and end at 4:30 p.m., except on Fridays, when they conclude at 2:30 p.m. For the Instructor program, clinic hours operate Tuesday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with students practicing under licensed instructors’ supervision. There is no mention of the school offering online classes.
For the most current scheduling information, contact the school directly.
Is It Legit?
Yes. The Professional Cosmetology Education Center is a legitimate institution. The school is accredited by The Middle States Association.
Acceptance Rate
The Professional Cosmetology Education has an acceptance rate of 100%.
How Much Does Tuition Cost?
At the Professional Cosmetology Education Center, tuition rates are set for each program:
- Aesthetics Tuition: $10,325.00
- Cosmetology Tuition: $18,325.00
- Cosmetology Instructor Program Tuition: $7,900.00
Since additional fees and materials may apply, prospective students can use the school’s online net price calculator to estimate their total educational expenses and explore financial aid options.
Programs & Courses
Professional Services
- Cosmetology
Campus Locations
El Dorado 460 N. Washington Ave. El Dorado, AR 71730
Reviews
Based on local Google reviews, the University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology (formerly PCEC) has an overwhelmingly positive reputation for providing high-quality services by students at excellent value, though a recent single complaint points to administrative disorganization.
Overall Score: 4.8/5 Stars
Common Praises
High-Quality Student Services: Reviewers consistently praise the quality of work done by the students, including detailed services like shampoo and cornrows and fixing severe hair damage (e.g., broken locs). Many customers state the results exceeded expectations, despite their initial hesitations about having students perform the services.
Exceptional Value and Supervision: Customers emphasize the low price combined with the knowledge that instructors are “right on top of them” supervising the work. This hands-on supervision provides confidence and ensures quality.
Positive and Professional Atmosphere: The college is described as having a “Great atmosphere,” with staff and students being “super friendly,” “very professional,” and having a “caring, attentive attitude.”
Individual Student Excellence: Many reviews specifically recommend certain students for their skill, wonderful attitude, patience with kids, and careful work, indicating a strong individual talent pipeline.
Positive End-to-End Experience: The experience is described as excellent “from the phone call to set up the appointment up until I walked out satisfied.”
Common Criticisms
Administrative Disorganization: A single, recent negative review (7 months ago) states the school is “very disorganized,” lacks information posted on any website, and that staff were “very rude to top it all off.” This is an outlier but points to potential issues with corporate communication or public-facing administration.
Momentum
The overall momentum remains exceptionally strong and positive, driven by several recent (within the last year) 5-star reviews praising the excellent services and high quality of work, indicating the core client service remains excellent. The single critical review about administrative issues (7 months ago) is isolated and stands in contrast to the consistent praise for the student-client experience. The management’s practice of responding to positive reviews reinforces engagement and appreciation for their customer base.