What Is It Known For?
The Salon Professional Academy, founded by Sue Kolve-Feehan in September 2006, has established itself as a prominent institution for beauty education.
Specializing in Cosmetology, Esthetics, Massage Therapy, and Nail programs, the academy is recognized for producing graduates with strong technical expertise and business acumen. Its graduates are highly sought after by top salons and spas for their skills in marketing, guest handling, and technical ability.
With enrollment figures differing by location, we recommend reaching out to the specific branch for the most accurate information.
Degrees & Certifications
The Salon Professional Academy offers a range of programs that provide specialized training in the beauty industry.
Programs include:
- Cosmetology
- Esthetics and Skin Care
- Nail Technician
- Salon Management
- And Much More!
Class Schedules
The school combines classroom learning with online studies in many of its programs, making it easier for students to balance their education with other commitments. Since class schedules can differ between locations, students should reach out to their local campus about morning and evening time slots.
The school doesn’t include externships. However, students build real-world skills through internship programs where they connect with industry professionals.
Is It Legit?
The school holds official approval from the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). Out of about 2,000 beauty schools in the United States, only The Salon Professional Academy Franchise schools have received Redken’s stamp of approval for their teaching quality.
Acceptance Rate
The Salon Professional Academy follows an open admission policy. The school has a 100% acceptance rate at all of its locations.
How Much Does Tuition Cost?
The cost to attend this school changes based on what you study and which location you pick. Some branches charge more or less than others for the same program.
Most students should expect to pay between $14,552 and $20,000 each year. To find out the exact cost at your local school, check their website’s price calculator.
Programs & Courses
Professional Services
- Cosmetology
Campus Locations
South Fargo 4377 15th Avenue South Fargo, ND 58103
Reviews
Based on local Google reviews, The Salon Professional Academy Fargo is highly praised for offering a wide range of services—from hair coloring and cuts to massage and facials—at a great price point. The experience is often noted for the students’ talent and professionalism, though there are significant concerns regarding chemical services and front desk interactions.
Overall Score: 4.5/5 Stars
Common Praises
High-Quality Hair Color and Cuts: Students are frequently commended for giving fantastic haircuts and achieving beautiful results with complex services like highlights and full color. Multiple reviewers specifically mention leaving with flawless, healthy hair.
Excellent Skincare and Massage Services: The facial and massage services are consistently described as incredible, amazing, and relaxing. Students providing these services are praised for their professionalism and attentiveness.
Professional and Confident Student Stylists: Students are highlighted for being super professional, easy to talk to, and for making clients feel comfortable and confident in their hands. They are praised for listening exactly to what the client wants and offering great tips for maintenance.
Great Value: Reviewers repeatedly mention the great price of the services, making the school a popular, affordable alternative to higher-end salons.
Common Criticisms
Issues with Chemical Services and Supervision: The most severe complaints relate to chemical services, with one reviewer reporting a bald spot resulting from a spiral perm. This criticism, alongside others, stresses the need for instructors to be more visible and provide sufficient help, as one master barber noted their stylist received no instruction or help from their educator.
Negative Front Desk/Attitude Experiences: Several guests reported poor service and bad attitudes from staff and students, with one specific complaint about a front desk attendant being extremely rude and laughing at a customer. There are also complaints about long waits without any communication from the reception desk.
Inconsistent Hair Service Quality: While many praise their cuts and color, some guests reported being less than impressed with their haircut or pedicure, requiring them to fix the style at home.
Management Communication: The school owner/management consistently responds to negative feedback, offering an apology and asking the guest to call a specific phone number to resolve the issue, but the recurrence of complaints suggests the internal process may not be fully resolving the underlying operational issues.
Momentum
The recent reviews show a continued strong positive momentum for individual student talents across hair and body services, with multiple students being highlighted by name and receiving repeat bookings. However, this positive trend is counterbalanced by a recent spike in severe organizational and administrative criticisms, including reports of unsafe chemical service results and unacceptable front-desk behavior. This indicates a growing split between the high quality of hands-on student work and the need for significant improvement in front-of-house operations and instructor supervision during complex services.