What Is It Known For?
The University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology began its journey in 1996 when Robert and Leigh Anne Kelley took over Helma B Skin Care, a company originally established to provide aesthetics education in America. The Kelleys refreshed the brand and expanded its educational programs, leading to the opening of its first campus in Downers Grove, Illinois, in 1999. As their reputation grew, they added a Chicago location and later introduced cosmetology and barbering programs to their curriculum.
Today, the school maintains a personal approach to education with small class sizes, serving approximately 42 students annually across its programs. This intimate learning environment allows students to receive individual attention from instructors while developing their skills in aesthetics, cosmetology, and barbering. The school earned MSA-CESS accreditation in 2022, reflecting its commitment to educational excellence.
Degrees & Certifications
The University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology offers focused professional training programs designed to prepare students for successful careers in the beauty industry. Their programs include:
- Cosmetology (DG Campus Only)
- Aesthetics
- Instructor Programs
Class Schedules
The University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology provides flexible scheduling options to accommodate varying student needs. Full-time students attend classes Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., while part-time students can take evening classes Tuesday through Thursday from 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., plus two Saturdays or Mondays per month.
All programs, including Aesthetics, Barbering, and Cosmetology, follow these schedule patterns. Classes take place entirely on campus, emphasizing hands-on learning. Students who meet specific requirements may participate in externship opportunities at approved salons, adding real-world experience to their education.
Is It Legit?
Yes. The University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology is a legitimate institution. Each of their campuses is accredited by the Middle States Association and the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS).
Acceptance Rate
The University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology has an acceptance rate of 100%. This means that the school follows an open admission policy.
How Much Does Tuition Cost?
The University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology offers several professional programs with varying tuition rates. Below are the current program costs:
- Cosmetology (DG Campus Only) $20,425.00
- Aesthetics $16,900.00
- Aesthetics Instructor $7,700.00
- Aesthetics Instructor (Transfer) $5,133.33
- Cosmetology Instructor $12,325.00
- Cosmetology Instructor (Transfer) $6,162.50
Students should note that these figures represent tuition only. Additional fees may apply. For a comprehensive breakdown of expenses and to calculate the total cost of attendance, prospective students can access the school’s net price calculator.
Programs & Courses
Professional Services
- Cosmetology
Campus Locations
Downers Grove 1037-1043 Curtiss St. Downers Grove, IL 60515
Chicago 1357 N Milwaukee Ave Chicago, IL 60622
Reviews
Based on local Google reviews, the University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology (UAC) is overwhelmingly praised by clients for providing high-quality, professional, and affordable services like facials and waxing, thanks to knowledgeable students and a clean facility. However, this positive client experience is contrasted by strong, recurring criticism regarding the school’s administration, ownership, and enrollment process, which are described as being excessively focused on money.
Overall Score: 4.1/5 Stars
Common Praises
High-Quality Services at Low Cost: This is the school’s biggest strength. Clients are consistently “very impressed” with the quality of services, especially facials, noting they are “amazing” and a “heavenly experience” for “so little money.” Many say the school uses the same professional products as expensive salons.
Professional and Knowledgeable Students: Students are praised for being “friendly, knowledgeable, and professional,” often greeting clients with smiles and explaining the process step-by-step. Instructors are also noted for being “great and helped the student when she got stuck.”
Clean and Beautiful Facility: The establishment is frequently called “beautiful,” “spotless,” and “very clean,” with a professional atmosphere that exceeds expectations for a school setting.
Positive Energy: One customer noted the “great students with great energy” and the motivating atmosphere created by the teachers.
Common Criticisms
Owner/Administration Focused on Money: The most severe and emotional negative reviews allege that the owners and admissions staff only care about money. One lengthy complaint warned “DO NOT COME HERE! STUDENTS OR CLIENTS!” due to the school prioritizing its look over the students’ well-being and being focused solely on loan money.
Inconsistent Service Quality (Hit or Miss): One reviewer, who acknowledged the high quality of the facials, noted that the services are a “hit or miss,” meaning the quality can fluctuate widely depending on the student providing the service.
Poor Prospective Student Experience: A potential student who drove 45 minutes for a tour reported a highly negative experience: they had to seek out a student to notify the admissions staff of their arrival, waited 12 minutes with “no one on sight,” and left feeling unwelcome.
Service Complaints: While rare, one highly negative review from an established stylist serving as a model described a hair service as the “worst experience I’ve ever had as a client” due to issues with color and service professionalism.
Momentum
The momentum for the University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology is split between client delight and administrative failure. The school has clearly mastered the delivery of high-quality, supervised aesthetic services, as evidenced by a consistent stream of 5-star client reviews in the past few months. However, the presence of strong, detailed complaints about the owners’ focus on profit and the poor experience during the admissions/enrollment process (including a very recent negative tour experience) suggests a major disconnect between the student salon’s success and the school’s management integrity.