Best Makeup Schools in the US (2026): 10 Compared
10 Makeup Artistry Schools in the US, Compared
Written by Online Makeup Academy, one of the schools compared here. The Makeup Academy NYC is our sister school. The schools are listed alphabetically, not ranked, and our own school is described separately at the end.
Key Points:
Online Makeup Academy (OMA) wrote this guide and is one of the 10 schools in it, so we describe our own school separately at the end; the other nine are in alphabetical order.
Full in-person makeup programs on this list cost from about $8,000 to $31,000; short courses and intensives start at $2,500, and online programs cost less.
Make-Up Designory and Cinema Makeup School lead for film, TV and special effects training in Los Angeles; VAMP in Orlando goes deepest on prosthetics.
L Makeup Institute is the only school on this list that accepts federal financial aid.
Choose by career goal, budget and format: online or in person.
Overview of Makeup Artistry Schools
Choosing a makeup school shapes your skills, your portfolio and your first industry contacts. Every school on this list focuses on makeup artistry rather than general cosmetology, was enrolling students in October 2026, and publishes its programs. Here's how they compare at a glance.
At a glance (checked October 26, 2026)
| School | Where | Format | Main programs (length) | Price | Federal aid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Artist Makeup Academy | Rahway, NJ | In person | Master Program, 144 h / 9 or 12 weeks | From $10,400 plus $500 registration; no kit | No |
| Cinema Makeup School | Los Angeles, CA | In person | Diplomas from 3 weeks (120 h) to the Complete Track, 28 weeks (1,030 h) | $3,085 to $30,950 | No |
| Cosmix School of Makeup Artistry | Fort Lauderdale, FL | In person | Fashion, 300 h / 9 weeks, to Master Pro, 1,200 h / 38 weeks | $6,600 to $24,000 tuition, plus kits of $1,600 to $3,800 | No |
| Kimberley Bosso Celebrity Makeup | Beverly Hills, CA; Tampa, FL; online | Intensives, up to 4 students | 2-, 4- and 6-day courses | $2,500 per 2-day course; online 2-day $1,499 | No |
| L Makeup Institute | Las Vegas, NV; Southlake, TX | In person | Beauty Makeup, 845 h / 25 weeks; SFX + Makeup, 1,072.5 h / 32 weeks | $19,800 to $24,050 tuition and fees (2024-25) | Yes |
| Make-Up Designory (MUD) | Burbank, CA | In person | Fashion, 392 h / 12 weeks, to Master, 812 h / 24 weeks | $13,183 to $25,488, kit, lab and registration included | No |
| Michael Vincent Academy | North Hollywood, CA; online | In person weekly, plus online courses | Master Beauty Artistry, once a week for 6 weeks | Not published | No |
| The Makeup Academy NYC (our sister school) | New York, NY | In person, up to 8 students | Master Makeup Artistry, 100 h makeup + 18 h hair | $8,000, kits and 3 photo shoots included | No |
| VAMP | Orlando, FL | In person | Beauty Professional, 300 h / 10 weeks; Modern Effects, 880 h / 22 weeks | $9,600 to $26,600, kit and registration included (2027) | No |
| Online Makeup Academy (our school) | Online, worldwide | Self-paced, instructor feedback | Master Makeup Program (6 to 12 weeks part time); Elite Career Path | $899 to $1,599, kit included | Payment plans |
"Federal aid" means the school takes federal student aid (Pell Grants, federal loans), per the Department of Education's College Navigator and each school's site. Most makeup schools don't; many offer payment plans or VA benefits instead.
How we chose these schools
Online Makeup Academy publishes this guide and is one of the 10 schools in it, and The Makeup Academy NYC is our sister school. Because we have a stake in the result, we don't rank the schools: the other nine are listed alphabetically, and our own school is described separately after them. Every school listed focuses on makeup artistry rather than general cosmetology, was enrolling in October 2026, and publishes its programs. We took program lengths, prices and financial-aid status from each school's own website and, where listed, the US Department of Education's College Navigator, and checked them on October 26, 2026. Prices change: confirm with the school before you enroll. Want hair, skin and nails as well? See the best cosmetology schools in the US.
Considerations for Choosing a School
Start with the work you want, then match the school to it:
Career focus. Film, TV and SFX training concentrates in Los Angeles and Orlando; bridal and beauty work is everywhere. Check that the curriculum matches your goal.
Format. In-person schools give you an instructor at your side and classmates to network with. Online programs let you keep your job, replay every demonstration and study from anywhere; the best ones review your assignments one on one.
Total cost. Compare tuition plus kit, lab and registration fees, and the cost of getting to class. Ask what the kit contains and whether you keep it.
Hours and schedule. Full-time programs run weekdays; check for evening, weekend or part-time options.
Financial aid. Few makeup schools take federal aid. Ask about payment plans, VA benefits and scholarships.
License rules. A makeup school certificate is not a state license. If you plan to do makeup for pay, check your state's rules first: see do you need a license to be a makeup artist?
Proof. Look for student work, reviews and graduates working in the kind of jobs you want.
Artist Makeup Academy
Where: Rahway, NJ.
Program: the Master Program, 144 hours over 9 weeks (day) or 12 weeks (evening), the only program enrolling now; one online course on Teachable.
Price: from $10,400 plus a $500 registration fee. No kit is included: students learn to choose their own products. Includes a portfolio shoot and a headshot day.
Financial aid: not offered; payment plans.
Best for: students who want business, branding and marketing training alongside technique.
Cinema Makeup School
Where: Los Angeles, CA (Wilshire Boulevard).
Founded: 1993.
Programs: diploma programs from the 3-week Creature Concept Design ($3,085) and 6-week High Fashion Photographic Makeup ($6,420) to the 18-week Master Makeup Program ($17,340), the 25-week FX Track ($27,640) and the 28-week, 1,030-hour Complete Track ($30,950). Four-week certificate courses in character, prosthetic and special effects makeup run about $5,100 to $5,700. Prices include lab and materials fees.
Financial aid: not a federal-aid school; payment plans and VA benefits for some programs.
Best for: special effects, prosthetics and character work. Its advisory board includes Oscar and Emmy winners.
Cosmix School of Makeup Artistry
Where: Fort Lauderdale, FL.
Founded: 1997, as a training center that later became a licensed school.
Programs: Fashion Makeup Artistry, 300 hours over 9 weeks ($6,600 plus a $1,600 kit); Master Makeup Artistry, 900 hours over 28 weeks ($19,800 plus $2,900 in kits); Master Makeup Artistry Pro, 1,200 hours over 38 weeks ($24,000 plus $3,800), which adds a 300-hour skin care program that prepares graduates for Florida skin care licensure.
Financial aid: no federal aid; scholarships up to $5,000, plus the yearly $10,000 Jay Cannistraci Scholarship.
Best for: students in Florida who want makeup and skin care training together.
Kimberley Bosso Celebrity Makeup
Where: Beverly Hills, CA, since 2008; courses in Tampa, FL, and online.
Programs: 2-, 4- and 6-day intensives with no more than four students, taught by celebrity makeup artist Kimberley Bosso, with a certificate in traditional and airbrush makeup.
Price: $2,500 per 2-day course in person; $1,499 for the 2-day online course. Tools and products are provided in class; there's no take-home kit.
Financial aid: none.
Best for: working artists and career changers who want concentrated, small-group training.
L Makeup Institute
Where: Las Vegas, NV, and Southlake, TX.
Founded: 2010 by celebrity makeup artist Lissette Waugh.
Programs: Beauty Makeup, 845 hours over 25 weeks; SFX + Makeup, 1,072.5 hours over 32 weeks; Advanced Prosthetics, 170 hours. Tuition and fees for 2024-25 were $19,800 and $24,050 (College Navigator); the school says a professional kit of more than 500 items is included.
Financial aid: the only school on this list that takes federal aid (Pell Grants and Direct Loans); also VA benefits and payment plans.
Best for: students who need federal aid, and anyone near Las Vegas or Dallas-Fort Worth.
Make-Up Designory (MUD)
Where: Burbank, CA (Los Angeles area). MUD's New York campus has closed.
Founded: 1997 by Tate Holland and John Bailey.
Programs: Fashion Makeup Artistry, 392 hours over 12 weeks ($13,183); Film & Television Makeup Artistry, 420 hours over 12 weeks ($13,230); Multimedia Makeup Artistry, 602 hours over 18 weeks ($19,223); Master Makeup Artistry, 812 hours over 24 weeks ($25,488). Totals include the kit ($2,375 to $3,450 plus tax), lab fees and a $100 registration fee; California adds a small student-fund charge.
Schedule: weekdays, 8 am to 4 pm.
Financial aid: MUD doesn't take federal aid; it offers installment payments and a school loan.
Best for: full-time students who want film, TV and fashion training near Hollywood studios. MUD also runs licensed studios and partner schools worldwide.
Michael Vincent Academy
Where: North Hollywood, CA, plus self-paced online courses.
Founders: Michael Vincent and Tal B. Vincent; the academy opened in 2013.
Programs: Master Beauty Artistry in person, once a week for six weeks, with an Elite follow-up; online courses in beauty, film and TV, special effects, airbrush and bridal makeup; an invitation-only program on live film, music-video and fashion sets.
Price: not published; the school quotes through a career counselor. A kit comes with every course except Business.
Financial aid: no federal aid; payment plans and a partner credit union.
Best for: students in Los Angeles who want set experience alongside classes.
The Makeup Academy NYC (our sister school)
Where: New York, NY (Eighth Avenue, Midtown). A Philadelphia campus operates independently.
Founded by: Nina Mua, who also founded Online Makeup Academy.
Programs: Master Makeup Artistry, 100 hours of hands-on makeup plus 18 hours of hairstyling, $8,000 including professional makeup and hair kits, a sanitation kit and three portfolio photo shoots; Beauty & Bridal Pro (72 hours, $5,100); Special FX (40 hours, $2,400). Classes take up to eight students.
Financial aid: payment plans; no federal aid.
Best for: students in the New York area who want in-person training and an on-site photo studio.
VAMP: Vocational Academy of Makeup and Prosthetics
Where: Orlando, FL.
Founded: 2016 by Heather Eisner.
Programs (2027 prices): Beauty Professional Makeup Artistry, 300 hours over 10 weeks ($9,600 including the kit and registration); Modern Effects Makeup Artistry, 880 hours over 22 weeks ($26,600), covering airbrushing, lifecasting, mold making, foam latex and silicone prosthetics.
Financial aid: no federal aid; VA-approved, scholarships up to $2,000, and monthly payment plans.
Best for: prosthetics and special effects, taught by working film, TV and theme-park artists.
Our school: Online Makeup Academy (OMA)
Overview
This is our own school, so read this section as our description, not an independent review. Online Makeup Academy (OMA) offers flexible makeup artist training online, accessible worldwide. Based in New York, NY, OMA’s hybrid model combines self-paced online learning with personalized instructor feedback, making it ideal for students balancing busy schedules. OMA has over 50,000 students globally.
Founder & History
Founder: Nina Mua
Year Founded: 2016
OMA was founded by professional makeup artist Nina Mua to provide accessible, industry-standard training. Since its inception, OMA has grown into an internationally accredited academy, recognized for its rigorous curriculum and student success.
Programs & Price Range
Programs Offered: OMA provides six diverse courses, including:
Elite Career Path (comprehensive training for multiple career paths)
Bridal Makeup
Fashion/Editorial Makeup
Special Effects (SFX)
Master Makeup Program (professional beauty techniques)
Hairstyling for Makeup Artists
Duration: Self-paced, with certifications achievable in 8-12 weeks or up to a year.
Price Range: Affordable, with payment plans starting at $57/month. Exact costs vary by program but are designed to be budget-friendly compared to in-person schools.
Opportunities & Career Support
OMA is a one-stop-shop for makeup education, offering:
Unlimited Post-Graduation Support: Lifetime access to updated content and instructor guidance.
Personalized Feedback: Unlimited video feedback from industry experts.
Portfolio Development: Assistance in building a professional portfolio.
Pro Discounts: Access to discounts (up to 40%) from brands like Frends Beauty and Nigels Beauty Emporium.
Certification: OMACA-approved certificates recognized industry-wide, shipped to students’ doors.
Global Opportunities: Graduates work in major markets like Los Angeles, New York, and Miami, with some securing jobs at Sephora, MAC, and Ulta Beauty.
Kit Details
Included: A professional makeup and hairstyling kit featuring top brands like Make Up For Ever and Inglot, tailored to all skill levels.
Quality: Pro-grade products ensure students are equipped for professional work.
Unique Highlights
Hybrid Learning Model: Combines online flexibility with personalized mentorship.
Global Reach: Serves students in the US, Canada, UK, Australia, and beyond.
Accreditation: Internationally recognized, ensuring credentials are respected worldwide.
No Prerequisites: Open to all, with no minimum age or education requirements.
Student Reviews
Google Reviews: Thousands of five-star reviews praise OMA’s comprehensive curriculum, supportive instructors, and high-quality kits. Students highlight the ease of learning and career benefits.
TrustPilot (OMA TrustPilot Reviews): 5-star rating from 38 reviews, with comments like, “The materials are professional, detailed, and easy to follow… instructors provide constant support.”
YouTube Testimonials: Across YouTube testimonials and beauty forums, you’ll find positive personal stories about OMA. For example, one Reddit user shared: “Online Makeup Academy is legit! I did the Elite Career Path with them – not only did I learn a ton, but the instructors gave me detailed video feedback that really improved my skills” . Others on YouTube have noted how comprehensive the Master Makeup course is, covering techniques even some in-person schools missed, and appreciated the honest, constructive critiques on their assignments. The common thread in reviews is the support: students feel connected to their mentors and well-prepared to enter the makeup industry upon completion. Many OMA alumni are now working as freelance bridal artists, retail makeup specialists, or assisting on editorial shoots, which speaks to the academy’s ability to produce job-ready makeup artists. Overall, the student sentiment is overwhelmingly positive: OMA is praised for its depth of training, the convenience of learning from home, and the tangible career boosts it provides.
Best for
Students who want to study from home on their own schedule, with a kit shipped to them and an instructor reviewing their work by video. If you’d rather have an instructor beside you in real time and classmates to network with, one of the in-person schools above will suit you better.
Online or in person?
| Online program | In-person school | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Lower tuition; no commute | Higher tuition, plus travel or relocation |
| Schedule | Study around work and family | Fixed weekday, evening or weekend classes |
| Feedback | Best programs review every assignment by video | An instructor beside you, in real time |
| Practice | You find your own models | Models and classmates in class |
| Networking | Online communities | Classmates and local industry contacts |
Choose online if you need flexibility and can practice on your own models; choose in person if you learn best with someone correcting your hand as you work, and a campus is within reach. Read do online makeup courses work? and how to become a makeup artist online.
Conclusion
Choosing the right makeup school is a pivotal decision for aspiring makeup artists. If you'd rather study from home on your own schedule and at a lower cost, an online program like ours may suit you. Schools like Make-Up Designory (MUD) and Cinema Makeup School offer specialized training and industry connections, ideal for those seeking in-person education. By aligning your choice with your career goals, budget, and learning preferences, you can embark on a successful journey in makeup artistry.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best online makeup artist certification?
Look for an online program where a working makeup artist reviews every assignment, a professional kit is included, and the curriculum covers hygiene and business as well as technique. At Online Makeup Academy, the Master Makeup Program ($899) and the Elite Career Path ($1,599) both work this way. Compare certificate types in our guide to makeup artist certifications.
How much does makeup school cost?
On this list, full in-person programs run from about $8,000 to $31,000 including kits and fees, short courses and intensives start at $2,500, and online programs cost less: OMA's run $899 to $1,599 with the kit included.
How long is makeup school?
From a few days (intensives) to about nine months (Cosmix's 1,200-hour Master Pro). Most full programs run 9 to 32 weeks in person; OMA students usually finish the Master Makeup Program in 6 to 12 weeks part time.
Can I use financial aid for makeup school?
Most makeup schools don't take federal aid. On this list, only L Makeup Institute does (Pell Grants and Direct Loans). Others offer payment plans, VA benefits or scholarships.
Do you need a license after makeup school?
A makeup school certificate is not a state license. Most states require a cosmetology or esthetics license to do makeup for pay, usually with exemptions for film, TV, theater or retail work; 13 states, including Texas and Florida, don't license makeup-only work. Check your state's rules.
Key Citations
OMA Makeup programs
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