Most Diverse Beauty Schools in Phoenix, AZ Metro Area
Diversity can be essential to a thriving educational environment, especially in a multicultural city like Phoenix. Attending a diverse training program can offer a long list of benefits for prospective beauty students. Varying perspectives, personal experiences, beauty techniques, and cultural backgrounds enrich the learning environment and help prepare students to work with clients within diverse communities.
Cultural sensitivity and competence can play essential roles both inside and outside the salon. Keep reading to see which beauty schools in Phoenix are the most diverse!
Phoenix, AZ Beauty Schools with the Most Diverse Student Body
#1: Xtylo Beauty College — Phoenix
96.8% non-white students
Xtylo Beauty and Barber College recognizes the importance of welcoming students of all races and ethnicities. In part due to all their hard work towards inclusivity—especially since nearly all programs are offered in Spanish and English—they boast a 100% licensing test pass. It's also the only beauty school in the state offering the FAFSA in both of those languages.
Previously called Xtylo Beauty School, the college now offers cosmetology, barbering, nail tech, esthetician, and instructor programs. Except for the instructor program, all are offered full- or part-time to meet all students' needs.
Anna Villicana-Arroyo, a client who became a student at the school, sang the school's praises and recommended it highly. On Facebook, she said, "Es una excelente escuela. Primero asistía hacerme servicios de belleza y después como estudiante . Excelente escuela. Muy buena el sistema de educación. 100% recomendada I LOVE XTYLO"
#2: Empire Beauty School — Chandler
79.5% non-white students
This campus is home to the most diverse student population in the Phoenix metro area. Offering an inclusive learning environment and hands-on curriculum, this program meets the needs of its students and provides the knowledge and skills they need to secure state licensure.
Empire's Chandler campus offers a 1,600-hour cosmetology program and a 350-hour educator training pathway. Dating back nearly 25 years, the Chandler campus is known for more than just training future hairstylists—this school also prides itself on being the foundation upon which graduates build their beauty businesses.
#3: International Barber College — Chandler
78.8% non-white students
This college aims to impart vital knowledge and skills to earn a state barbering license. Alongside the school's diverse student population, the school also boasts top graduation rates. It holds accreditation from the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences.
This barber training school also ensures that veterans and their families have access to robust financial aid opportunities to help cover the cost of tuition.
David, a graduate of the school, states, "First, I would like to say thank you to the whole IBC family for everything they taught me when I was a student. I recently graduated and just completed my first month at a barbershop, and all the skills I learned while here helped me to make a successful first month. You get what you put in, and the instructors definitely notice when you work hard. The whole team at IBC is extremely patient, and they truly want to see you succeed. Thank you again for an extremely memorable time!"
#4: The Studio Academy of Beauty — Chandler
76.9% non-white students
Founded in 2006, The Studio Academy of Beauty's Chandler, Arizona campus offers multiple training programs. At nearly 77% non-white enrollment, students learn in an atmosphere that mirrors the community's diverse population.
Students learn from a team of experienced beauty professionals, covering everything they need to know to earn state licensure and jumpstart their careers. Students can choose from a broad catalog of training options, including cosmetology, esthetics, and more.
#5: Empire Beauty School — Avondale
74.5% non-white students
This standout beauty school diversity speaks to its dedication to providing an inclusive learning environment that lays the foundation for a thriving career in cosmetology.
Empire Beauty School is home to two training programs: a traditional cosmetology pathway and an educator training program. Both programs are led by experienced industry professionals and offer a student-centered, interactive curriculum that meets the needs of students from varying backgrounds with diverse educational needs.
#6: Avalon Institute — Phoenix
60.0% non-white students
With a 60% diversity score, Phoenix's Avalon Institute rounds out our list of the most diverse beauty schools. Owing to the school's robust and active salon, students develop the skills they need for state licensure while building a client network.
Like the other schools on our list, Avalon understands how vital hands-on training is when honing cosmetology skills. Students can learn the ins and outs of their chosen beauty career and gain the confidence they need to thrive. Avalon offers programs in cosmetology, esthetics, and beauty instruction.
#7: Kor Beauty Academy — Peoria
58.3% non-white students
#8: Paul Mitchell The School Phoenix — Phoenix
54.2% non-white students
#9: Avalon Institute — Mesa
53.3% non-white students
#10: Aveda Institute Phoenix — Tempe
47.5% non-white students
More Phoenix-Area Beauty School Rankings
Methodology and Editor’s Notes
We compared educational institutions from the Beauty Schools Directory database of beauty programs across the U.S. Those analyzed for these rankings were educational institutions that:
For this ranking, we used each school’s reported student population race/ethnicity data from 2022, the most recent available as of publication time.