Best Advanced Esthetician Schools (2026): 9 Compared

For estheticians. Updated October 2, 2026 · Prepared by Prospyr. Prospyr makes practice software, not esthetics education, and none of the schools below is a Prospyr product. Each summary reflects what the school publishes on its own website, checked October 2026. Tuition, hours, start dates and state licensing rules change, so confirm everything in writing, and with your state board, before you enroll.

What does an advanced esthetician school teach?

An advanced or medical esthetician school trains estheticians in the treatments med spas and physician practices hire for: chemical peels beyond the basic level, microneedling, laser and IPL, radiofrequency, and clinical skin analysis, plus charting, consultations and laser safety. Some programs are post-license courses for estheticians who already hold a license. Others are 1,200-hour "master" programs in states that license a second tier, such as Utah and Virginia, according to the schools there. A certificate does not set your scope of practice. Your state board decides which devices and peels an esthetician may use, and under whose supervision.

The 9 advanced esthetician schools at a glance

How we chose this list

We looked for schools that name advanced, master or medical esthetics on their own websites, then checked four things you can verify before a tour:

• Who the program is for. Post-license training for working estheticians and full master programs for new students are different purchases. We say which is which.
• Published modalities. We favored schools that list the devices and peels they teach, not just "advanced skin care."
• Published price and hours. Schools that state total cost, kit fees and clock hours ranked higher.
• Licensing fit. A program only helps if it prepares you for a license or certificate your state recognizes.

The order is our editorial view, not a measure of results. If you can't relocate, the best school is usually the closest one that meets your state's hours.

1. Aesthetics Institute

The Aesthetics Institute is a family-owned esthetics school at 2245 SE Powell Blvd in Portland, Oregon, with more than 40 years of teaching and 2,000+ graduates, according to its site. Its Advanced Esthetics Program, which it says is often called "medical esthetics," is only for estheticians who already hold a license.

What stands out:

• A long device list. The school lists IPL photorejuvenation, microneedling, RF microneedling, RF skin tightening and body contouring, non-ablative fractional laser resurfacing, laser and IPL hair removal, non-ablative laser tattoo removal, and Jessner's and other advanced peels.
• Practice skills, too. Medical terminology and charting, clinical photography, consultations, CPR, and laser safety officer training are part of the course.
• Clear hours. 500 clock hours: 225 online theory hours over the first seven weeks, then 275 hours in person. Classes start about every two months, full time or part time.
• Published price. $21,800 total for 2026 ($250 enrollment, $3,750 kit, $17,800 tuition). The school states tuition rises to $19,800 in January 2027.
• Small classes. It reports most classes have six to eight students and that it is one of six schools in Oregon offering Advanced Esthetics.

Right for: a licensed esthetician in Oregon or southwest Washington who wants to work on lasers and devices in a med spa. Ask: how many hands-on hours you get on each device, and how the program lines up with Oregon's advanced esthetics license.

2. National Laser Institute

National Laser Institute is a cosmetic laser and injection training school with campuses in Scottsdale, Arizona; Dallas, Texas; and Oak Brook, Illinois, plus course cities such as Houston, Nashville, Philadelphia, Boston, Las Vegas and New York. It reports 21 years in operation and 20,000+ graduates.

What stands out:

• A short format. Its Comprehensive Laser Bootcamp, aimed at estheticians and career changers, runs two weeks: five days online, then nine days of clinical hands-on (ten in Arizona).
• Modalities. Laser hair removal, IPL photofacial, laser skin rejuvenation, body contouring, tattoo removal, RF skin tightening and microneedling.
• Published prices. The bootcamp is listed at $8,750 (originally $10,950). An 8-day laser hair reduction course is $2,450 and an 8-day core laser course is $6,350, as of October 2026.
• Licensing. The school states the Arizona Board for Private Post Secondary Education licenses it as a vocational program.

Right for: a licensed esthetician who wants laser certification fast and doesn't need a new license. Ask: whether the certificate meets your own state's laser rules, which vary widely; the school's Arizona approvals don't carry over.

3. Skin Science Institute

Skin Science Institute runs campuses in Sandy and Orem, Utah. Its 1,200-hour Comprehensive Master Esthetics Program combines basic and master training. The school lists chemical peels, microneedling, laser and light-based technologies, pigmentation and vascular treatments, body contouring and acne and scar correction, with supervised work in its student spa and clinic from early in the program.

It also offers a 600-hour Intermediate Master program and continuing education for working estheticians. Published cost for the 1,200-hour program is $19,250 ($16,450 tuition, $100 application, $100 registration, $2,600 kit).

Right for: a new student in Utah who wants the master license from the start. Ask: what the 600-hour option requires, and how much laser time is hands-on versus observed.

4. Skinworks School of Advanced Skincare

Skinworks has trained estheticians in South Salt Lake, Utah, since 1995. It states that starting in 2026 it offers esthetics training only through a 1,200-hour Master Esthetics program, and that basic-license holders can transfer in. The curriculum includes TCA and Jessner's peels, microneedling, IPL, laser hair removal across Fitzpatrick skin types, Nd:YAG tattoo removal and superficial vein treatment.

Published cost is $18,551.61 ($15,000 tuition, $100 application, $3,203.35 kit plus tax). The day schedule takes 40 weeks; evenings and Saturdays take about 56. The next day start listed is October 20, 2026.

Right for: students who want a detailed, published laser curriculum. Ask: how transfer credit works if you already hold a basic license.

5. Cameo College

Cameo College in Murray, Utah, offers a 1,200-hour Master Medical Esthetics program that combines basic and master esthetics under the direction of its medical director, Dr. Richard Fryer. Listed training includes microneedling, chemical peeling, microcurrent, ultrasound, laser hair removal and skin resurfacing. The school also sells separate short classes in microneedling, dermaplaning and chemical peels.

Published cost is $19,286 total, with $16,110 in tuition. Full time takes about 34 weeks; part-time evening takes about 15 months. Start dates run roughly monthly.

Right for: students who want a start date soon. Ask: the school itself suggests confirming which laser topics are hands-on and which are demonstrations.

6. DSI Aesthetics Academy

DSI Aesthetics Academy in Reston, Virginia, reports more than 15 years of training. It offers 600-hour Basic and 600-hour Master Esthetician programs approved by the Virginia board. The master program requires the basic program first and covers chemical peels, microdermabrasion and other advanced procedures for the Virginia master exam.

It lists value pricing of $11,000 per program ($9,500 tuition, $1,400 books and supplies, $100 registration), as of October 2026.

Right for: estheticians in Northern Virginia and the DC area working toward a master license. Ask: whether the posted price applies to the master program, and what device training is included.

7. Elaine Sterling Institute

Elaine Sterling Institute has campuses in Buckhead and Dunwoody in Atlanta, Georgia. It is CIDESCO accredited and lists accreditation from the Council on Occupational Education. Its core esthetician program is 1,000 hours.

For licensed estheticians, its continuing education site lists a 4-day Advanced Mediaesthetics class at $1,695, a CIDESCO skincare certificate at $1,995 and a CIDESCO beauty therapy diploma at $2,795, each including prep class and exam.

Right for: estheticians who want an international credential or a short advanced class. Ask: what the Advanced Mediaesthetics class covers hands-on.

8. Catherine Hinds Institute

Catherine Hinds Institute in Woburn, Massachusetts, has taught esthetics for more than 45 years. Beyond its 600-hour esthetics program, it offers more than 20 certifications for licensed professionals only, including microneedling, dermaplaning, PCA Skin peels, Linder Health peels and HydraFacial. It states these certifications are approved by the Massachusetts State Board of Cosmetology.

Right for: working estheticians in New England adding one or two treatments at a time. Ask: class sizes, prices, and which certifications fit your scope.

9. Christine Valmy

Christine Valmy has run beauty schools since 1965, with campuses in New York and New Jersey. Its advanced education seminars are open to students, alumni and licensed professionals. Listed courses include advanced chemical peels, laser hair removal and microdermabrasion, taught in person.

Right for: estheticians in the New York area who want a single course, not a program. Ask: prices, alumni discounts and whether a course counts toward New York or New Jersey requirements.

Questions to ask any advanced esthetician school

1. Does this prepare me for a license or a certificate? In master-license states, ask which exam the program prepares you for. Elsewhere, ask what your state board recognizes.
2. How many hands-on hours per device? Ask for the count on lasers, IPL and microneedling, and whether you treat real people or watch demonstrations.
3. What is the total cost? Include kit fees, sales tax, exam fees and any price increase before your start date.
4. Who supervises the medical treatments? Ask for the medical director's name and role.
5. What are completion and licensure pass rates? Accredited schools publish disclosures. Ask for them.
6. What happens after graduation? Ask about job placement, med spa partners and refresher classes.

Where Prospyr fits

An advanced esthetician spends much of the day in a practice's charting and booking system: treatment notes, device settings, before-and-after photos and consent. If you're joining or running a med spa, it helps to know how aesthetic charting and a photo archive work before day one. Practice owners can book a practice demo.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a master esthetician and a medical esthetician?

"Master esthetician" is a license tier in some states; schools on this list prepare students for master exams in Utah and Virginia. "Medical esthetician" is usually a job title or a school's program name, not a license. Check what your own state issues.

Can an esthetician do laser treatments?

It depends on your state. Some states let estheticians operate lasers after training, some require medical supervision, and some reserve lasers for licensed medical providers. Ask your state board before you pay for a laser course.

How long does advanced esthetics training take?

Post-license programs on this list run from a few days to about 500 hours. Full master programs run about 1,200 hours, which these schools list at 34 to 56 weeks.

How much does advanced esthetician school cost?

Published prices on this list range from $1,695 for a 4-day class to $21,800 for a 500-hour post-license program, as of October 2026. Full 1,200-hour master programs in Utah list $18,500 to $19,300.

Do med spas prefer graduates of certain schools?

Most med spas care more about hands-on experience, your license and how you chart. See our guide to California esthetician delegation rules for one state's limits, and our lists of online aesthetic education platforms and PRP and hair restoration training for continuing education.

Want your company considered?

We review this list quarterly. Schools that train estheticians in advanced or medical esthetics can send their website and what they offer to info@prospyrmed.com. Inclusion is editorial and not paid.

Editorial scope

This list is based on each school's public website, checked October 2026 with AI-assisted research. Schools did not review this article before publication. It is not a guarantee of results or a substitute for checking accreditation, licensure outcomes and your state board's rules. Read our methodology or report a correction.