What to Expect on Your Beauty School Tour

Last reviewed: August 2026

Choosing a beauty school is a big decision, and a website can only tell you so much.

A campus tour gives you the opportunity to see the classrooms and training spaces in person, meet the people you may be learning from, compare programs and schedules, ask questions about costs and Financial Aid, and get a feel for whether the school actually feels right for you.

At Renaissance Academie Cosmetology and Esthetics (RACE) in Provo, Utah, your tour is designed to be a relaxed opportunity to explore your options, ask questions, and better understand what becoming a beauty student could look like.

If you have never toured a beauty school before, here is what to expect—and how to make the most of your visit.

Why Should You Tour a Beauty School Before Enrolling?

Beauty education is hands-on.

That means the environment where you learn can matter just as much as the information you read online.

During a campus tour, you can get a better sense of:

• The classrooms
• Salon and spa training spaces
• Equipment and learning environment
• Student atmosphere
• Program options
• Current schedules
• Campus expectations
• Tuition and program costs
• Financial Aid options
• Enrollment requirements

You can also ask questions specific to your own goals rather than trying to piece everything together from different webpages.

A tour is not only about deciding whether you like how a school looks.

It is an opportunity to decide whether the program, schedule, learning environment, and professional pathway fit what you want.

What Happens During a RACE Campus Tour?

When you tour Renaissance Academie, you can expect to explore the campus and talk with the Admissions team about the programs that interest you.

A visit may include opportunities to:

• Meet members of the Admissions team
• Meet or see instructors
• Explore classrooms
• See the student salon
• See clinic and spa training spaces
• Learn about hands-on education
• Compare programs
• Review current schedules
• Discuss hybrid and distance-education options where applicable
• Ask about tuition and program costs
• Learn about Financial Aid
• Review enrollment requirements
• Talk through possible next steps

Your visit is also an opportunity to ask questions that are specific to your life.

If you work, have children, are attending high school, need a part-time option, are considering night school, or are trying to decide between two programs, tell Admissions.

Those details can help make the conversation more useful.

Explore the Programs Before Your Tour

RACE currently offers five professional beauty programs.

Having a general idea of what interests you before your visit can help—but you do not need to know exactly which program you want before you arrive.

Cosmetology — 1,250 Hours

Cosmetology provides broad beauty education with extensive professional hair training plus barbering, foundational skincare, nails, makeup, and related services.

This may be a strong option if you love hair but also want exposure to several areas of beauty.

Hair Design — 1,000 Hours

Hair Design focuses on all things hair, including haircutting, barbering, color, blonding, chemical texture, styling, extensions, and related professional skills.

If hair is clearly your passion, this program may be worth comparing with Cosmetology.

Master Esthetics — 1,200 Hours

Master Esthetics focuses on professional skincare education, including foundational and advanced esthetic techniques.

Students interested in skincare, spa services, or advanced esthetics should explore this pathway.

Nail Technology — 300 Hours

Nail Technology is a focused program for students interested in manicures, pedicures, enhancements, gels, acrylics, E-file techniques, nail art, sanitation, and professional nail services.

Lash & Brow Technology — 270 Hours

Lash & Brow Technology provides focused professional education in eyelash and eyebrow services.

If you are unsure which program fits you, that is actually a great reason to schedule a tour.

Questions to Ask About the Program

Do not worry about asking “too many” questions.

This is your education and your investment.

Some good questions include:

What will I actually learn?

Ask to see the current curriculum and understand which services are included.

How many hours is the program?

Different professional credentials require different training hours.

How much training is on campus?

Hands-on beauty education requires campus participation.

Is distance education available?

Ask how many hours may be completed remotely and what the online portion looks like.

What does a normal week look like?

This is especially important if you are balancing employment or family responsibilities.

How long does the program usually take?

Ask for an estimated completion timeline based on the schedule you are actually considering.

What professional license does this program prepare me for?

Do not choose a program based only on how short it is.

Understand the professional scope connected with the training.

Questions to Ask About Scheduling

Your schedule can have a major impact on your ability to remain consistent in school.

Ask:

• What days would I attend?
• What hours would I attend?
• Are full-time and part-time options available?
• Are night schedules available?
• Which portions can be completed remotely?
• Are there required classes at specific times?
• How does attendance affect graduation?
• What happens if I miss scheduled hours?
• How flexible is the schedule after I begin?

Bring your actual work and family schedule with you if that helps.

The best school schedule is not necessarily the one that gets you through the fastest.

It is the one you can realistically maintain.

Questions to Ask About Tuition and Financial Aid

Do not be afraid to talk about money during your tour.

You should understand the complete financial picture before enrolling.

Ask:

• What is the current tuition?
• What additional fees are required?
• Is a student kit required?
• Are books or educational materials included?
• Are there application fees?
• What should I budget for licensing and testing?
• Is this specific program eligible for Federal Student Aid?
• Are scholarships available?
• Are payment plans available?
• When are payments due?

An important distinction is that Financial Aid eligibility is both student-specific and program-specific.

Not every RACE program is eligible for Federal Student Aid.

Ask about the specific program you are considering rather than assuming the same financing applies to every program.

What Should You Look at During the Tour?

Do not focus only on décor.

Pay attention to how the campus functions as a learning environment.

Look at the Training Areas

Can you picture yourself spending several months learning there?

Notice:

• Classrooms
• Workstations
• Salon spaces
• Spa treatment areas
• Nail areas
• Equipment
• Student workspaces
• General cleanliness and organization

Observe the Students

You may get a glimpse of what day-to-day student life looks like.

Are students:

• Working hands-on?
• Interacting with instructors?
• Practicing techniques?
• Working with clients?
• Engaged in the environment?

Remember that one moment does not tell you everything about a school, but observing the environment can still help.

Pay Attention to How You Feel

This matters too.

Ask yourself:

Can I picture myself learning here?

You will spend a significant amount of time at your school.

The environment should feel like somewhere you can learn, ask questions, practice, make mistakes, improve, and eventually build confidence.

Can You Talk to Instructors?

Your tour may provide an opportunity to meet or see instructors and learn more about the educational environment.

If you get the chance, consider asking:

• What do students find most challenging?
• What skills take the most practice?
• How much hands-on training will I receive?
• How do students prepare for licensing?
• What does practical training look like?
• How is student progress evaluated?

You are not trying to conduct an interview.

A few genuine questions can simply help you understand what it may be like to learn there.

What About Current Students?

Seeing current students can also help make beauty school feel more real.

If an opportunity to interact with students is appropriate during your visit, you may want to ask questions such as:

• What surprised you most about beauty school?
• What do you like about the program?
• What does your weekly schedule feel like?
• What skills have you enjoyed learning most?
• What advice would you give a new student?

Current students are experiencing the learning process now, so their perspective can be valuable.

Ask About Licensing—Not Just Graduation

Graduating from beauty school and receiving a professional license are separate steps.

Before enrolling, ask:

• What Utah credential does this program prepare me for?
• What happens after I complete school?
• What documentation will I need?
• What testing requirements apply?
• How does RACE help students prepare?

Licensing rules can change, so rely on current RACE information and Utah DOPL requirements rather than older blogs or social-media posts.

This has become especially important since Utah’s beauty-industry licensing structure changed significantly in 2026.

Ask About Career Preparation

Beauty school does not guarantee employment, but it is reasonable to ask how a school helps students prepare for professional life.

Questions might include:

• Is business education included?
• Will I learn about client retention?
• Do students learn résumé or interview skills?
• How can I begin building a portfolio?
• Does the school share local employment opportunities?
• Is job-search or networking support available?

RACE provides employment-related assistance and networking resources but does not guarantee employment.

Career preparation is one part of the educational foundation you continue building after graduation.

What Should You Bring to Your Beauty School Tour?

You do not need to arrive with a binder full of documents.

A few things can make the visit easier.

Bring Your Questions

You may think you will remember everything you wanted to ask.

Once you start talking about programs, schedules, money, and licensing, it is easy to forget something.

Save your questions on your phone or bring a small notebook.

Bring Your Schedule

If work, childcare, school, or another commitment affects your availability, bring that information.

It can help Admissions walk through realistic schedule options with you.

Bring Anyone Helping You Make the Decision

If a parent, spouse, partner, or another family member is involved in your education or financial decision, you may want to bring them.

Hearing the information firsthand can make later conversations easier.

Bring an Open Mind

You may arrive convinced you want one program and discover another fits your goals better.

That is okay.

The purpose of the tour is to learn.

What You Do NOT Need to Know Before Your Tour

You do not need to arrive knowing:

• Exactly which program you want
• Exactly how you will pay for school
• Every licensing requirement
• Your exact future specialty
• Where you want to work after graduation
• Your entire career plan

Those are some of the things you are coming to explore.

It is completely normal to start with:

“I know I love beauty, but I’m not sure which path fits me.”

Compare Schools Before Making Your Decision

If you are considering more than one beauty school, touring each one can help you compare them based on real information.

Consider comparing:

• Program scope
• Training hours
• Campus requirements
• Distance education
• Schedules
• Tuition
• Kits and fees
• Financial Aid eligibility
• Facilities
• Student support
• Licensing preparation
• Business education
• Campus environment

Do not choose a school based only on:

• The shortest program
• The lowest advertised price
• A social-media video
• One scholarship
• One person’s experience

Look at the complete picture.

Should You Enroll During Your Tour?

You do not have to enroll simply because you toured.

A tour should help you make an informed decision.

If you feel ready and have reviewed the applicable information, Admissions can explain the next steps.

If you need time to think, compare programs, talk with family, review finances, or ask additional questions, that is reasonable too.

Your education is a meaningful commitment.

Understanding what you are choosing matters.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a beauty school tour take?

Tour length can vary depending on the school, your questions, and how much information you want to review. Ask Admissions when scheduling if you need to plan around work or another commitment.

Do I have to know which beauty program I want before touring?

No.

A tour can help you compare programs and decide which professional path best fits your interests.

Can I bring a parent or partner?

Generally, bringing someone involved in your decision can be helpful. If you have questions about your specific appointment, ask Admissions when scheduling.

Will I see students working during my tour?

Depending on the day, time, and campus activity, you may see students participating in classroom or hands-on training.

Can I ask about Financial Aid during my tour?

Yes.

Understanding tuition, program costs, Financial Aid eligibility, scholarships, and payment options is an important part of comparing schools.

Does touring mean I have to enroll?

No.

A campus visit is an opportunity to explore and ask questions before deciding whether to move forward.

Where is Renaissance Academie?

RACE is located in Provo, Utah.

See RACE for Yourself

Reading about beauty school is helpful.

Seeing it in person is different.

A campus tour gives you the chance to explore the learning environment, meet the team, compare programs and schedules, ask questions about tuition and Financial Aid, and picture what your own beauty-school journey could look like.

Renaissance Academie currently offers:

Cosmetology — 1,250 hours
Hair Design — 1,000 hours
Master Esthetics — 1,200 hours
Nail Technology — 300 hours
Lash & Brow Technology — 270 hours

If you are considering professional beauty education in Utah, schedule a campus tour at RACE in Provo.

Come with questions.

Come with your schedule.

Come with the people helping you make your decision.

And most importantly, come ready to see whether RACE feels like the place where you want to begin building your future in beauty.