More than a Nail License

I want to be a nail artist... At the Atelier Academy, our 350-hour nail technician training program offers a real-world education that includes in-demand skills like luxury pedicures, gel nail manicures, reflexology massage, and nail art. We meet and exceed the Minnesota State Board of Cosmetology’s requirements because we aim to do more than simply prep students for a license, but rather equip our students for to be successful nail techs in the beauty industry.

Atelier student manicures another student's nails while an instructor watches on

A State-of-the-Art Curriculum...

The reason students attend Atelier Academy and the most elite salons hire our graduates? We offer a superior education.

 We are proud to offer on option of for our busy students to take part of their nail education online for their theory elements.  This gives our student an ability to find a new career more easily when doing a large career transition.  Our industry-leading partners include OPI, LeChat, and other great brands to ensure our students have a robust experience for a sound career in nails.

Students in our nail program get more flexibility to make dreams a reality. Skills and experience in nails is accomplished in 350 short hours. Atelier students are on the clinic floor taking appointments with real-life clients (under supervision, of course) after passing through theory and technical ability requirements.

CROPPED July Nail Outline

Invest in your career

We are proud to say that many of Atelier nail program graduates pass their Minnesota State Cosmetology Board Exams on the first attempt. Many have found great jobs at top nail salons and spas. We can confidently say we offer a premier education for successful salon careers at an extremely affordable 2025 tuition cost of $3,400 and $760 to supply each student with a professional-quality kit of nail tools. Flexible payment plans are available. Contact us to learn more!

2025 Tuition: $3,400 +$760 kit (hard cover & online textbooks included)

Tuition Faqs

Yes! For our nail program, tuition is split between phases so that students make one payment before starting each phase.

Nail Program Payment Plan 2025 Online Phase 1: $477 In-person Phase 1: $270 Online Phase 2: $477 In-person Phase 2: $270 Online Phase 3: $477 In-person Phase 3: $270 Online Phase 4: $477 In-person Phase 4: $682

Before starting the nail technician program, students will need to make a few payments:

  • A $50 application fee is due when applying
  • A $100 registration fee is due when registering
  • The full kit and supplies payment
  • The first tuition installment

Nail Technician 2025 Investment Planner Registration Fee(due at registration): $100 Tuition: $3,400 Supplies + Books (due 1 week before program starts): $760 Total: $4,260 Tuition Due Before 1st Day: $477 Partial Tuition Due (Pay as You Go) 1st phase in-person: $270 2nd phase online: $477 2nd phase in-person: $270 3rd phase online: $477 3rd phase in-person: $270 4th phase online: $477 4th phase in-person: $682

The Atelier does not utilize FAFSA or financial aid. We’ve chosen this approach in order to keep tuition as affordable as possible, maintain small class sizes, and keep our student schedules flexible.

For the nail technician program, we accept a wide variety of external scholarships. 

See links to external beauty industry scholarships here.

Advanced Skills:

Traditional Manicures and Pedicures

Gel Manicures and Gel Pedicures

Luxury and Spa Mani/Pedi

Acrylics, Tips & Sculpts

Nail Forms

Latest Trend Shapes like Coffin and Stiletto

New Nail Art Trends

3D Embellishments

Massage and Reflexology

Electric Drill Technology

What to Expect

Atelier Academy is seeking students who are serious about their careers, because we're serious about producing top-of-the-line nail artists. Because our student-teacher ratio is low, we work with students who are driven to work, learn and succeed.

For Atelier, nail technician training begins with anatomy and quickly moves to perfecting every kind of manicure from acrylics to gels, design shapes and more. More importantly, learn the communications skills to ace job interviews and retain clients. Our 350-hour nail tech course covers all the essentials while booking real-life clients who will help our students get accustomed to client consultations, book-building and the art of conversations.

While our nail tech training is rigorous, detail-oriented and best suited for motivated students, we also pride ourselves in our personal attention and flexibility. Our instructors invest in you. We are happy to personalize our schedule and curriculum to fit the career goals of our students. We value driven people, and we are happy to accommodate students who are interested in furthering their education.

Nail Program

Nice to meet you! Want to book a tour? Curious about the program? Let us know which information you are looking for so we can help you best.

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Can't wait to get started? Fill out an application today.

Student Application

Support your tuition. Learn more about industry scholarships.

Beauty Changes Lives Scholarships
Beauty Schools Directory Scholarship
Professional Beauty Association Scholarships

Student Quick Picks

A pair of hands display a mossy green manicure above a bed of yellow flowers

Products

Atelier offers students quality products daily. OPI and LeChat professional nail products can be found in many top nail spas and salons.

Student writes in a textbook while studying on an iPad at a table outside.

Flexibility

Instructors and students are able to coordinate schedules to work with families and students juggling jobs and other life commitments.

A view through a mirror with lightbulbs glowing along the top is seen a row of black pedicure chairs and a large garage door window letting rays of sun in

Visuals

Atelier is a school that looks like a salon to offer students the confidence and professionalism required in the industry.

A collection of students work on the nails of a client, nails on a wooden dowel, and with an instructor, and wearing a variety of colors and styles of clothing

Attire

A playful trendy professional dress code allows students to be creative and find their niche in the industry.

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