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Academy of Cosmetology
Merritt Island, Florida · Private for-profit career school
Address: 2088 N. Courtenay Parkway, Merritt Island, FL 32953 · Phone: (321) 452-8490 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Academy of Cosmetology is a private for-profit trade school in Merritt Island, Florida offering cosmetology, barber, and nail technician programs, accredited by NACCAS.
Academy of Cosmetology has a 38.7% completion rate, below the Florida state average of 70.5%, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Median graduate debt is $5,500 and median earnings 10 years after entry are $20,144.
Cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. The school participates in Title IV federal financial aid, and about 45.5% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists | $27,450 | $29,530 | $35,090 |
| Barbers | $31,000 | $49,410 | $59,240 |
| Manicurists and pedicurists | $28,730 | $37,840 | $48,260 |
| Massage therapists | $30,310 | $49,680 | $59,700 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in Florida (May 2025; national where the state figure is not published). The program table below shows what this campus's own graduates earned in their first year, whatever job they took.
Trade programs at this campus
| Program | Credential | Grads / yr | Earnings, yr 1 | Earnings, yr 2 | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 23 | $16,030 | $15,758 | $6,333 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, under 300 hours | 21 | $16,030 | $15,758 | $6,333 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 12 | $16,030 | $15,758 | $6,333 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 10 | $16,030 | $15,758 | $6,333 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 8 | $16,030 | $15,758 | $6,333 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, under 300 hours | 7 | $16,030 | $15,758 | $6,333 |
| Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 7 | $18,129 | not reported | not reported |
Earnings are median wages and self-employment income reported to the IRS (W-2 and Schedule SE) for graduates who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled, measured in the calendar year after finishing. They are pay only: health insurance, retirement contributions and other benefits are not included.
Graduates per year from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey. Earnings and debt are College Scorecard field-of-study medians for graduates of this program at this campus (reported at the 4-digit program level, so closely related programs share a figure); "not reported" means too few graduates were counted to publish a figure.
About this school
Academy of Cosmetology is a private for-profit trade school located in Merritt Island, Florida. The campus is accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences, and it participates in federal Title IV programs, meaning students may use FAFSA-based federal financial aid to help pay for enrollment. The school's largest programs by completions are cosmetology schools, followed by barber schools and nail technician schools, with seven program offerings in total across the cosmetology, barbering, nail technology, and massage therapy fields.
Federal data shows a completion rate of 38.7%, which is below the Florida state average of 70.5% for similar programs. Graduates who took on debt had a median balance of $5,500, and median earnings ten years after entry were reported at $20,144. About 45.5% of students at this campus receive Pell Grants, indicating a substantial share of lower-income students. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data.
This campus appears structured around short, focused programs in personal-care trades rather than multi-year associate degrees, based on the program families listed. That structure may suit students seeking a direct path into cosmetology, barbering, or nail technology fields, including adult career changers, though specific program lengths are not reported for this campus in federal data. Prospective students should verify current accreditation status directly with NACCAS and review the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard entry for this school before enrolling, since completion and earnings figures shown here are below comparable state averages.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Academy of Cosmetology offers cosmetology, barber, nail technician, and massage therapy programs. Cosmetology is the largest program by completions, followed by barbering and nail technology, across seven total programs.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, the school is accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences (NACCAS), and its accreditation status is listed as accredited.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, the school participates in Title IV federal aid programs, so students can use FAFSA-based aid including Pell Grants. About 45.5% of students here currently receive Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 38.7%, which is below the Florida state average of 70.5% for comparable programs.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates who borrowed had a median debt of $5,500, according to federal data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings ten years after entry are reported at $20,144.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school directly for current tuition.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
Academy of Cosmetology is a private for-profit school, which can affect cost structure and financial aid outcomes compared to public or non-profit institutions.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program lengths are not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school at (321) 452-8490 or visit its website for details.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can confirm accreditation with NACCAS and review completion, debt, and earnings figures on the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard at the school's dedicated page.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The school's focus on short, trade-specific programs like cosmetology and barbering may suit career changers, though specific program lengths and schedules are not reported for this campus in federal data.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing requirements for cosmetology, barbering, and nail technology are set by the state of Florida; this is not reported in federal data, so contact the school or the Florida licensing board to confirm.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Academy of Cosmetology at (321) 452-8490 or through its website, https://academyofcosmetology.edu/.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data for nearby schools is not included in this listing; check the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?372462 to compare completion, debt, and earnings figures across schools.
Data: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey; College Scorecard June 2026; Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), September 2026. Figures are the U.S. Department of Education's official measures, not Career Training Path's opinion. Tuition, schedules and program availability change — confirm with the school before enrolling.