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Bellus Academy-El Cajon
El Cajon, California · Private for-profit career school · Training programs available:
Address: 1073 E Main St, El Cajon, CA 92021 · Phone: (619) 442-3407 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Bellus Academy-El Cajon is a private for-profit trade school in El Cajon, California, offering cosmetology, esthetician, and barber programs, accredited by NACCAS.
Bellus Academy-El Cajon has a 71.8% completion rate, above the state average of 64.2%, with median graduate debt of $6,333 and median earnings of $30,807 ten years after entry, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Annual cost of attendance at Bellus Academy-El Cajon is $38,794, federal financial aid can be used since the school participates in Title IV programs, and 60.1% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists | $35,360 | $38,660 | $49,030 |
| Skincare specialists | $34,650 | $38,770 | $54,110 |
| Barbers | $35,900 | $38,380 | $44,790 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in California (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, 300–899 hours | 59 | $16,245 | $17,835 | $7,917 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 52 | $16,245 | $17,835 | $7,917 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 20 | $16,245 | $17,835 | $7,917 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 2–4 years | 10 | $16,245 | $17,835 | $7,917 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 5 | $16,245 | $17,835 | $7,917 |
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
Bellus Academy-El Cajon is a private for-profit trade school in El Cajon, California, accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences. Federal financial aid, including FAFSA and Pell Grants, can be used to attend. The campus's most-awarded programs are cosmetology schools (77 completers), esthetician schools (59), and barber schools (10), across five program offerings.
Federal Scorecard data show a completion rate of 71.8%, above the California state average of 64.2% for similar programs. Graduates carry a median debt of $6,333, and median earnings 10 years after entry are $30,807. Annual cost of attendance is listed at $38,794, and 60.1% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a large share of students with financial need.
This campus, located in a large suburb, primarily serves students pursuing cosmetology, esthetician, and barber careers. Given the concentration in cosmetology and personal-care trades, it may suit those seeking hands-on, licensure-track training rather than a traditional associate degree path; whether it fits an adult career-changer's schedule is not reported for this campus in federal data. Prospective students should verify accreditation status directly with the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences and review the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard for the most current completion, debt, and earnings figures before enrolling.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Bellus Academy-El Cajon offers cosmetology, esthetician, and barber programs, with cosmetology schools (77 completers), esthetician schools (59), and barber schools (10) being the most-awarded among its five 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, this school participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so students can use FAFSA and Pell Grants to help pay for attendance.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 71.8%, which is above the California state average of 64.2% for similar programs, per federal Scorecard data.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates carry a median debt of $6,333, according to federal Scorecard data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings for graduates 10 years after entry are $30,807, per the College Scorecard.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
The annual cost of attendance is reported as $38,794.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
Bellus Academy-El Cajon is a private for-profit school, which can affect tuition costs, financial aid options, and how outcomes are regulated compared to public or non-profit institutions.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program length is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school directly at (619) 442-3407 or visit https://www.bellusacademy.edu/ for details.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation through NACCAS and review official outcome data on the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?116563.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
This is not reported for this campus in federal data; the programs focus on cosmetology, esthetician, and barber training, so fit depends on individual goals and schedule needs, which you should confirm with the school.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Specific licensing requirements are not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school or your state licensing board for cosmetology, esthetics, or barbering requirements.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can contact Bellus Academy-El Cajon by phone at (619) 442-3407 or visit their website at https://www.bellusacademy.edu/ to apply or get more information.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data with other nearby schools is not reported for this campus in federal data; check the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?116563 to compare similar institutions.
Other trade and career schools in El Cajon, CA
- Bellus AcademyEl Cajon, CA · state-licensed school
- Grossmont CollegeEl Cajon, CA · 37% completion
- ATA CollegeEl Cajon, CA · 90% completion
- Cuyamaca CollegeEl Cajon, CA · 41% completion
- Cajon Valley Union School DistrictEl Cajon, CA
- Grossmont Adult EdEl Cajon, CA
- Bellus Academy-PowayPoway, CA · 73% completion
- Palomar Institute of CosmetologySan Marcos, CA · 89% completion
See all trade and career schools in California or search by ZIP code.
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.