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Bellus Academy

Manhattan, Kansas · Private for-profit career school · Training programs available:

Cosmetology schoolsEsthetician schoolsNail technician schoolsMassage therapy schools
74%completion rate · Kansas avg 57%
$7,917median debt of graduates
$23,546median earnings, 6 yrs after entry
$25,223median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
$31,554annual cost of attendance
Yesfederal aid (FAFSA / Pell) eligible
Accreditation: National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences (Accredited)
Address: 1130 Westloop Place, Manhattan, KS 66502 · Phone: (858) 748-1490 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
Accountability record (federal accreditation database, last 36 months; Department of Education oversight)
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Sanctions are probation, warning, show-cause and loss-of-accreditation actions by any recognized accreditor, including program-specific accreditors (a nursing-program probation counts for the campus). Routine monitoring reviews and voluntary withdrawals are not counted. Ask the school what the action concerned and how it was resolved.

Bellus Academy is a private for-profit trade school in Manhattan, Kansas, offering cosmetology, esthetician, and nail technician programs, accredited by NACCAS.

Bellus Academy has a 74.1% completion rate, above the state average of 57.3%, with median graduate debt of $7,917 and median earnings of $25,223 ten years after entry, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Annual cost of attendance at Bellus Academy is $31,554, federal financial aid is available (Title IV), and 45.4% of students receive Pell Grants.

Completion rate vs. benchmarks
Bellus Academy Bellus Academy: 74.1% 74.1% Kansas average Kansas average: 57.3% 57.3% National average National average: 62.1% 62.1%

What these trades pay once you're working

OccupationStarting (10th pct)MedianExperienced (75th)
Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists$21,910$29,710$48,010
Skincare specialists$28,880$45,760$54,170
Manicurists and pedicurists$21,320$30,930$37,550
Massage therapists$31,490$49,990$58,240

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in Kansas (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

ProgramCredentialGrads / yrEarnings, yr 1Earnings, yr 2Median debt
Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services Certificate, 1–2 years 56 $18,753 $20,099 $9,376
Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services Certificate, 300–899 hours 35 $18,753 $20,099 $9,376
Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services Certificate, 1–2 years 30 $18,753 $20,099 $9,376
Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services Certificate, 1–2 years 18 $18,753 $20,099 $9,376
Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services Certificate, 1–2 years 9 $18,753 $20,099 $9,376
Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services Certificate, 300–899 hours 2 $16,177 $20,824 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.

Visit the school's website ↗

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About this school

Bellus Academy is a private for-profit trade school in Manhattan, Kansas, accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences and approved for federal financial aid (Title IV). The campus most commonly awards credentials in cosmetology, esthetics, and nail technology, with additional programs in massage therapy, across six program offerings total.

Federal data shows a completion rate of 74.1%, above the state average of 57.3%. Graduates carry a median debt of $7,917, and median earnings 10 years after entry are $25,223. Annual cost of attendance is listed at $31,554, and 45.4% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a substantial share of low-income enrollment. Placement rates after graduation are not reported for this campus in federal data.

Given its focus on cosmetology, esthetics, and nail technology, Bellus Academy may suit students seeking shorter, hands-on career-training programs rather than multi-year associate degrees, though specific program lengths are not reported for this campus in federal data. Adults considering a career change should verify program schedules directly with the school. Prospective students can confirm accreditation status and review detailed outcome data through the College Scorecard link provided, or by contacting the school directly using the phone number and website listed.

Questions students ask

What trade and career programs does this campus offer?

Bellus Academy offers programs in cosmetology, esthetics, nail technology, and massage therapy, with cosmetology, esthetician, and nail technician programs being the most awarded, totaling six programs.

Is this school accredited, and by whom?

Yes, Bellus Academy 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, Bellus Academy participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, and 45.4% of its students receive Pell Grants.

What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?

The completion rate at Bellus Academy is 74.1%, which is above the Kansas state average of 57.3%.

How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?

Graduates of Bellus Academy carry a median debt of $7,917, according to federal data.

What do graduates of this school earn?

Median earnings for graduates 10 years after entry are $25,223, per federal data.

How much does it cost to attend for a year?

The annual cost of attendance at Bellus Academy is listed as $31,554.

Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?

Bellus Academy is a private for-profit school, which can affect tuition levels, program costs, and eligibility for certain aid programs 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 (858) 748-1490 or visit https://www.bellusacademy.edu/ for details.

How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?

You can verify accreditation and review detailed outcome data via the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?478953, or confirm accreditation status directly with NACCAS.

Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?

The data does not specify program lengths or schedule flexibility, so fit for adult career changers cannot be confirmed from federal data alone; contact the school directly to discuss options.

What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?

Licensing requirements are not reported for this campus in federal data; check with the Kansas State Board of Cosmetology or contact the school directly for program-specific certification information.

How do I contact the school or apply?

You can contact Bellus Academy by phone at (858) 748-1490 or visit their website at https://www.bellusacademy.edu/ to learn about application procedures.

How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?

Comparative data on nearby schools offering the same trade programs is not reported for this campus in federal data; use the College Scorecard to compare institutions directly.

Other trade and career schools in Manhattan, KS

See all trade and career schools in Kansas 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.

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