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California Hair Design Academy
La Mesa, California · Private for-profit career school · Training programs available:
Address: 8011 University Avenue, Suite A-2, La Mesa, CA 91942 · Phone: (619) 461-8600 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
California Hair Design Academy is a private for-profit trade school in La Mesa, California, offering esthetician, cosmetology, and barber programs, accredited by NACCAS.
California Hair Design Academy has an 86.8% completion rate, above the state average of 64.2%, with median graduate debt of $6,333 and median earnings of $19,347 ten years after entry, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Annual cost of attendance at California Hair Design Academy is $29,960, federal financial aid such as FAFSA and Pell Grants can be used, and 47.7% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skincare specialists | $34,650 | $38,770 | $54,110 |
| Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists | $35,360 | $38,660 | $49,030 |
| Barbers | $35,900 | $38,380 | $44,790 |
| Manicurists and pedicurists | $34,840 | $36,630 | $39,590 |
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 | 52 | $15,545 | $14,608 | $6,333 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 43 | $15,545 | $14,608 | $6,333 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 20 | $15,545 | $14,608 | $6,333 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 3 | $15,545 | $14,608 | $6,333 |
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
California Hair Design Academy is a private for-profit trade school in La Mesa, California, accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences. Because it participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, students may use FAFSA-based aid, including Pell Grants, to help pay for their education. The campus awards programs mainly in esthetician training, cosmetology, and barbering, with esthetician schools (52 completers), cosmetology schools (43), and barber schools (20) representing its top program areas.
Federal data show a completion rate of 86.8%, which is above the state average of 64.2%. Graduates carry a median debt of $6,333, and median earnings 10 years after entry are reported at $19,347. The annual cost of attendance is listed at $29,960, and 47.7% of students receive Pell Grants, reflecting a student body with meaningful financial need.
This campus may suit students seeking short, hands-on training in personal-care trades such as cosmetology, esthetics, or barbering rather than a multi-year associate degree; program length details themselves are not reported for this campus in federal data. Prospective students, including career changers, should verify current accreditation status directly with NACCAS and review the U.S. Department of Education 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?
California Hair Design Academy offers esthetician, cosmetology, barber, and nail technician programs, with esthetician schools (52 completers), cosmetology schools (43), and barber schools (20) as its top 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 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.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 86.8%, which is above the California state average of 64.2%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates carry a median debt of $6,333, according to federal data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are reported at $19,347.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
The annual cost of attendance is $29,960.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
This is a private for-profit school, which can affect tuition pricing and loan terms compared to public or non-profit institutions; prospective students should review cost and outcome data carefully.
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) 461-8600 or visit https://chdaschools.com/ for schedule details.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can confirm accreditation through NACCAS and review completion, debt, and earnings figures on the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?111054.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The campus offers focused personal-care trade programs such as cosmetology, esthetics, and barbering, which may suit career changers seeking shorter, hands-on training, though specific schedule and length details are not reported in federal data.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can contact California Hair Design Academy by phone at (619) 461-8600 or through its website at https://chdaschools.com/.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data for nearby schools is not reported for this campus in federal data; use the College Scorecard link to compare outcomes with other institutions in the area.
Nearby trade and career schools in California
- Bellus Academy-Chula VistaChula Vista, CA · 68% completion
- Alva Beauty CollectiveLemon Grove, CA · state-licensed school
- UEI College-Chula VistaChula Vista, CA · 71% completion
- Southwestern CollegeChula Vista, CA · 36% completion
- Pima Medical Institute-Chula VistaChula Vista, CA · 63% completion
- Mountain Empire Unified School DistrictPine Valley, CA
- Los Angeles Trade Technical CollegeLos Angeles, CA · 35% completion
- Butte CollegeOroville, CA · 45% 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.