Career Training Path › South Carolina › Charleston Cosmetology Institute
Charleston Cosmetology Institute
Charleston, South Carolina · Private for-profit career college · Training programs available:
Address: 8484 Dorchester Road, Charleston, SC 29420 · Phone: (843) 552-3670 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
Sanction on record, not yet lifted — Sep 2025 · Probation · Council on Occupational Education.
Charleston Cosmetology Institute is a private for-profit trade school in Charleston, SC, offering esthetician, nail technician, and cosmetology programs, accredited by the Council on Occupational Education.
Charleston Cosmetology Institute has a 54.7% completion rate, near the state average of 52.0%, with median graduate debt of $5,655 and median earnings of $25,812 ten years after entry, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Annual cost of attendance at Charleston Cosmetology Institute is $17,691, federal financial aid such as FAFSA and Pell Grants can be used, and 47.5% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skincare specialists | $22,530 | $39,670 | $58,430 |
| Manicurists and pedicurists | $18,450 | $33,810 | $43,260 |
| Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists | $21,340 | $33,700 | $56,770 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in South Carolina (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 | 40 | $18,983 | $16,874 | $6,333 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 30 | $18,983 | $16,874 | $6,333 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 13 | $18,983 | $16,874 | $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
Charleston Cosmetology Institute is a private for-profit trade school located in Charleston, South Carolina. It is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education, and federal financial aid, including FAFSA and Pell Grants, can be used by eligible students. The campus's top programs are esthetician schools, nail technician schools, and cosmetology schools, together accounting for most of its enrollment.
Federal data show a completion rate of 54.7%, which is near the state average of 52.0%. Graduates carry a median debt of $5,655, and median earnings ten years after entry are reported at $25,812. The annual cost of attendance is $17,691, and 47.5% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a substantial share of financially eligible students at this campus.
This school may suit students seeking shorter, hands-on training in beauty and personal-care trades rather than a multi-year associate degree, though specific program lengths are not reported for this campus in federal data. Adult learners and career changers considering a switch to esthetics, nail technology, or cosmetology should verify accreditation status directly with the Council on Occupational Education and review current outcome data on the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard before enrolling.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Charleston Cosmetology Institute offers esthetician schools, nail technician schools, and cosmetology schools, with esthetician programs enrolling the most students.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, it is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education, 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 aid programs, so students may use FAFSA and Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 54.7%, which is near the state average of 52.0%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates carry a median debt of $5,655, according to federal data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings ten years after entry are reported at $25,812.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
The annual cost of attendance is $17,691.
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 costs and financial aid options 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 (843) 552-3670 or visit its website for details.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation through the Council on Occupational Education and review outcome data on the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?217794.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The listed programs are in esthetics, nail technology, and cosmetology, fields that often attract career changers, but specific fit details such as scheduling are not reported for this campus in federal data.
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 South Carolina licensing board or the school directly.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can contact Charleston Cosmetology Institute at (843) 552-3670 or through its website, https://www.charlestoncosmetology.com/.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data on nearby schools is not reported in this dataset; consult the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?217794 to compare similar institutions.
Other trade and career schools in Charleston, SC
- Trident Technical CollegeCharleston, SC · 30% completion
- Vski Cosmetology SchoolCharleston, SC · 80% completion
- Miller-Motte College-CharlestonCharleston, SC · career college
- Top of the Line Barber CollegeCharleston, SC · 23% completion
- Paul Mitchell the School-CharlestonNorth Charleston, SC · 75% completion
- Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-Goose CreekGoose Creek, SC · 84% completion
- Southeastern College-CharlestonNorth Charleston, SC · 67% completion
- Technical College of The LowcountryWalterboro, SC
See all trade and career schools in South Carolina 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.