Career Training Path › Connecticut › Dolce The Academy
Dolce The Academy
Waterbury, Connecticut · Private for-profit career school · Training programs available:
Address: 91 Schraffts Drive Suite 7, Waterbury, CT 06705 · Phone: (203) 528-3550 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Dolce The Academy is a private for-profit trade school in Waterbury, CT offering cosmetology and esthetician programs, accredited by NACCAS.
Dolce The Academy has a 55.6% completion rate, below the Connecticut state average of 71.5%, and graduates carry a median debt of $9,833, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Median earnings 10 years after entry are not reported for this campus.
Attending Dolce The Academy costs $18,975 a year, and the school accepts federal financial aid including FAFSA and Pell Grants, with 69.7% of students receiving Pell.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists | $34,010 | $44,620 | $59,790 |
| Skincare specialists | $34,010 | $43,680 | $55,370 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in Connecticut (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 | 16 | $15,952 | not reported | $9,833 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 15 | $15,952 | not reported | $9,833 |
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
Dolce The Academy is a private for-profit trade school located in Waterbury, Connecticut. It is accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences and is eligible for federal financial aid (Title IV). The campus is best known for its cosmetology and esthetician programs, offering Cosmetology schools (16) and Esthetician schools (15) as its top program offerings, drawn from two program families.
Federal data shows a completion rate of 55.6%, which is below the state average of 71.5%. Graduates carry a median debt of $9,833. Median earnings 10 years after entry are not reported for this campus in federal data. The annual cost of attendance is $18,975, and 69.7% of students receive Pell Grants, reflecting a largely low-income student population. Enrollment is small, with 44 undergraduate students and 31 trade program completers reported.
This campus may suit students interested in short, hands-on cosmetology or esthetician training in a midsize city setting; program length details for adult or career-changer fit are not reported for this campus in federal data. Prospective students should verify current accreditation status directly with the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences and review the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard for the most up-to-date completion, debt, and earnings figures before enrolling.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Dolce The Academy offers cosmetology and esthetician programs, with Cosmetology schools (16) and Esthetician schools (15) as its top offerings.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, the school is accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences, 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 FAFSA and Pell Grants can be used.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 55.6%, which is below the Connecticut state average of 71.5%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates carry a median debt of $9,833, per federal Scorecard data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are not reported for this campus in federal data. Contact the school at (203) 528-3550 or check the College Scorecard link for updates.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
The annual cost of attendance is $18,975, according to federal data.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
Dolce The Academy is a private for-profit school, which can affect tuition rates and typical financial aid packaging compared to public or non-profit schools.
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 (203) 528-3550 for details.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation with the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences and review outcomes on the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?485607.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
Program length and schedule details needed to assess career-changer fit are not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school for specifics.
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 Connecticut state licensing board or contact the school directly.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Dolce The Academy at (203) 528-3550 or visit https://www.dolceacademy.edu/ for application information.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data with other nearby cosmetology or esthetician schools is not reported in this dataset; consult the College Scorecard to compare schools directly.
Nearby trade and career schools in Connecticut
- Belle Academy of Cosmetology LLCWaterbury, CT · 100% completion
- Industrial Management Training InstituteWaterbury, CT · 78% completion
- Cortiva InstituteCromwell, CT · 85% completion
- Paul Mitchell the School-North HavenNorth Haven, CT · 92% completion
- International Institute of CosmetologyWethersfield, CT · 80% completion
- Academy Di Capelli-School of CosmetologyWallingford, CT · 70% completion
- Oxford Academy of Hair Design IncSeymour, CT · 77% completion
- TIGI Hairdressing Academy NewtownNewtown, CT · 81% completion
See all trade and career schools in Connecticut 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.