Career Training Path › Georgia › Helms College
Helms College
Augusta, Georgia · Private non-profit career college · Training programs available:
Address: 3145 Washington Road, Augusta, GA 30907 · Phone: (706) 651-9707 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Helms College is a private non-profit trade school in Augusta, GA offering culinary, medical assistant, and HVAC programs, accredited by ACCET.
Helms College has a 36.4% completion rate, below the Georgia state average of 49.7%, and graduates carry a median debt of $9,500, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Median earnings 10 years after entry are not reported for this campus.
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data; federal financial aid can be used, and 67.3% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chefs and head cooks | $43,300 | $66,230 | $90,350 |
| Medical assistants | $34,270 | $41,600 | $46,870 |
| HVAC and refrigeration mechanics and installers | $36,990 | $56,390 | $66,180 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in Georgia (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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 57 | $17,840 | $19,911 | $12,715 |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 32 | $17,840 | $19,911 | $12,715 |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Associate degree | 29 | $22,584 | not reported | $20,000 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 20 | not reported | not reported | $9,289 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 7 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 6 | $17,840 | $19,911 | $12,715 |
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
Helms College is a private non-profit trade and career school located in Augusta, Georgia. It is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training, and federal financial aid, including FAFSA and Pell Grants, can be used to attend. The campus awards programs across six program families, with the largest numbers of completers in culinary & pastry schools, medical assistant programs, and HVAC schools.
Federal data shows a completion rate of 36.4%, which is below the Georgia state average of 49.7%. Median debt among graduates is reported at $9,500. Median earnings 10 years after entry are not reported for this campus in federal data. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. About 67.3% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a large share of lower-income students attend this campus.
With 183 undergraduates enrolled and 151 trade program completers, Helms College operates on a relatively small scale in a midsize city. The program mix, heavy in culinary training alongside medical assistant and HVAC offerings, suggests a range of program lengths, though specific program duration is not reported here. Prospective students, including career changers, should verify current program lengths, licensing requirements, and costs directly with the school, and can confirm accreditation status and outcomes through the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Helms College offers programs across six program families, with the most completers in culinary & pastry schools (124), medical assistant programs (20), and HVAC schools (7).
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, Helms College is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training, and its accreditation status is listed as accredited.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this campus 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 36.4%, which is below the Georgia state average of 49.7%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates carry a median debt of $9,500, per federal data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are not reported for this campus in federal data; check the College Scorecard link for updates.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. Contact the school at (706) 651-9707 or visit https://www.helms.edu/ for current tuition.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
Helms College is a private non-profit institution, which typically means it reinvests revenue into the school rather than distributing profits to owners or shareholders.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Specific program lengths are not reported in this data; contact the school directly to confirm program duration.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation through the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training and review federal outcome data at the College Scorecard link: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?481155.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The program mix includes culinary, medical assistant, and HVAC training, which are common fields for career changers, but specific fit depends on program length and schedule, which are not detailed here; contact the school to discuss options.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing or certification requirements are not reported in this data; contact the school or check with your state's licensing board for specifics related to your chosen field.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Helms College at (706) 651-9707 or through its website at https://www.helms.edu/.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data with nearby schools is not reported in this dataset; the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?481155 can help compare outcomes across institutions.
Other trade and career schools in Augusta, GA
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- Georgia Institute of Cosmetology/AugustaAugusta, GA · state-licensed school
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See all trade and career schools in Georgia 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.