Career Training Path › Iowa › La James College of Hairstyling and Cosmetology
La James College of Hairstyling and Cosmetology
Mason City, Iowa · Private for-profit career college · Training programs available:
Address: 24 Second St NE, Mason City, IA 50401 · Phone: (641) 424-2161 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
Sanction on record, not yet lifted — May 2026 · Monitoring · National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences.
La James College of Hairstyling and Cosmetology is a private for-profit trade school in Mason City, Iowa, offering esthetician, nail technician, and cosmetology programs, accredited by NACCAS.
Per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, this campus has a 76.5% completion rate, above the state average of 63.6%, with median graduate debt of $6,930 and median earnings of $27,484 ten years after entry.
Annual cost of attendance at La James College of Hairstyling and Cosmetology is $16,532, federal financial aid including FAFSA and Pell Grants is accepted, and 54.7% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skincare specialists | $22,830 | $37,080 | $50,060 |
| Manicurists and pedicurists | $15,800 | $45,420 | $57,770 |
| Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists | $26,650 | $35,700 | $48,580 |
| Massage therapists | $37,560 | $57,710 | $76,090 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in Iowa (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 | 17 | $17,152 | $17,950 | $8,000 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 16 | $17,152 | $17,950 | $8,000 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 2–4 years | 11 | $17,152 | $17,950 | $8,000 |
| Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 6 | not reported | not reported | 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.
About this school
La James College of Hairstyling and Cosmetology is a private for-profit trade school located in Mason City, Iowa, a remote-town setting. The campus is accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences, and federal financial aid, including FAFSA and Pell Grants, can be used here. Its programs award most often in esthetician schools, nail technician schools, and cosmetology schools, with massage therapy schools also offered, across four program families.
Federal data shows a completion rate of 76.5%, above the state average of 63.6% for similar programs. Graduates carry a median debt of $6,930, and median earnings ten years after entry are reported at $27,484. Annual cost of attendance is listed at $16,532, and 54.7% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a substantial share of lower-income students enrolled.
This campus appears geared toward students pursuing short, hands-on personal-care and cosmetology-related credentials rather than multi-year associate degrees, based on the program families listed. Adult learners or career changers considering a switch into cosmetology, esthetics, or nail technology fields may want to review program specifics directly with the school. To verify accreditation status and outcomes independently, prospective students can check the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard or contact the school directly using the information provided. Details such as program length and course schedules are not reported for this campus in federal data and should be confirmed with admissions staff before enrolling.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
La James College of Hairstyling and Cosmetology offers esthetician, nail technician, cosmetology, and massage therapy programs, with esthetician, nail tech, and cosmetology programs being the largest by enrollment.
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 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, meaning FAFSA and Pell Grants can be used here.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 76.5%, which is above the Iowa state average of 63.6% for comparable programs.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates carry a median debt of $6,930, according to federal College Scorecard data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings for graduates ten years after entry are $27,484, per federal data.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
The annual cost of attendance is reported as $16,532.
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 eligibility compared to public or nonprofit 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 (641) 424-2161 or visit lajames.edu for specifics.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation through NACCAS and check outcome data on the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard at the provided link.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
Based on the short-program focus in esthetics, nail technology, and cosmetology, this campus may suit career changers, though specific fit should be confirmed with the school.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing requirements are not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school or Iowa's licensing board for details.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can contact La James College of Hairstyling and Cosmetology at (641) 424-2161 or through its website, https://www.lajames.edu/.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data with other nearby schools is not reported for this campus in federal data; consult the College Scorecard for nearby program comparisons.
Nearby trade and career schools in Iowa
- North Iowa Area Community CollegeMason City, IA · 61% completion
- Northland Distributing Group, Inc.Mason City, IA
- Iowa Central Community CollegeFort Dodge, IA · 42% completion
- Aveda Institute-Des MoinesWest Des Moines, IA · 88% completion
- Capri College-DubuqueDubuque, IA · 74% completion
- PCI Academy-AmesAmes, IA · 77% completion
- Capri College-DavenportDavenport, IA · 82% completion
- La James International College-DavenportDavenport, IA · 91% completion
See all trade and career schools in Iowa 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.