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La James International College-Ft Dodge
Fort Dodge, Iowa · Private for-profit career college
Address: 2419 5th Avenue South, Fort Dodge, IA 50501 · Phone: (515) 576-3119 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
Sanction on record, not yet lifted — Aug 2025 · Probation · National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences. 3 sanction actions in the window.
La James International College-Ft Dodge is a private for-profit trade school in Fort Dodge, Iowa offering esthetician, cosmetology, and nail technician programs, accredited by NACCAS.
Per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, this campus has a 90.0% completion rate versus the Iowa state average of 63.6%, with median graduate earnings of $26,679 ten years after entry. Median graduate debt is not reported for this campus.
Annual cost of attendance at La James International College-Ft Dodge is reported at $20,989, and the school participates in Title IV federal financial aid. About 68.8% 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 |
| Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists | $26,650 | $35,700 | $48,580 |
| Manicurists and pedicurists | $15,800 | $45,420 | $57,770 |
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 | 11 | $17,635 | $23,340 | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 2–4 years | 6 | $17,635 | $23,340 | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 1 | $17,635 | $23,340 | 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 International College-Ft Dodge is a private for-profit trade school in Fort Dodge, Iowa, located in a remote town setting. It is accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences, and federal financial aid (Title IV, including FAFSA and Pell Grants) can be used here. The campus focuses on beauty and personal-care trades, with its most-awarded programs being esthetician schools, cosmetology schools, and nail technician schools.
Federal data show a completion rate of 90.0%, above the Iowa state average of 63.6%. Median earnings for graduates 10 years after entry are reported at $26,679. Annual cost of attendance is listed at $20,989, and 68.8% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a student body with significant financial need. Median debt of graduates is not reported for this campus in federal data.
With a small enrollment of about 22 undergraduates and 18 trade completers, this campus suits students pursuing focused, hands-on training in cosmetology-related fields rather than a broad academic associate degree. Because specific program lengths are not detailed in the data provided, prospective students—including career changers—should contact the school directly to confirm schedules and how programs fit around work or family obligations. To verify accreditation status and review current federal outcome data, check the accreditor's listing and the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
This campus offers esthetician schools (11 completers), cosmetology schools (6 completers), and nail technician schools (1 completer), covering three program families in the beauty and personal-care field.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, it 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, meaning students can use FAFSA-based aid including Pell Grants. About 68.8% of students here receive Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 90.0%, which is above the Iowa state average of 63.6%, according to federal data.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Median debt of graduates is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school at (515) 576-3119 or check the College Scorecard link for updates.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings for graduates 10 years after entry are reported at $26,679, per federal Scorecard data.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
The reported annual cost of attendance is $20,989.
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 structure and financial aid options compared to public or non-profit institutions.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program lengths are not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school directly at (515) 576-3119 or via https://ljic.edu/ for schedule details.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation through the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences and review outcome data at the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?153782.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The data does not specify program schedules or format, so fit for adult career changers cannot be confirmed from federal data alone; contact the school to discuss options.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing requirements are not reported in this data; contact the school or Iowa's cosmetology licensing board to confirm requirements for esthetician, cosmetology, or nail technician careers.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach La James International College-Ft Dodge by phone at (515) 576-3119 or visit their website at https://ljic.edu/.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data with other nearby schools is not included in this listing; the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?153782 can be used to compare similar programs.
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.