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La James International College-Johnston
Johnston, Iowa · Private for-profit career college
Address: 8805 Chambery Blvd, Johnston, IA 50131 · Phone: (515) 278-2208 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
Sanction on record, not yet lifted — Nov 2024 · Probation · National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences. 3 sanction actions in the window.
La James International College-Johnston is a private for-profit trade school in Johnston, Iowa, offering esthetician, nail technician, and cosmetology programs, accredited by NACCAS.
La James International College-Johnston has an 88.0% completion rate, above Iowa's 63.6% average, and median earnings of $27,401 ten years after entry, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Median graduate debt is not reported for this campus.
Annual cost of attendance at La James International College-Johnston is $23,030, federal financial aid can be used here, and 61.0% 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 | 28 | $21,521 | $21,052 | $6,857 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 23 | $21,521 | $21,052 | $6,857 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 2–4 years | 11 | $21,521 | $21,052 | $6,857 |
| Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 2 | not reported | $20,001 | 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-Johnston is a private for-profit trade school located in Johnston, Iowa, in a large suburb near Des Moines. It is accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences, and federal financial aid (Title IV) can be used here. The campus offers four program families, with the most-completed programs being esthetician schools, nail technician schools, and cosmetology schools.
Federal data shows a completion rate of 88.0%, well above the Iowa state average of 63.6%. Median earnings 10 years after entry are reported at $27,401. Annual cost of attendance is listed at $23,030, and 61.0% of students receive Pell Grants. Median debt of graduates is not reported for this campus in federal data.
Given its focus on esthetics, nail technology, and cosmetology, this campus fits students seeking shorter, hands-on personal-care training rather than multi-year associate degree programs. The setting and program mix may suit adult career-changers looking for a defined, licensure-oriented path, though specific schedule lengths are not reported for this campus in federal data. Prospective students should confirm accreditation status directly and review the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard for the most current completion, cost, and earnings figures before enrolling. Contacting the school directly by phone or through its website can clarify program length, start dates, and licensing requirements not covered in federal reporting.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
La James International College-Johnston offers esthetician, nail technician, and cosmetology programs, along with massage therapy training, across four program families.
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, and 61.0% of its students receive Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 88.0%, which is above the Iowa state average of 63.6%.
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) 278-2208 or check the College Scorecard for updates.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are reported at $27,401.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
The reported annual cost of attendance is $23,030.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
This is a private for-profit school, which can mean different pricing and financial aid dynamics than public or non-profit institutions; verifying accreditation and outcomes is especially important.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program length is not reported for this campus in federal 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 NACCAS and review official outcome data on the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?153764.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The school's focus on esthetics, nail technology, and cosmetology may suit career-changers seeking hands-on personal-care training, though specific fit factors like schedule flexibility are not reported in federal data.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensure requirements vary by program and state; this information is not reported in federal data, so contact the school or Iowa's licensing board to confirm requirements.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach La James International College-Johnston at (515) 278-2208 or visit https://ljic.edu/ for application details.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Direct comparisons with nearby schools are not reported in federal data; use the College Scorecard link to compare completion rates, costs, and earnings across institutions.
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.