Career Training Path › Minnesota › Nova Academy of Cosmetology
Nova Academy of Cosmetology
Rochester, Minnesota · Private for-profit career school · Training programs available:
Address: 5979 Bandel Road, Rochester, MN 55901 · Phone: (507) 280-6910 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
Sanction on record, since lifted — Apr 2024 · Monitoring · National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences; Apr 2026 · Renewal of Accreditation.
Nova Academy of Cosmetology is a private for-profit trade school in Rochester, Minnesota, offering cosmetology, nail technician, and esthetician programs, accredited by NACCAS.
Per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, 76.5% of students complete their program versus a 48.2% state average, with median graduate debt of $9,424 and median earnings of $32,156 ten years after entry.
Annual cost of attendance at Nova Academy of Cosmetology is $25,227, federal financial aid can be used since the school is Title IV eligible, and 35.2% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists | $23,590 | $39,170 | $59,300 |
| Manicurists and pedicurists | $27,550 | $36,040 | $44,840 |
| Skincare specialists | $23,990 | $44,430 | $62,530 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in Minnesota (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 | 48 | $23,604 | $21,356 | $8,467 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 38 | $23,604 | $21,356 | $8,467 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 18 | $23,604 | $21,356 | $8,467 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 17 | $23,604 | $21,356 | $8,467 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, under 300 hours | 11 | $23,604 | $21,356 | $8,467 |
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
Nova Academy of Cosmetology is a private for-profit trade school in Rochester, Minnesota, accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences. Federal financial aid, including FAFSA and Pell Grants, can be used here (Title IV eligible). The school awards the most credentials in cosmetology, with additional programs in nail technology and esthetics, totaling five program offerings.
According to federal Scorecard data, 76.5% of students complete their program, above the Minnesota state average of 48.2%. Graduates carry a median debt of $9,424, and median earnings 10 years after entry are $32,156. Annual cost of attendance is listed at $25,227, and 35.2% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a meaningful share of lower-income enrollees.
This campus, located in a midsize city, may suit students seeking hands-on cosmetology, nail technician, or esthetician training rather than a multi-year associate degree, though specific program lengths are not reported for this campus in federal data. Career changers should confirm schedule and format directly with the school. To verify these figures independently, check the accreditor status or the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard listing for this institution.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Nova Academy of Cosmetology offers cosmetology, nail technician, and esthetician programs, with cosmetology being the largest by completions. In total the school has five program 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 is Title IV eligible, meaning students can use FAFSA and Pell Grant funding 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 Minnesota state average of 48.2%, per federal Scorecard data.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Median debt for graduates is $9,424, according to College Scorecard data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are $32,156, per federal data.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
The annual cost of attendance is reported as $25,227.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
Nova Academy of Cosmetology is a private for-profit institution, which can affect tuition pricing and typically operates under different funding rules than public schools.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program lengths are not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school at (507) 280-6910 or visit its website to confirm.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation through NACCAS or view detailed outcomes on the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard at the school's listed URL.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The school offers focused programs in cosmetology, nail technology, and esthetics, which may suit career changers seeking hands-on training, though specific fit depends on schedule details not reported in federal data.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing requirements are not reported in federal data; contact the school directly to confirm state licensing steps for cosmetology, nail technology, or esthetics.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Nova Academy of Cosmetology by phone at (507) 280-6910 or through its website, https://www.novaacademy.edu/.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data with nearby schools is not reported in federal data; the College Scorecard link can be used to look up nearby institutions for comparison.
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See all trade and career schools in Minnesota 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.