Career Training Path › California › Palomar Institute of Cosmetology
Palomar Institute of Cosmetology
San Marcos, California · Private for-profit career college · Training programs available:
Address: 355 Via Vera Cruz #3, San Marcos, CA 92078 · Phone: 7607447900113 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Palomar Institute of Cosmetology is a private for-profit trade school in San Marcos, California, offering esthetician, cosmetology, and nail technician programs, accredited by NACCAS.
Per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, Palomar Institute of Cosmetology has an 89.1% completion rate versus a 64.2% state average, with median graduate debt of $6,333 and median earnings of $23,451 ten years after entry.
Annual cost of attendance at Palomar Institute of Cosmetology is $32,292, federal financial aid including Pell Grants can be used, and 33.1% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skincare specialists | $34,650 | $38,770 | $54,110 |
| Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists | $35,360 | $38,660 | $49,030 |
| Manicurists and pedicurists | $34,840 | $36,630 | $39,590 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in California (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 | 107 | $19,323 | $18,555 | $6,333 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 71 | $19,323 | $18,555 | $6,333 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 53 | $19,323 | $18,555 | $6,333 |
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
Palomar Institute of Cosmetology is a private for-profit trade school in San Marcos, California, accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences. Because it participates in Title IV federal aid programs, students can use FAFSA-based financial aid, including Pell Grants, to help pay for enrollment. The campus's most-awarded programs are esthetician schools, cosmetology schools, and nail technician schools, reflecting a focus on personal-care trades.
Federal data shows a completion rate of 89.1%, above the state average of 64.2% for similar programs. Graduates carry a median debt of $6,333, and median earnings ten years after entry are reported at $23,451. The annual cost of attendance is listed at $32,292, and 33.1% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a meaningful share of low-income enrollment. Program length details are not reported for this campus in federal data.
Given the program mix — esthetician, cosmetology, and nail technician training — this campus fits students seeking licensure-track programs in personal-care trades rather than multi-year associate degrees. Whether the school suits an adult career-changer depends on schedule and format details not present in this data; contact the school directly to confirm. Prospective students should verify accreditation status directly with NACCAS and review current outcomes on the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard before enrolling, since costs and figures can change from year to year.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Palomar Institute of Cosmetology offers esthetician schools, cosmetology schools, and nail technician schools, with esthetician being the largest program by completions.
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, so students can apply for FAFSA-based aid including Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 89.1%, which is above the state average of 64.2% for comparable programs.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates carry a median debt of $6,333, according to federal data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings ten years after entry are reported at $23,451.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
The annual cost of attendance is $32,292 per federal data.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
This is a private for-profit school, which typically means it operates for shareholder or owner profit rather than being funded by government or non-profit tuition models; this can affect cost structure and institutional priorities.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program length is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school at 7607447900113 or via pic.edu to confirm.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation status with NACCAS directly and review official outcome data on the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?365125.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The program mix — esthetician, cosmetology, and nail technician training — suggests licensure-focused, career-entry programs, but specific scheduling or format details for adult learners are not reported in this data; contact the school to confirm fit.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing requirements are not specified in this data; contact the school directly or check California's state licensing board for cosmetology, esthetics, and nail technology requirements.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Palomar Institute of Cosmetology by phone at 7607447900113 or visit their website at https://pic.edu/ for application details.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data on nearby schools is not included here; use the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?365125 to compare completion rates, costs, and earnings across similar programs.
Other trade and career schools in San Marcos, CA
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- Bellus Academy-PowayPoway, CA · 73% completion
- Bellus Academy-El CajonEl Cajon, CA · 72% completion
- Southern California College of Barber and BeautyEscondido, CA · 80% completion
- Bellus AcademyEl Cajon, CA · state-licensed school
See all trade and career schools in California 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.