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Paul Mitchell the School-Chicago
Chicago, Illinois · Private for-profit career school · Training programs available:
Address: 1225 S Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60607 · Phone: (312) 733-9285 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
Sanction on record, since lifted — Mar 2026 · Probation · National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences; May 2026 · Renewal of Accreditation. 2 sanction actions in the window.
Paul Mitchell the School-Chicago is a private for-profit trade school in Chicago, Illinois offering cosmetology programs, accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences.
Per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, this campus has a 60.0% completion rate versus a 58.4% state average, with median graduate debt of $13,598 and median earnings of $27,652 ten years after entry.
Annual cost of attendance at Paul Mitchell the School-Chicago is reported at $29,477, federal financial aid is accepted, and 61.5% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists | $31,200 | $34,040 | $41,110 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in Illinois (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 | 102 | $17,977 | $18,345 | $12,513 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 1 | $17,977 | $18,345 | $12,513 |
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
Paul Mitchell the School-Chicago is a private for-profit trade school located in Chicago, Illinois. It 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. The campus concentrates on cosmetology training, with cosmetology schools programs (103 completers) making up its primary offering, drawn from two program families in total.
Federal data shows a completion rate of 60.0%, which is near the Illinois state average of 58.4%. Graduates carry a median debt of $13,598, and median earnings ten years after entry are $27,652. Annual cost of attendance is reported at $29,477, and 61.5% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a substantial share of the student body comes from lower-income backgrounds. Undergraduate enrollment stands at 160 students.
This campus may suit students seeking a focused, single-field program in cosmetology rather than a multi-discipline associate degree path; whether it fits an adult career changer depends on program length and schedule details not reported for this campus in federal data. Prospective students should verify accreditation status directly with the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences and review the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard for the most current completion, debt, and earnings figures before enrolling. Contact the school directly for tuition payment plans, start dates, and program length, since those specifics are not reported for this campus in federal data.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
This campus offers cosmetology schools programs, which account for 103 completers, drawn from two program families total.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, it is accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences, and its status is listed as accredited.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this campus participates in Title IV federal aid programs, so 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 60.0%, which is near the Illinois state average of 58.4%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates carry a median debt of $13,598, per federal data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings ten years after entry are $27,652.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
The reported annual cost of attendance is $29,477.
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 levels and financial aid options compared to public institutions; students should verify cost details directly with the school.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program length is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school at (312) 733-9285 or visit its website for schedule details.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can confirm accreditation with the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences and review outcomes on the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?458274.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The data shows a focused cosmetology program with 160 undergraduate students, but specific scheduling or format for career changers is not reported in federal data; contact the school to ask directly.
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 directly to learn about state cosmetology licensing steps.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach the school by phone at (312) 733-9285 or visit https://paulmitchell.edu/chicago for application information.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data with other nearby cosmetology schools is not reported for this campus in federal data; check the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?458274 to compare schools directly.
Other trade and career schools in Chicago, IL
- Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Chicago NWChicago, IL · 0.0% completion
- City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman CollegeChicago, IL · 32% completion
- Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Chicago NEChicago, IL · 53% completion
- Aveda Institute-ChicagoChicago, IL · 78% completion
- Larry's Barber CollegeChicago, IL · 63% completion
- Cannella School of Hair Design-ChicagoChicago, IL · 53% completion
- Steven Papageorge Hair AcademyChicago, IL · 50% completion
- Cannella School of Hair DesignChicago, IL · career school
See all trade and career schools in Illinois 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.