Career Training Path › South Carolina › Paul Mitchell the School-Columbia
Paul Mitchell the School-Columbia
West Columbia, South Carolina · Private for-profit career school · Training programs available:
Address: 1008 Meeting St, West Columbia, SC 29169 · Phone: (803) 772-2232 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Paul Mitchell the School-Columbia is a private for-profit trade school in West Columbia, SC offering cosmetology, barber, and nail technician programs, accredited by NACCAS.
Paul Mitchell the School-Columbia has a 68.8% completion rate, above the SC state average of 52.0%, with median graduate debt of $11,740 and median earnings of $26,696 ten years after entry, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Annual cost of attendance at Paul Mitchell the School-Columbia is $23,181, federal financial aid including FAFSA and Pell Grants can be used, and 57.6% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists | $21,340 | $33,700 | $56,770 |
| Barbers | $23,240 | $32,900 | $61,770 |
| Manicurists and pedicurists | $18,450 | $33,810 | $43,260 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in South Carolina (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 | 97 | $17,189 | $16,657 | $10,564 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 31 | $17,189 | $16,657 | $10,564 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 4 | $17,189 | $16,657 | $10,564 |
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-Columbia is a private for-profit trade school in West Columbia, South Carolina, accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences. It participates in federal Title IV financial aid, meaning students can use FAFSA-based aid, including Pell Grants, to help pay for their training. The campus focuses on three program families: cosmetology, barbering, and nail technician training, with cosmetology programs graduating the most students among the school's completers.
Federal data shows a completion rate of 68.8%, above the South Carolina state average of 52.0%. Graduates carry a median debt of $11,740, and median earnings ten years after entry are reported at $26,696. Annual cost of attendance is listed at $23,181, and 57.6% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a substantial share of the student body qualifies for need-based federal aid.
This campus suits students seeking hands-on, licensure-focused training in cosmetology, barbering, or nail technology rather than a multi-year academic degree. The program mix and cost structure may appeal to career changers looking for a defined credentialing path, though specific program lengths and schedules are not reported for this campus in federal data. Prospective students should confirm current accreditation status directly with the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences and review the school's full outcomes on the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard before enrolling.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Paul Mitchell the School-Columbia offers cosmetology, barber, and nail technician programs. Cosmetology is the largest program by completers, followed by barbering and nail technology.
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 FAFSA-based aid including Pell Grants can be used.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 68.8%, which is above the South Carolina state average of 52.0%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates carry a median debt of $11,740, according to federal data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings ten years after entry are reported at $26,696.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
The annual cost of attendance is reported as $23,181.
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 pricing, financial aid eligibility, and institutional funding compared to public or non-profit schools.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program length is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school at (803) 772-2232 or visit its website for 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 outcomes on the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?467863.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The school's focus on licensure-based cosmetology, barbering, and nail technician training may suit career changers, though specific scheduling or adult-learner accommodations are not reported in federal data.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Specific licensing requirements are not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school directly at (803) 772-2232 for program-specific licensure information.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can contact Paul Mitchell the School-Columbia at (803) 772-2232 or visit https://paulmitchell.edu/columbia for application details.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data with other nearby schools is not reported for this campus in federal data; consult the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?467863 to compare institutions.
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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.