Career Training Path › California › Paul Mitchell the School-San Diego
Paul Mitchell the School-San Diego
San Diego, California · Private for-profit career school · Training programs available:
Address: 410 A Street, San Diego, CA 92101 · Phone: (619) 398-1590 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Paul Mitchell the School-San Diego is a private for-profit trade school in San Diego, CA offering cosmetology, esthetician, and barber programs, accredited by NACCAS.
Paul Mitchell the School-San Diego has a 99.2% completion rate, above the state average of 64.2%, with median graduate debt of $13,000 and median earnings of $26,897 ten years after entry, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Annual cost of attendance at Paul Mitchell the School-San Diego is $37,754, federal financial aid can be used since the school participates in Title IV, and 28.0% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists | $35,360 | $38,660 | $49,030 |
| Skincare specialists | $34,650 | $38,770 | $54,110 |
| Barbers | $35,900 | $38,380 | $44,790 |
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, 1–2 years | 75 | $17,801 | $17,932 | $7,232 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 49 | $17,801 | $17,932 | $7,232 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 16 | $17,801 | $17,932 | $7,232 |
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-San Diego is a private for-profit trade school located in San Diego, California. It is accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences, and students can use federal financial aid (Title IV) to help pay for their education here. The school's most-awarded programs are cosmetology (75 completers), esthetician training (49 completers), and barbering (16 completers).
Federal data shows a completion rate of 99.2%, well above the California state average of 64.2%. Graduates carry a median debt of $13,000, and median earnings 10 years after entry are reported at $26,897. Annual cost of attendance is listed at $37,754, and 28.0% of students receive Pell Grants. Program length and scheduling details are not reported for this campus in federal data.
This campus centers on hands-on, licensure-focused training in cosmetology, esthetics, and barbering rather than longer associate-degree programs, which may suit students seeking a direct path into a licensed trade, including adult career changers, though the school should be contacted directly to confirm program length and format for adult learners. Prospective students should verify accreditation status directly with the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences and review official outcome figures on the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard before enrolling. Contacting the school directly can clarify current tuition, scheduling, and licensing exam requirements not captured in this federal dataset.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Paul Mitchell the School-San Diego offers cosmetology, esthetician, and barber programs. Cosmetology has the most completers (75), followed by esthetics (49) and barbering (16).
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, it 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 participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, and 28.0% 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 99.2%, which is above the California state average of 64.2%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates carry a median debt of $13,000, according to federal data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are reported at $26,897.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
The reported annual cost of attendance is $37,754.
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 costs and financial aid options compared to public or non-profit institutions.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program length is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school at (619) 398-1590 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 official outcomes on the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?449968.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The school's focus on licensure-track cosmetology, esthetics, and barbering programs may suit career changers seeking direct entry into a licensed trade, though specific scheduling for adult learners is not reported in federal data.
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 licensing exams for cosmetology, esthetics, or barbering.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Paul Mitchell the School-San Diego at (619) 398-1590 or through its website, https://paulmitchell.edu/sandiego.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data on other nearby schools is not reported for this campus in federal data; check the College Scorecard for comparisons.
Other trade and career schools in San Diego, CA
- San Diego City CollegeSan Diego, CA · 30% completion
- Associated Barber College of San DiegoSan Diego, CA · 81% completion
- California Barber and Beauty CollegeSan Diego, CA · 59% completion
- Riggins Urban Barber CollegeSan Diego, CA · 42% completion
- AAA Beauty CollegeSan Diego, CA · state-licensed school
- American Beauty Institute LLCSan Diego, CA · state-licensed school
- California Barber & Beauty CollegeSan Diego, CA · state-licensed school
- California Beauty CollegeSan Diego, 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.