Career Training Path › Michigan › Protege Academy
Protege Academy
East Lansing, Michigan · Private for-profit career school · Training programs available:
Address: 4960 Northwind Dr., East Lansing, MI 48823 · Phone: (517) 324-3388 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Protege Academy is a private for-profit trade school in East Lansing, Michigan offering cosmetology and nail technician programs, accredited by NACCAS.
Protege Academy's completion rate is 77.8%, above the Michigan state average of 56.9%, with median graduate debt of $9,833 and median earnings of $19,499 ten years after entry, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Annual cost of attendance at Protege Academy is $16,164, federal financial aid including FAFSA and Pell Grants can be used, and 62.1% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists | $25,960 | $34,820 | $60,590 |
| Manicurists and pedicurists | $27,740 | $36,890 | $59,210 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in Michigan (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 | 27 | $19,064 | $15,922 | $9,833 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 18 | $19,064 | $15,922 | $9,833 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 2 | $19,064 | $15,922 | $9,833 |
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
Protege Academy is a private for-profit trade school in East Lansing, Michigan. It is accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences, and students can use federal financial aid, including FAFSA and Pell Grants, to help pay for enrollment. The campus's top programs are cosmetology schools and nail technician schools, with 3 total program offerings drawing 47 recent trade completers among an undergraduate enrollment of 72.
Federal data shows Protege Academy's completion rate at 77.8%, which is above the Michigan state average of 56.9%. Graduates carry a median debt of $9,833, and median earnings 10 years after entry are reported at $19,499. Annual cost of attendance is listed at $16,164, and 62.1% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a large share of the student body qualifies for need-based federal aid.
Given its focus on cosmetology and nail technology, this campus fits students seeking shorter, hands-on career-training programs rather than multi-year associate degrees, including adults changing careers into personal care services, though specific program lengths are not reported for this campus in federal data. Prospective students should verify current 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 latest outcome figures before enrolling.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Protege Academy offers 3 programs, with cosmetology schools and nail technician schools as its top programs, enrolling 29 and 18 students respectively.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, Protege Academy 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 campus participates in Title IV federal financial aid, so students can use FAFSA and Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 77.8%, which is above the Michigan state average of 56.9%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates carry a median debt of $9,833 according to federal data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are reported at $19,499.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
The annual cost of attendance is $16,164.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
Protege Academy is a private for-profit school, which can affect tuition levels and typically requires closer attention to program cost and outcomes compared with 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 directly at (517) 324-3388 or via 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 official outcome data on the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?461944.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The campus offers focused cosmetology and nail technician training, which suits students seeking shorter, hands-on career-training programs, though specific fit details for adult career changers 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 or check Michigan state licensing boards for cosmetology and nail technician requirements.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Protege Academy at (517) 324-3388 or visit https://www.protegeacademy.com/ for application information.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data with nearby schools is not reported in federal data; check the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?461944 to compare completion rates, debt, and earnings across schools.
Nearby trade and career schools in Michigan
- Douglas J Aveda InstituteEast Lansing, MI · 83% completion
- Michigan State UniversityEast Lansing, MI · university
- M J Murphy Beauty College of Mount PleasantMount Pleasant, MI · 93% completion
- Protege AcademyMt. Pleasant, MI · 60% completion
- Baker CollegeOwosso, MI · college
- School of Missionary Aviation TechnologyIonia, MI · 94% completion
- Montcalm Community CollegeSidney, MI · 31% completion
- Humphrey's Driver Training and TestingOwosso, MI
See all trade and career schools in Michigan 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.