Career Training Path › Michigan › Protege Academy
Protege Academy
Mt. Pleasant, Michigan · Private for-profit career school · Training programs available:
Address: 4884 E Pickard St, Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858 · 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 Mt. Pleasant, Michigan offering cosmetology programs, accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences.
Protege Academy has a 60.0% completion rate, near the 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 $15,988, federal financial aid including FAFSA and Pell Grants can be used, and 57.1% 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 |
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 | 16 | $19,064 | $15,922 | $9,833 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 3 | $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 Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, located in a distant town locale. 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 enrolls 44 undergraduate students and awards two program families, with cosmetology schools being its top program area, accounting for 19 completers.
Federal data shows a completion rate of 60.0%, which is near the state average of 56.9% for similar programs. Graduates carry a median debt of $9,833, and median earnings 10 years after entry are reported at $19,499. The annual cost of attendance is $15,988, and 57.1% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a significant share of students from lower-income backgrounds.
This school may suit students interested in a focused cosmetology program rather than a multi-year degree track, though program length itself is not reported here. Adults considering a career change should verify accreditation status and outcomes directly through the NACCAS and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard before enrolling. Prospective students can also contact the school directly by phone or through its website for details on scheduling, tuition adjustments, or licensing requirements not captured in federal reporting.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Protege Academy offers cosmetology programs, with 19 completers reported in that field out of two total program families.
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 school participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so FAFSA and 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 60.0%, which is near the Michigan state average of 56.9% for comparable programs.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Median debt among graduates is $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 $15,988.
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 rates, financial aid options, and institutional accountability 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 directly to confirm scheduling 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 federal outcome data via the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard at the provided link.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The cosmetology program's short, focused nature may appeal to career changers, but specific scheduling or format details are not reported in federal data.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing requirements are not reported in federal data; contact the school directly for specifics related to cosmetology licensing in Michigan.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Protege Academy by phone at (517) 324-3388 or visit their website at https://www.protegeacademy.com/ for application details.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data with nearby schools is not reported in federal data; consult the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?487083 for similar institutions.
Nearby trade and career schools in Michigan
- Douglas J Aveda InstituteEast Lansing, MI · 83% completion
- Protege AcademyEast Lansing, MI · 78% completion
- M J Murphy Beauty College of Mount PleasantMount Pleasant, MI · 93% completion
- Baker CollegeOwosso, MI · college
- School of Missionary Aviation TechnologyIonia, MI · 94% completion
- Michigan State UniversityEast Lansing, MI · university
- 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.