Career Training Path › California › Sierra College of Beauty
Sierra College of Beauty
Merced, California · Private for-profit career college · Training programs available:
Address: 1340 W 18th St, Merced, CA 95340 · Phone: (209) 723-2989 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Sierra College of Beauty is a private for-profit trade school in Merced, California, offering esthetician, cosmetology, and nail technician programs, accredited by NACCAS.
Sierra College of Beauty has an 84.4% completion rate, above the state average of 64.2%, and median earnings 10 years after entry of $18,519, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Annual cost of attendance at Sierra College of Beauty is $13,463, federal financial aid is accepted, and about 76.7% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skincare specialists | $34,650 | $38,770 | $54,110 |
| Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists | $35,360 | $38,660 | $49,030 |
| Manicurists and pedicurists | $34,840 | $36,630 | $39,590 |
| 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, 300–899 hours | 39 | $12,416 | $14,730 | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 19 | $12,416 | $14,730 | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 13 | $12,416 | $14,730 | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 12 | $12,416 | $14,730 | not reported |
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
Sierra College of Beauty is a private for-profit trade school located in Merced, California, a small city setting. The school is accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences and participates in federal financial aid (Title IV), meaning students may use FAFSA, federal loans, and Pell Grants to help pay for their education. The campus offers four program families, with the largest enrollments in esthetician schools (39 students), cosmetology schools (19 students), and nail technician schools (13 students).
Federal data show a completion rate of 84.4%, which is above the state average of 64.2% for similar programs. Median earnings 10 years after entry are reported at $18,519. Annual cost of attendance is listed at $13,463. About 76.7% of students at this campus receive Pell Grants, indicating a large share of the student body qualifies for federal need-based aid. Median debt of graduates is not reported for this campus in federal data.
Given its focus on esthetician, cosmetology, nail technician, and barber programs, this campus may suit students seeking shorter, hands-on training in personal care trades rather than multi-year degree programs, though specific program lengths are not reported for this campus in federal data. Career changers and adults considering enrollment should independently verify accreditation status with NACCAS and review current outcome data through the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard before enrolling, as figures can change year to year.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Sierra College of Beauty offers esthetician schools, cosmetology schools, nail technician schools, and barber schools, with the largest enrollments in esthetician (39), cosmetology (19), and nail technician (13) programs.
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 students can use FAFSA-based aid including Pell Grants and federal loans.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 84.4%, which is above the California state average of 64.2% for similar programs.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Median debt of graduates is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school at (209) 723-2989 or check the College Scorecard for updates.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are reported at $18,519, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
The annual cost of attendance is listed at $13,463.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
Sierra College of Beauty is a private for-profit school, which can affect tuition costs, aid eligibility, and institutional accountability compared to public or non-profit 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 to confirm program duration.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation through NACCAS and review federal outcome data via the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?123350.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The school offers focused personal-care trade programs such as esthetician, cosmetology, and nail technology, which may appeal to career changers, though specific program lengths and schedules are not reported for this campus 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 at (209) 723-2989 or visit https://sierrabeautycollege.net/blog3/ for details.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Sierra College of Beauty at (209) 723-2989 or through its website at https://sierrabeautycollege.net/blog3/.
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/?123350 to compare similar institutions.
Other trade and career schools in Merced, CA
- Milan Institute-MercedMerced, CA · 55% completion
- Milan InstituteMerced, CA · state-licensed school
- Merced CollegeMerced, CA · 36% completion
- Advanced Career Institute Merced CaMerced, CA
- Merced Community CollegeMerced, CA
- Paul Mitchell the School-ModestoModesto, CA · 80% completion
- North Adrian's College of Beauty IncModesto, CA · 70% completion
- Adrian's Beauty College of TurlockTurlock, CA · career college
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.