Career Training Path › Pennsylvania › The Salon Professional Academy-Altoona
The Salon Professional Academy-Altoona
Altoona, Pennsylvania · Private for-profit career school · Training programs available:
Address: 415 D Orchard Avenue, Altoona, PA 16601 · Phone: (814) 944-4494 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
The Salon Professional Academy-Altoona is a private for-profit trade school in Altoona, Pennsylvania offering cosmetology and esthetician programs, accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences.
Per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, this campus has a 90.9% completion rate versus a 66.2% state average, with median graduate debt of $6,333 and median earnings of $20,809 ten years after entry.
Annual cost of attendance at The Salon Professional Academy-Altoona is $21,441, federal financial aid including FAFSA and Pell Grants can be used here, and 42.0% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists | $23,700 | $36,790 | $55,360 |
| Skincare specialists | $22,870 | $43,620 | $58,970 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in Pennsylvania (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 | 44 | $18,382 | $15,552 | $8,028 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 6 | $18,382 | $15,552 | $8,028 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 1 | $18,382 | $15,552 | $8,028 |
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
The Salon Professional Academy-Altoona is a private for-profit trade school located in Altoona, Pennsylvania, a small suburb setting. The campus is accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences, and federal financial aid through Title IV programs (including FAFSA and Pell Grants) can be used here. The school's main offerings are cosmetology programs (45 completers) and esthetician programs (6 completers), making up its three total program offerings.
Federal data shows a completion rate of 90.9%, which is above the Pennsylvania state average of 66.2%. Graduates carry a median debt of $6,333, and median earnings 10 years after entry are reported at $20,809. The annual cost of attendance is $21,441, and 42.0% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a substantial share of low-income students attend this campus.
This school suits students seeking short, focused training in cosmetology or esthetics rather than a multi-year associate degree, based on the program families offered. The high completion rate relative to the state average may appeal to career changers looking for a structured path into the beauty industry, though program length and schedule details are not reported for this campus in federal data and should be confirmed directly with the school. Prospective students can verify accreditation status and outcomes through the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences and the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
The Salon Professional Academy-Altoona offers cosmetology and esthetician programs, with cosmetology (45 completers) and esthetician (6 completers) being the top programs among its three total offerings.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, the school 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 programs, so students can use FAFSA and Pell Grants here.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 90.9%, which is above the Pennsylvania state average of 66.2%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Median debt for graduates is $6,333, according to federal data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are $20,809, per federal data.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
The annual cost of attendance is $21,441.
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 the types of financial aid or protections available 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 (814) 944-4494 or visit https://www.tspaaltoona.com/ 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 federal outcome data at the College Scorecard: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?215530.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The school's focus on cosmetology and esthetician programs, along with a completion rate above the state average, may suit those seeking a shorter, focused career path, though specific adult-learner accommodations are not reported in federal data.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing requirements for cosmetology and esthetics vary by state; this information is not reported in federal data, so contact the school directly for guidance on required licensing exams.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach The Salon Professional Academy-Altoona by phone at (814) 944-4494 or through its website at https://www.tspaaltoona.com/.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data on nearby schools is not reported in this dataset; consult the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?215530 to compare similar programs.
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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.