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Total Image Beauty Academy
Union City, New Jersey · Private for-profit career school · Training programs available:
Address: 3900 Bergenline ave 2nd Floor, Union City, NJ 07087 · Phone: (201) 766-2355 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Total Image Beauty Academy is a private for-profit trade school in Union City, New Jersey offering nail technician, cosmetology, and esthetician programs, accredited by NACCAS.
Total Image Beauty Academy reports a 98.6% completion rate versus a 61.9% state average, $8,500 median graduate debt, and $18,720 median earnings 10 years after entry, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Annual cost of attendance at Total Image Beauty Academy is reported at $19,515, federal financial aid including FAFSA and Pell Grants can be used, and 42.2% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manicurists and pedicurists | $32,220 | $36,370 | $37,260 |
| Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists | $32,220 | $36,150 | $53,580 |
| Skincare specialists | $35,180 | $45,870 | $50,750 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in New Jersey (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 | 212 | $14,089 | not reported | $8,500 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 108 | $14,089 | not reported | $8,500 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 31 | $14,089 | not reported | $8,500 |
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
Total Image Beauty Academy is a private for-profit trade school in Union City, New Jersey, accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences. It participates in federal Title IV financial aid programs, meaning students can use FAFSA and Pell Grants toward enrollment. The campus offers programs in three trade fields, most often awarding credentials in nail technician training, cosmetology, and esthetics, with nail technician programs accounting for the largest number of completers.
Federal data show a completion rate of 98.6%, well above the state average of 61.9%. Graduates carry a median debt of $8,500, and median earnings 10 years after entry are reported at $18,720. Annual cost of attendance is listed at $19,515, and 42.2% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a substantial share of the student body qualifies for need-based aid. Enrollment is small, with 204 undergraduates and 351 trade completers reported.
This campus fits students seeking short, hands-on training in beauty and personal care trades rather than a multi-year associate degree path; its program mix and completion pattern suggest it is oriented toward focused, single-field certification rather than broad academic study. Career changers considering a shift into nail technology, cosmetology, or esthetics may want to confirm current program lengths and schedules directly with the school. To verify accreditation status and review the latest federal outcome figures, contact the school by phone or check the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard listing for this campus.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Total Image Beauty Academy offers programs in nail technician training, cosmetology, and esthetics. Nail technician training has the largest number of completers among the three programs.
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.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 98.6%, which is above the New Jersey state average of 61.9%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates carry a median debt of $8,500, per federal data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are reported at $18,720.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
The reported annual cost of attendance is $19,515.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
Total Image Beauty Academy is a private for-profit school. This affects tuition structure and how federal aid rules apply compared to public or non-profit institutions.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program lengths are not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school directly by phone or website to confirm current program durations.
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 federal outcome data via the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard at the school's listing page.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The school's short, single-field programs in nail technology, cosmetology, and esthetics may suit career changers seeking focused vocational training, though specific scheduling and adult-learner accommodations are 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 confirm state licensing steps for nail technology, cosmetology, or esthetics.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Total Image Beauty Academy by phone at (201) 766-2355 or visit its website at https://www.tiba.edu/.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data against nearby schools is not reported for this campus in federal data; the College Scorecard link can be used to look up other institutions in the area for comparison.
Nearby trade and career schools in New Jersey
- Ideal Driving School, IncUnion City, NJ
- Christine Valmy International School of Esthetics & CosmetologyPine Brook, NJ · 80% completion
- Robert Fiance Beauty Schools-West New YorkWest New York, NJ · 67% completion
- Innovate Salon AcademySouth Plainfield, NJ · 94% completion
- Robert Fiance Beauty Schools-North PlainfieldNorth Plainfield, NJ · 67% completion
- Empire Beauty School-UnionUnion, NJ · 44% completion
- Empire Beauty School-BloomfieldBloomfield, NJ · 37% completion
- Union County Vocational Technical SchoolScotch Plains, NJ · 99% completion
See all trade and career schools in New Jersey 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.