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University of Spa & Cosmetology Arts

Springfield, Illinois · Private for-profit career school · Training programs available:

Cosmetology schoolsEsthetician schoolsNail technician schoolsBarber schoolsMassage therapy schools
64%completion rate · Illinois avg 58%
$4,584median debt of graduates
$24,853median earnings, 6 yrs after entry
$27,084median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
$21,024annual cost of attendance
Yesfederal aid (FAFSA / Pell) eligible
Accreditation: National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences (Accredited)
Address: 2913 W White Oaks Dr, Springfield, IL 62704 · Phone: (217) 753-8990 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
Accountability record (federal accreditation database, last 36 months; Department of Education oversight)
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Sanctions are probation, warning, show-cause and loss-of-accreditation actions by any recognized accreditor, including program-specific accreditors (a nursing-program probation counts for the campus). Routine monitoring reviews and voluntary withdrawals are not counted. Ask the school what the action concerned and how it was resolved.

University of Spa & Cosmetology Arts is a private for-profit trade school in Springfield, Illinois, offering cosmetology, esthetician, and nail technician programs, accredited by NACCAS.

Per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, this campus has a 63.6% completion rate, above the Illinois state average of 58.4%; median graduate debt is $4,584 and median earnings 10 years after entry are $27,084.

Annual cost of attendance at University of Spa & Cosmetology Arts is $21,024, federal financial aid including FAFSA and Pell Grants can be used, and 46.9% of students receive Pell Grants.

Completion rate vs. benchmarks
University of Spa & C… University of Spa & C…: 63.6% 63.6% Illinois average Illinois average: 58.4% 58.4% National average National average: 62.1% 62.1%

What these trades pay once you're working

OccupationStarting (10th pct)MedianExperienced (75th)
Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists$31,200$34,040$41,110
Skincare specialists$31,200$45,330$47,360
Manicurists and pedicurists$31,200$37,050$46,410
Barbers$31,460$65,430$71,930
Massage therapists$33,770$60,490$77,550

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in Illinois (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

ProgramCredentialGrads / yrEarnings, yr 1Earnings, yr 2Median debt
Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services Certificate, 1–2 years 36 $18,172 $16,443 $4,584
Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services Certificate, 300–899 hours 24 $18,172 $16,443 $4,584
Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services Certificate, 300–899 hours 20 $18,172 $16,443 $4,584
Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services Certificate, 1–2 years 8 $18,172 $16,443 $4,584
Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services Certificate, 300–899 hours 6 not reported not reported not reported
Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services Certificate, 300–899 hours 1 $18,172 $16,443 $4,584

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.

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About this school

University of Spa & Cosmetology Arts is a private for-profit trade school in Springfield, Illinois. It is accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences, and federal financial aid (Title IV, including FAFSA and Pell Grants) can be used here. The campus awards programs across six families, most commonly cosmetology schools, esthetician schools, and nail technician schools, with cosmetology being the largest by far.

Federal data shows a completion rate of 63.6%, which is above the Illinois state average of 58.4%. Graduates who took out loans carried a median debt of $4,584, and median earnings 10 years after entry were $27,084. Annual cost of attendance is listed at $21,024, and 46.9% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a substantial share of students from lower-income backgrounds. Program length details are not reported for this campus in federal data.

This campus may suit students pursuing focused, hands-on training in cosmetology, esthetics, nail technology, barbering, or massage therapy rather than a traditional multi-year degree path. Whether the shorter program formats fit an adult career-changer's schedule is not reported for this campus in federal data, so prospective students should contact the school directly. To verify accreditation status and review the latest federal outcome figures, check the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences directly.

Questions students ask

What trade and career programs does this campus offer?

This campus offers programs across six families, most notably cosmetology schools (37), esthetician schools (24), and nail technician schools (20), along with barber and massage therapy programs.

Is this school accredited, and by whom?

Yes, it 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 63.6%, which is above the Illinois state average of 58.4%, per federal data.

How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?

Graduates carry a median debt of $4,584, according to federal Scorecard data.

What do graduates of this school earn?

Median earnings 10 years after entry are $27,084, per the College Scorecard.

How much does it cost to attend for a year?

The annual cost of attendance is listed at $21,024.

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 cost, ownership structure, and how programs are funded 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 (217) 753-8990 or visit its website for current program schedules.

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 check federal outcome data on the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?149550.

Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?

Whether it fits an adult career-changer's schedule is not reported for this campus in federal data; the school's focused cosmetology, esthetics, and nail technology programs suggest hands-on, career-focused training, but you should contact the school directly to confirm scheduling and format.

How do I contact the school or apply?

You can reach University of Spa & Cosmetology Arts by phone at (217) 753-8990 or through its website at https://www.uscart.com/.

How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?

Comparative data on nearby schools is not reported for this campus in federal data; check the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?149550 to compare outcomes across schools.

Other trade and career schools in Springfield, IL

See all trade and career schools in Illinois 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.

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