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ZMS The Academy
Los Angeles, California · Private for-profit career school · Training programs available:
Address: 2228 E Cesar E Chavez Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90033 · Phone: (323) 372-6132 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
ZMS The Academy is a private for-profit trade school in Los Angeles, CA offering esthetician, barber, and nail technician programs, accredited by the Council on Occupational Education.
ZMS The Academy has a 40.5% completion rate, below the state average of 64.2%, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Median debt and earnings figures are not reported for this campus.
Annual cost of attendance at ZMS The Academy is $13,346, and the school participates in federal Title IV aid, with 10.1% of students receiving 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 |
| Barbers | $35,900 | $38,380 | $44,790 |
| Manicurists and pedicurists | $34,840 | $36,630 | $39,590 |
| Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists | $35,360 | $38,660 | $49,030 |
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 | 102 | $16,113 | $13,085 | $5,500 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 47 | $16,113 | $13,085 | $5,500 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 23 | $16,113 | $13,085 | $5,500 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 14 | $16,113 | $13,085 | $5,500 |
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
ZMS The Academy is a private for-profit trade school located in Los Angeles, California. It is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education and is approved for federal financial aid (Title IV), meaning students may use FAFSA and Pell Grants to help cover costs. The campus awards credentials most often in esthetician schools, barber schools, and nail technician schools, with cosmetology also offered among its four program families.
Federal data shows a completion rate of 40.5%, which is below the state average of 64.2%. Median debt of graduates and median earnings 10 years after entry are not reported for this campus in federal data. Annual cost of attendance is listed at $13,346, and 10.1% of students receive Pell Grants, an indicator of lower-income enrollment relative to some other schools.
This campus, with 144 undergraduate students and 186 trade completers reported, centers on shorter, hands-on personal-care programs rather than multi-year associate degrees, which may suit students seeking a faster entry into a licensed trade. Career changers should weigh the below-average completion rate alongside their own circumstances. Anyone considering enrollment should independently verify accreditation status with the Council on Occupational Education and review current outcomes on the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard before committing.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
ZMS The Academy offers esthetician, barber, nail technician, and cosmetology programs, with esthetician training being the largest by enrollment.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, ZMS The Academy is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education, and its accreditation status is listed as accredited.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, the school participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so students may 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 40.5%, which is below the California state average of 64.2%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Median graduate debt is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school directly for details.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are not reported for this campus in federal data.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
The reported annual cost of attendance is $13,346.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
ZMS The Academy is a private for-profit school, which can affect tuition levels and eligibility for certain aid or transfer arrangements compared to public institutions.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Specific program lengths are not reported in this data; contact the school at (323) 372-6132 or visit its website for schedule details.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can confirm accreditation through the Council on Occupational Education and review official outcome data on the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?486248.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The school's programs are in shorter, hands-on personal-care trades rather than long degree programs, which may appeal to career changers, though the below-average completion rate is worth considering.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Specific licensing requirements are not detailed in this data; contact the school or California's licensing board for the esthetician, barber, or nail technician trades.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach ZMS The Academy at (323) 372-6132 or through its website, https://www.zmsacademy.com/.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data with nearby schools is not included here; use the College Scorecard link to compare completion rates, costs, and other metrics across schools.
Other trade and career schools in Los Angeles, CA
- Los Angeles Trade Technical CollegeLos Angeles, CA · 35% completion
- Los Angeles College of AestheticsLos Angeles, CA · 85% completion
- International College of Beauty Arts & SciencesLos Angeles, CA · 88% completion
- International School of CosmetologyLos Angeles, CA · career school
- KC Beauty AcademyLos Angeles, CA · 90% completion
- Universal College of Beauty Inc-Los Angeles 2Los Angeles, CA · 100% completion
- Borner's Barber CollegeLos Angeles, CA · 78% completion
- Abram Friedman Occupational Center, Los Angeles Unified School DistricLos Angeles, CA · state-licensed school
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.