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Paul Mitchell the School-Costa Mesa
Costa Mesa, California · Private for-profit career school
Address: 3309 Hyland Ave., Suite J, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 · Phone: (714) 546-8786 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Paul Mitchell the School-Costa Mesa is a private for-profit trade school in Costa Mesa, California, offering cosmetology, esthetician, and barber programs, accredited by NACCAS.
Per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, this campus has an 82.4% completion rate versus a 64.2% state average, with median graduate debt of $13,000 and median earnings of $26,897 ten years after entry.
Annual cost of attendance at Paul Mitchell the School-Costa Mesa is $25,691, federal financial aid can be used since the school participates in Title IV, and 40.5% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists | $35,360 | $38,660 | $49,030 |
| Skincare specialists | $34,650 | $38,770 | $54,110 |
| 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, 1–2 years | 151 | $17,801 | $17,932 | $7,232 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 129 | $17,801 | $17,932 | $7,232 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 51 | $17,801 | $17,932 | $7,232 |
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
Paul Mitchell the School-Costa Mesa is a private for-profit trade school located in Costa Mesa, California. It is accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences, and students here can use federal financial aid, since the school participates in Title IV programs. The campus's top programs are cosmetology, esthetician, and barber training, with cosmetology being the largest by completer count.
Federal data shows a completion rate of 82.4%, which is above the California state average of 64.2%. Graduates carry a median debt of $13,000, and median earnings 10 years after entry are reported at $26,897. Annual cost of attendance is listed at $25,691, and 40.5% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a substantial share of lower-income students enrolled at this campus.
This campus may suit students seeking focused, hands-on training in cosmetology, esthetics, or barbering rather than a multi-year academic degree; program length details beyond completer counts are not reported for this campus in federal data. Prospective students considering a career change should verify current accreditation status directly with NACCAS and review the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard for the most up-to-date completion, debt, and earnings figures before enrolling.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
This campus offers cosmetology, esthetician, and barber programs, with cosmetology being the largest by number of completers (151), followed by esthetician (129) and barber (51).
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, and 40.5% of students receive Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 82.4%, which is above the California state average of 64.2%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates carry a median debt of $13,000, according to federal data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are reported at $26,897.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
The annual cost of attendance is $25,691, per federal data.
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 financial aid options compared to public or non-profit institutions; prospective students should factor this into their cost comparisons.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Specific program lengths are not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school directly at (714) 546-8786 or visit its website for details.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation through NACCAS and review detailed outcome data on the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?442240.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The school offers focused training in cosmetology, esthetics, and barbering rather than multi-year degrees, which may suit those seeking a shorter path into a trade, though specific scheduling and program-length details are not reported here.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Specific licensing requirements are not reported in this data; contact the school directly or check California's cosmetology licensing board for program-specific certification requirements.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach the school by phone at (714) 546-8786 or visit its website at https://paulmitchell.edu/costamesa for application information.
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 to compare completion rates, debt, and earnings across schools.
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.