Career Training Path › Ohio › Polaris Career Center
Polaris Career Center
Middleburg Heights, Ohio · Public technical college
Address: 7285 Old Oak Blvd, Middleburg Heights, OH 44130 · Phone: (440) 891-7600 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
Sanction on record, not yet lifted — Jun 2025 · Warning · Council on Occupational Education. 2 sanction actions in the window.
Polaris Career Center is a public trade school in Middleburg Heights, Ohio, offering nail technician, welding, and cosmetology programs, accredited by the Council on Occupational Education.
Polaris Career Center has a 77.4% completion rate, above the Ohio state average of 68.8%, with graduates carrying a median debt of $6,365 and median earnings of $38,718 ten years after entry, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Annual cost of attendance at Polaris Career Center is reported at $17,171, and the school participates in Title IV federal financial aid, with 44.4% of students receiving Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manicurists and pedicurists | $26,650 | $35,590 | $45,240 |
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $38,990 | $50,340 | $59,510 |
| Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists | $23,520 | $36,260 | $57,840 |
| Phlebotomists | $36,190 | $39,770 | $46,520 |
| Dental assistants | $36,870 | $47,970 | $59,520 |
| Construction laborers | $37,370 | $56,080 | $74,370 |
| Medical assistants | $36,050 | $42,810 | $46,270 |
| Machinists | $38,070 | $57,940 | $64,050 |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $34,110 | $48,710 | $63,840 |
| Medical records specialists | $38,060 | $50,990 | $63,510 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in Ohio (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, under 300 hours | 20 | not reported | $18,087 | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 19 | $33,338 | $28,381 | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 17 | not reported | $18,087 | not reported |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | Certificate, under 300 hours | 15 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 11 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 11 | $23,209 | $24,421 | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 7 | $25,059 | $20,687 | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 7 | $33,338 | $28,381 | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 6 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 5 | not reported | $28,816 | not reported |
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
Polaris Career Center is a public trade and career school in Middleburg Heights, Ohio, accredited by the Council on Occupational Education. The school participates in federal financial aid programs, so students can use FAFSA, Pell Grants, and other Title IV aid to help pay for programs. Polaris offers 10 program families, with its top programs by completer volume being nail technician schools, welding schools, and cosmetology schools, alongside offerings in phlebotomy, dental assisting, construction trades, medical assisting, CNC machining, auto mechanics, and medical billing and coding.
Federal data show a completion rate of 77.4%, which is above the Ohio state average of 68.8%. Graduates carry a median debt of $6,365, and median earnings 10 years after entry are $38,718. Annual cost of attendance is reported at $17,171, and 44.4% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a substantial share of lower-income students are served. With 118 trade completers among an undergraduate enrollment of about 300, the campus is set in a large suburb.
Based on its program mix, Polaris appears geared toward students seeking shorter, hands-on trade credentials rather than multi-year degrees, which may suit career changers or adults looking for a faster path into a skilled trade — though specific program lengths and scheduling are not reported for this campus in federal data and should be confirmed directly. Prospective students should verify current accreditation status and outcomes through the Council on Occupational Education and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard before enrolling.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Polaris Career Center offers 10 program families, with the top programs being nail technician schools, welding schools, and cosmetology schools. It also offers phlebotomy, dental assisting, construction trades, medical assisting, CNC machining, auto mechanics, and medical billing and coding.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, Polaris Career Center 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, this school participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so students can use FAFSA and Pell Grants to help cover costs.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 77.4%, which is above the Ohio state average of 68.8%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates carry a median debt of $6,365, according to federal data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are $38,718, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
The reported annual cost of attendance is $17,171.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
Polaris Career Center is a public institution, which often means lower tuition and closer oversight by state education agencies compared to for-profit schools.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program lengths are not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school at (440) 891-7600 or visit https://www.polaris.edu/ for specifics.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation through the Council on Occupational Education and review federal outcome data on the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?390905.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The program mix, including short-format trade programs like welding, cosmetology, and nail technology, may suit adults or career changers, though specific scheduling and length details are not reported in federal data and should be confirmed with the school.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing and certification requirements are not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school directly to confirm requirements for specific trades.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can contact Polaris Career Center at (440) 891-7600 or visit https://www.polaris.edu/ for application information.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data with nearby schools is not reported in federal data; you can use the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?390905 to compare completion rates, debt, and earnings across institutions.
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.