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Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center
Poplar Bluff, Missouri · Public technical college
Address: 3203 Oak Grove Rd, Poplar Bluff, MO 63901 · Phone: (573) 785-2248 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center is a public trade school in Poplar Bluff, Missouri offering cosmetology, esthetician, and HVAC programs, accredited by the Council on Occupational Education.
Federal outcome data on completion rate, graduate debt, and earnings is not reported for this campus, though the Missouri state average completion rate is 69.3% per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Cost is not reported in federal data for Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center; contact the school for current tuition. The school does participate in federal financial aid (Title IV), so FAFSA and Pell Grants can be used for eligible programs.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists | $28,600 | $30,750 | $38,130 |
| Skincare specialists | $29,790 | $45,200 | $67,970 |
| HVAC and refrigeration mechanics and installers | $39,180 | $59,950 | $74,610 |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $34,950 | $49,160 | $63,240 |
| Construction laborers | $37,870 | $56,730 | $77,580 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in Missouri (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 | 18 | not reported | $12,468 | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 6 | not reported | $12,468 | not reported |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Certificate, 1–2 years | 3 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Carpenters | Certificate, 1–2 years | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 1 | not reported | not reported | 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
Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center is a public trade and career school in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, located in a remote town setting. The school is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education and participates in federal Title IV financial aid programs, meaning students can use FAFSA-based aid, including Pell Grants, to help pay for eligible programs. The campus offers five program families, with the most-completed programs being Cosmetology (18 completers), Esthetician training (6 completers), and HVAC (3 completers).
Federal completion data shows the state average completion rate in Missouri is 69.3%, but this campus's own completion rate compared to that state average is not reported for this campus in federal data. Median debt of graduates, median earnings 10 years after entry, annual cost of attendance, and the share of students receiving Pell Grants are also not reported for this campus in federal data.
Based on the program mix, this campus appears geared toward students pursuing hands-on, shorter-format credentials in cosmetology, esthetics, and HVAC rather than multi-year associate degrees, which may suit adult learners and career changers looking for focused training, though specific program lengths are not reported for this campus in federal data. Prospective students should verify current accreditation status directly with the Council on Occupational Education and review the school's official U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard page for the latest available outcome figures before enrolling.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center offers five program families, with the most-completed being Cosmetology schools (18 completers), Esthetician schools (6 completers), and HVAC schools (3 completers). It also offers auto-mechanic and construction-trades programs.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, the school 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-based aid including Pell Grants for eligible programs.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
This campus's specific completion rate and its comparison to the state average are not reported for this campus in federal data. The Missouri state average completion rate is 69.3%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Median debt of graduates is not reported for this campus in federal data. Contact the school at (573) 785-2248 or visit its College Scorecard page for further 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?
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school directly for current tuition information.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center is a public school, which typically means lower tuition costs and eligibility for state and federal funding compared to some for-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 at (573) 785-2248 for scheduling details.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation with the Council on Occupational Education and review federal outcome data on the school's College Scorecard page at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?178828.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The program mix of cosmetology, esthetician, and HVAC training suggests a focus on hands-on, career-specific skills, which may appeal to career changers, though specific fit details like schedule flexibility are not reported in federal data.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center at (573) 785-2248 or visit its website at https://www.poplarbluffschools.net/ for application details.
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.