Career Training Path › Ohio › Portage Lakes Career Center
Portage Lakes Career Center
Uniontown, Ohio · Public technical college
Address: 4401 Shriver Rd, Uniontown, OH 44685 · Phone: (330) 896-8200 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
Sanction on record, not yet lifted — Jun 2025 · Warning or Equivalent-Factors Affecting Academic Quality · Council on Occupational Education.
Portage Lakes Career Center is a public trade school in Uniontown, Ohio offering nail technician, LPN, and cosmetology programs, accredited by the Council on Occupational Education.
Portage Lakes Career Center has a 68.8% completion rate, near the Ohio state average, with median graduate debt of $8,444 and median earnings of $38,316 ten years after entry, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Annual cost of attendance at Portage Lakes Career Center is $27,236, and the school participates in Title IV federal financial aid, with 41.2% 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 |
| Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | $50,030 | $61,950 | $65,900 |
| Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists | $23,520 | $36,260 | $57,840 |
| Skincare specialists | $28,350 | $39,150 | $52,870 |
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $38,990 | $50,340 | $59,510 |
| Phlebotomists | $36,190 | $39,770 | $46,520 |
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 | 45 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 1–2 years | 28 | $41,186 | $30,771 | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 20 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 16 | not reported | $29,685 | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 15 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | Certificate, under 300 hours | 12 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 5 | 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
Portage Lakes Career Center is a public trade and career training campus in Uniontown, Ohio, located in a large suburb setting. The school is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education and participates in the federal Title IV financial aid program, meaning students can use FAFSA and Pell Grants to help cover costs. Across its 7 program families, the campus's top programs by completer count are nail technician schools, LPN/LVN programs, and cosmetology schools, with additional offerings in esthetician, welding, and phlebotomy training.
On federal outcome measures, the campus reports a completion rate of 68.8%, which is near the Ohio state average of 68.8%. Graduates carry a median debt of $8,444, and median earnings 10 years after entry are reported at $38,316. Annual cost of attendance is listed at $27,236, and 41.2% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a meaningful share of students from lower-income backgrounds. There were 141 trade completers out of an undergraduate enrollment of 168 during the reporting period.
This mix of shorter certificate-style programs (nail technician, cosmetology, esthetician) alongside longer LPN and welding training suggests the campus can suit both quick career-entry students and those pursuing more extended technical or health-related credentials, including some adult and career-changer students, based on the program lengths and setting described. Prospective students should verify current accreditation status directly with the Council on Occupational Education and review the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard for the most up-to-date federal data before enrolling.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Portage Lakes Career Center offers 7 program families, with the most completers in nail technician schools, LPN/LVN programs, and cosmetology schools. It also offers esthetician, welding, and phlebotomy training.
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 campus participates in the Title IV federal financial aid program, so students can 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 68.8%, which is near the Ohio state average of 68.8%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Median debt for graduates is reported at $8,444.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are reported at $38,316.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
The annual cost of attendance is reported at $27,236.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
This is a public school, which can affect tuition rates, funding sources, and eligibility for certain state or federal programs compared to private or for-profit institutions.
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 (330) 896-8200 or visit https://www.plcc.edu/ to confirm program duration.
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 College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?364636.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The campus offers both shorter certificate programs and longer LPN and welding training, which may suit a range of students, but specific fit for career changers is not detailed in federal data; contact the school for guidance.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing or certification requirements are not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school at (330) 896-8200 for program-specific licensing information.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Portage Lakes Career Center at (330) 896-8200 or through their website at https://www.plcc.edu/.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data with other nearby schools is not reported in federal data for this campus; consult the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?364636 to compare similar 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.