La James College of Hairstyling and Cosmetology
La James College of Hairstyling and Cosmetology is a private for-profit institution in Mason City, IA earning an overall grade of Unranked, and enrolling about 56 undergraduates. Students most often pursue Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services.
Day to day, students benefit from a 7:1 student-faculty ratio. Coaches and faculty advisors weave in frequent check-ins, helping students translate ambition into steady progress.
Families typically invest $4,522, about $12,476 less than the national median. Six years after enrolling, alumni report median earnings of $20,024. That's about $23,664 below national results. It's well-suited to students who appreciate an encouraging campus with room to explore and students looking for meaningful faculty access.
La James College of Hairstyling and Cosmetology has average net price of $4,522, with about 56 undergraduates, and median earnings of $20,024 six years after enrollment. Figures come from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and EDsmart's 2026 rankings.
Who is La James College of Hairstyling and Cosmetology Best For?
A quick look at who tends to feel most at home here based on outcomes and campus context.
Cost & Financial Aid
Quick Answers
The costs shown are averages. Use La James College of Hairstyling and Cosmetology's net price calculator to get an estimate based on your family's financial situation.
Calculate Your Net Price →Total Degree Cost Summary
Annual Cost Comparison
Cost of Program Attendance
Costs based on full-time, first-time certificate-seeking students.
View cost of attendance line items
| Costs to Consider | Price |
|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees | Not reported |
| Books and Supplies | Not reported |
| On-Campus Room and Board | Not reported |
| On-Campus Other Expenses | Not reported |
| Total On-Campus Cost | Not reported |
Tip: focus on the rows that match your living plan—commuters can swap in off-campus estimates while residential students should budget for housing, meals, and incidental fees.
Students Receiving Aid
Use these bars to gauge how many classmates rely on need-based dollars—lower Pell or loan shares may signal a wealthier student body or generous institutional grants.
EDsmart Insight: About 54.7% of La James College of Hairstyling and Cosmetology students receive Pell Grants — well above the national average, highlighting ongoing affordability priorities.
If your family earns $75K-$110K: Expect to pay around $5,774/year
If your family earns $110K+: Expect to pay around $16,232/year
See all income brackets →ROI & Career Outcomes
- 6-Year Median Earnings $20,024
- 10-Year Median Earnings $27,484
- Average Years to Graduate 1.0 years
- Average Student Debt $6,332
- Repayment Rate (3yr) 42.6%
- Employment Rate Not reported
Graduate Earnings Distribution
Earnings range for La James College of Hairstyling and Cosmetology graduates 6 years after enrollment, showing the 25th percentile, median, and 75th percentile. This illustrates the variation in outcomes across different majors and career paths.
La James College of Hairstyling and Cosmetology vs. National Average
Comparison of key performance metrics showing how La James College of Hairstyling and Cosmetology's outcomes compare to the national average across earnings, graduation rates, retention, ROI, and employment. This contextualizes La James College of Hairstyling and Cosmetology's performance within the broader higher education landscape.
Acceptance & Selectivity
Getting In
- SAT Evidence-Based Reading Not reported
- SAT Math Not reported
- SAT Writing Not reported
- ACT Composite Not reported
- SAT & ACTNot required
- Undergraduate Enrollment 56
- Full-Time Students 100.0%
- Part-Time Students 0.0%
- Retention Rate Not reported
- Graduation Rate Not reported
- Student-Faculty Ratio 7:1
How to Get Into La James College of Hairstyling and Cosmetology
1. Meet Program Requirements: La James College of Hairstyling and Cosmetology focuses on practical skills and career readiness. Review the specific program requirements, which may include a high school diploma or equivalent, and any prerequisite coursework.
2. Prepare for Your Program: Focus on demonstrating your interest in the field and readiness for hands-on training. Some programs may require interviews or portfolio submissions.
3. Understand Admissions: Trade and certificate programs typically have open or moderately selective admissions focused on program fit rather than academic competition.
4. Financial Planning: Review the net price calculator and financial aid options early. Many students receive significant aid, making the actual cost lower than the sticker price.
Tip: Contact the admissions office directly for the most current application requirements, deadlines, and any special programs (like early decision or early action) that might improve your chances.
Academic Programs
Undergraduate Program Distribution
Breakdown of the most popular majors and fields of study among La James College of Hairstyling and Cosmetology undergraduates. Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services and Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services draw the most students.
- Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services 88.4%
- Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services 11.6%
Highest Earning Programs
Median earnings five years after graduation for each program. These figures help illustrate ROI by field of study and degree level.
Certificate Programs
- 1. Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services $19,351
Program Choice Matters: Your program and degree level choice significantly impact career earnings.
Online Degrees & Distance Learning
College Scorecard reports fully online programs for La James College of Hairstyling and Cosmetology. Below are the most popular options based on the number of recent graduates, followed by a quick look at the breadth of online offerings by degree level.
Source: U.S. Department of Education – College Scorecard
Most Popular Online Degrees
- Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma, 22 graduates)
- Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma, 11 graduates)
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma, 0 graduates)
What This School Offers Online, at a Glance
College Scorecard flags the following online degree and certificate programs for this institution. Expand each credential level to view the complete list of available subjects.
Online Undergraduate Certificates & Diplomas (3 programs)▼
- Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services
- Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
Student Demographics
Student Population
- Total Undergraduate Enrollment 56
- Full-Time Students 100.0%
- Part-Time Students 0.0%
- Male Students 1.8%
- Female Students 98.2%
- Caucasian 75.0%
- Asian 0.0%
- Hispanic 14.3%
- Black 10.7%
- Pell Grant Recipients 54.7%
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
Undergraduate student body composition by racial and ethnic background. This reflects La James College of Hairstyling and Cosmetology's commitment to diversity and inclusion in admissions.
Gender Distribution
Gender breakdown of La James College of Hairstyling and Cosmetology's undergraduate population. Women make up 98.2% of the student body, while men represent 1.8%.
EDsmart Insight: The student body is 75.0% White, reflecting less racial diversity than the national average. Women make up 98.2% of undergraduates. 54.7% of students receive Pell Grants, well above the national average, indicating strong support for low-income students.
Our Take
La James College of Hairstyling and Cosmetology is unranked in our comprehensive analysis, achieving a Unranked overall grade with 0.0% ROI.
At $4,522 annually, the institution serves students seeking accessible higher education. Career outcomes and value metrics should be carefully compared against alternative institutions before enrolling.
EDsmart Assessment: La James College of Hairstyling and Cosmetology
Unranked grade | Unranked
Performance Overview: La James College of Hairstyling and Cosmetology's 0.0% return on investment and unranked status reflect the institution's competitive position in the higher education landscape. The $4,522 annual cost should be carefully weighed against expected career outcomes.
Value Considerations: Prospective students should compare La James College of Hairstyling and Cosmetology's specific programs against alternatives, as institutional averages may not reflect individual program quality. Financial aid packages, program-specific outcomes, and career services vary significantly.
Decision Framework: Use La James College of Hairstyling and Cosmetology's Unranked grade and unranked status as starting points, not final answers. Evaluate program-specific outcomes, campus visit impressions, financial aid offers, and career placement rates in your intended field before making enrollment decisions.
Key Takeaways
- Median earnings of $20,024 run about 54% lower than national outcomes six years after enrollment.
- Average net price of $4,522 is roughly $12,875 lower than the national median of $17,397.
- 7:1 student-faculty ratio keeps advising personal and discussion-sized.
Helpfulness for Students
- 7:1 student-faculty ratio keeps mentorship close and courses discussion-sized.
- Career coaching and alumni mentoring help learners convert classes into early job offers.
- Career coaching and alumni mentoring help learners convert classes into early job offers.
- 81.0% of students borrow federal loans, outpacing typical campuses and raising repayment stakes.
- Compare aid offers from nearby public universities to weigh the premium for smaller classes.
- Compare aid offers from nearby public universities to weigh the premium for smaller classes.
EDsmart Expert Analysis
EDsmart rates La James College of Hairstyling and Cosmetology—a private for-profit institution in Mason City, IA—at Unranked overall. Completion earns Unranked, Support Unranked, Career Outcomes Unranked, and Affordability Unranked.
Grades are assigned relative to EDsmart's national bachelor's cohort using standardized outcomes (2026 methodology); they reflect how a school compares to peers, not a fixed percentage of a raw point total.
Review the cost and aid tables for a full picture of value.
Why it matters: this snapshot shows how likely you are to stay on track academically and whether the outcomes justify the price tag. Letter grades summarize cohort-relative performance—not a single exam-style score.
EDsmart Financial Snapshot
Review the charts above for a breakdown of tuition, aid, and typical expenses.
Aid awards vary by student profile, so completing the net price calculator is the best next step.
Graduates leave with a median of $6,332 in federal loans, which lines up with national norms.
About 54.7% of students receive Pell Grants, giving a snapshot of the campus income mix.
Why it matters: lining up sticker price, aid, and typical debt helps you stress-test the budget before you commit.
EDsmart Career Snapshot
Median earnings come in near $20,024 six years after enrollment. This is roughly 54% below typical U.S. college outcomes.
Employment figures are not reported, so explore departmental job placement stories.
Use the ROI table above to estimate how long it may take to recoup your degree costs.
Why it matters: pairing median earnings with employment rates gives you a sense of payback time after graduation.
EDsmart Admissions Snapshot
This institution has not reported a current acceptance rate.
The admissions team encourages students to highlight academic strengths through transcripts, essays, and recommendations.
Prospective students can apply early for priority review and lean on the La James College of Hairstyling and Cosmetology admissions site for deadlines, visit options, and counselor contacts.
Why it matters: knowing the admit rate and application expectations lets you map out testing, essays, and deadlines with less stress.
Your Decision Toolkit
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Note: EDsmart’s national college rankings compare four-year, bachelor’s-granting institutions. Certificate- and trade-focused schools are not included in that ranking pool. The schools below are four-year references in the same state only, not peer comparisons.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does La James College of Hairstyling and Cosmetology cost?
At La James College of Hairstyling and Cosmetology, the average net price after aid is $4,522. Use the net price calculator on this page for a personalized estimate.
What are La James College of Hairstyling and Cosmetology's job outcomes?
Graduates of La James College of Hairstyling and Cosmetology report median earnings of $20,024 six years after enrollment, according to College Scorecard federal outcome data. Outcomes vary by major.
What is La James College of Hairstyling and Cosmetology's student population?
La James College of Hairstyling and Cosmetology enrolls about 56 undergraduate students, per College Scorecard enrollment data.
Contact Information
- Address 24 Second St NE, Mason City, IA 50401-3308
- Website www.lajames.edu/services
- Net Price Calculator Calculate Your Cost
- Financial AidView Financial Aid Information
- AccreditationNational Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences (NACCAS)