D
Below Average
Score: 42/100
Overall (traditional)
C
Outcome Rating
49/100 · earnings-weighted

Paul Mitchell the School-Columbia

Less than 2-Year Private For-Profit
📍 West Columbia, South Carolina 29169
ℹ️
Rating Context: This is a specialized vocational program (less than 2-year). Our comprehensive rating system is optimized for traditional colleges and may not fully reflect the value of career-focused training programs.

Suggested Focus: For this type of institution, we recommend prioritizing the Outcomes Score (C+) which measures graduation and job placement rates — the most relevant metrics for career programs.
Graduation Rate: 48%
Outcomes
C+
55/100
Affordability
C
45/100
Resources
D
41/100
Experience
C
53/100
Prestige
F
17/100

Two ratings: the overall grade compares colleges the conventional way (outcomes, cost, resources, experience, reputation). The Outcome Rating asks what students earn: 60% wage-adjusted earnings 10 years after enrolling, 25% graduation, 15% retention. Methodology

Quick Stats

300
Total Enrollment
48%
Graduation Rate
86%
Retention Rate
24.0:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
N/A
Acceptance Rate
N/A
Avg Net Price

Earnings, Debt & Completion

What happens to students who enroll at Paul Mitchell the School-Columbia, from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.

$26,696
Median earnings 10 yrs after entry
$21,933
Median earnings 6 yrs after entry
$11,740
Median debt at graduation
68.8%
Completion rate (within 150% of normal time)
57.6%
Students receiving Pell grants

Typical debt at graduation equals about 44% of one year’s median earnings ten years after entry.

Earnings rank: 39th percentile among certificate-focused colleges after a partial adjustment for local wage levels (SC wage index 0.81). This drives the Outcome Rating.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved Oct 2026. Earnings are for federally aided students who enrolled, whether or not they graduated.

Earnings by Major at Paul Mitchell the School-Columbia

Median pay of undergraduate certificate or diploma graduates by field of study, and how each program ranks against every college reporting that major — by raw pay and adjusted for state wage levels. Same school, very different paychecks.

Major1 yr after4 yrs aftervs. nationalRank (pay)Rank (wage-adj.)Median debt
Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services$19,583$27,448+4%#434 of 1025#274$10,564

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study data. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working; small programs are not reported.

For parents & investors

The Paul Mitchell the School-Columbia Town Property Report

  • Avg home value near campus: $230,170
  • Avg rent near campus: $1,761/mo
  • Top nearby ZIP by cap rate: 29203 (7.9% cap, Columbia)

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🏆 Where Paul Mitchell the School-Columbia Ranks

Rankings based on Repit College Grade among schools offering each program.

#6
Cosmetology, Barber/Styling, and Nail Instructor
of 6 schools

Costs & Financial Aid

Tuition & Fees

Category In-State Out-of-State
Tuition N/A N/A

Financial Aid

87%
Receive Any Aid
67%
Receive Pell Grants
67%
Take Out Loans
N/A
Avg Net Price

Student Demographics

300
Total Students
87%
Women
60%
Traditional Age (18-24)

👥 Race & Ethnicity

White 39%
Hispanic 4%
Black 52%
Asian 1%
Two or More 4%

🏠 Living Arrangements

💻 Learning Mode

In-Person 100%

📊 Age Distribution

18-24 (Traditional) 60%
25-64 (Adult) 39%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Paul Mitchell the School-Columbia?
Acceptance rate data is not available for this institution. Many schools with open enrollment or specialized programs do not report traditional acceptance rates.
How much does it cost to attend Paul Mitchell the School-Columbia?
Detailed tuition information is not available for this institution. Contact the admissions office for current pricing.
What is the graduation rate at Paul Mitchell the School-Columbia?
The graduation rate at Paul Mitchell the School-Columbia is 48%. This graduation rate is below average. Consider factors like program type and student demographics when evaluating.
Is Paul Mitchell the School-Columbia a good school?
Paul Mitchell the School-Columbia has a Repit College Score of 42/100 (Grade: D). Our rating evaluates five key factors:
  • Outcomes (C+): Graduation and retention rates
  • Affordability (C): Net cost and financial aid access
  • Resources (D): Class sizes and selectivity
  • Experience (C): Campus life and learning format
  • Prestige (F): Reputation and recognition
Note: As a vocational program, we recommend focusing on the Outcomes score when evaluating this school.
How many students attend Paul Mitchell the School-Columbia?
Paul Mitchell the School-Columbia has a total enrollment of 300 students.

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🎓 Similar Colleges to Paul Mitchell the School-Columbia

Compare with other Less than 2-Year private for-profit institutions of similar size.

D
Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology and Nails-Columbia
Columbia, SC · 124 students
C
Paul Mitchell the School-Charleston
North Charleston, SC · 266 students
C
Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-North Augusta
North Augusta, SC · 125 students
C
Southeastern Esthetics Institute
Elgin, SC · 318 students
C
Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-Florence
Florence, SC · 178 students
C
Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-Rock Hill
Rock Hill, SC · 172 students

Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: October 2026 | Methodology