Dorsey School of Business, Inc.

What Dorsey School of Business, Inc. does

Dorsey School of Business, Inc. is the operating entity behind Dorsey College and Dorsey School of Beauty, a network of eight campus locations across Michigan delivering career and technical training in healthcare, nursing, skilled trades, culinary arts, beauty, and emergency medical services. Founded in 1934 and headquartered in Woodhaven, Michigan, the institution serves career-focused individuals seeking vocational credentials and state licensure, including high school graduates, career changers, military veterans, and clients of Michigan Rehabilitation Services. Programmatic offerings range from short-form certificates (Cosmetology, Manicuring, Esthetician, EMT) to multi-semester Associate of Applied Science degrees (Nursing, Radiologic Technology, Surgical Technology). The Taylor campus operates a fully functioning student salon that generates ancillary revenue from beauty services delivered by supervised senior students.

The business model is tuition-driven: students pay program-specific tuition and fees, with revenue supplemented by a fully functioning student salon at the Taylor campus, and financed primarily through federal Title IV aid (Pell Grants, Stafford Loans, PLUS Loans), institutional scholarships and grants, employer tuition assistance (UAW-Chrysler, UAW-Ford, UAW-GM), and state-administered awards. Dorsey College is institutionally accredited by the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education, while Dorsey School of Beauty holds NACCAS accreditation and Michigan Board of Cosmetology licensure. Day-to-day instructional delivery runs on the Canvas learning management system; no proprietary AI or technology platform is disclosed.

The institution operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary within the Lindenwood Education System, a Missouri-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that functions as the sole member of Lindenwood Holdings, Inc. (the immediate Delaware LLC parent). The 2024 cohort disclosed a 67.04% graduation rate, 81.44% licensure rate, and 83.54% job placement rate, with 2,084 Title IV-eligible students reported as of March 31, 2022. Headcount is in the 251-500 range; revenue is not publicly disclosed.

Name

Dorsey School of Business, Inc.

Legal name

Dorsey School of Business, Inc.

Website

https://dorsey.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1975

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Dorsey School of Business, Inc. operates Dorsey College and Dorsey School of Beauty, running eight Michigan campuses that deliver vocational training in healthcare, nursing, skilled trades, culinary, beauty, and EMS to career-focused individuals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Career and Technical Education

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Cosmetology and Barber Schools (611511)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Cosmetology Schools & Programs (HSALANAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Salon Business, Management & Retail Training (HSALANAK)

Keywords

• Career training programs
• Vocational education
• Healthcare training
• Cosmetology school
• Nursing programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Woodhaven

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Primary revenue from student tuition and fees for career training programs. Tuition varies by program length and is supplemented by financial aid including Pell Grants, federal student loans, institutional scholarships and grants, and private loans.
2. Student Salon Services: Revenue from salon services provided by supervised senior students to members of the public, who are charged for services rendered by students.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Dorsey School of Business, Inc. operates Dorsey College and Dorsey School of Beauty, providing career-focused vocational and technical training programs across healthcare, nursing, skilled trades, culinary, beauty, and EMS disciplines at multiple Michigan campuses. Programs combine classroom instruction with hands-on training, including a fully functioning student salon where supervised senior students provide beauty services to the public. The institution prepares individuals for state licensure and entry-level careers, supported by financial aid options and job placement assistance.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Dorsey School of Beauty, Taylor: A beauty-focused division of Dorsey offering Cosmetology, Esthetician, and Manicuring programs, located in Taylor, MI and accredited by NACCAS.
• Dorsey Culinary Academy
• Training Direct

Products and services

• Medical Assistant Program Career training program that prepares students for entry-level careers as medical assistants in healthcare settings. Designed for individuals pursuing healthcare careers.
• Medical Administration and Billing Program Career training program focused on medical administration, billing, and office procedures for healthcare settings. Designed for individuals seeking administrative healthcare careers.
• Medical Laboratory Assistant Program Program designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to pursue an entry-level career in the medical laboratory field.
• Patient Care Technician Program Career training program preparing students for entry-level roles as patient care technicians in healthcare facilities.
• Pharmacy Technician Program Career training program that prepares students to work as pharmacy technicians in retail, hospital, and clinical pharmacy settings.
• Dental Assistant Program Career training program that prepares students for entry-level dental assisting roles in dental offices and clinics.
• Massage Therapy Program Career training program preparing students for careers in massage therapy, including a student massage clinic open to the public.
• Dialysis Patient Care Technician Program Specialized career training program preparing students to work as dialysis patient care technicians.
• Sterile Processing Technician Program
• Associate of Applied Science in Radiologic Technology Associate degree program that prepares students for careers as radiologic technologists, including x-ray imaging procedures and patient care.
• Associate of Applied Science in Surgical Technology Associate degree program that prepares students for careers as surgical technologists assisting in operating room procedures.
• Associate of Applied Science in Nursing Associate degree program that prepares students to become registered nurses (RNs) eligible for state licensure.
• Practical Nurse Program Career training program that prepares students to become licensed practical nurses (LPNs).
• Electrical Technician Program Career training program preparing students for entry-level careers as electrical technicians in residential and commercial settings.
• HVAC Systems Technician Program Career training program that prepares students for careers installing, maintaining, and repairing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems.
• Baking and Pastry Arts Program Culinary certificate program preparing students for careers in baking and pastry arts.
• Culinary Arts Program Culinary certificate program preparing students for careers in culinary arts and professional kitchens.
• Cosmetology Program Career training program covering all phases of cosmetology, shop management, ethics, and grooming, designed to prepare students for Michigan state licensure.
• Manicuring Program Career training program focused on manicuring and nail care services, preparing students for state licensure.
• Esthetician Program Career training program in skincare and esthetics services, preparing students for state licensure.
• Dorsey School of Beauty Cosmetology Program Cosmetology training program at the NACCAS-accredited Dorsey School of Beauty Taylor campus, covering comprehensive cosmetology curriculum in a fully functioning salon environment.
• Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Program Career training program that prepares students for careers as Emergency Medical Technicians.
• Paramedic Program Career training program that prepares students for careers as Paramedics with advanced emergency medical skills.
• EMS Instructor-Coordinator Program Program that prepares experienced EMS professionals to become EMS instructors and coordinators.
• Student Salon Services Public salon services including cuts, styles, coloring, manicures, pedicures, facials, body treatments, and hair removal provided by supervised senior students at the Taylor campus student salon.

Quantifiable outcome

• 67.04% graduation rate; 81.44% licensure rate; 83.54% job placement rate (2024 cohort)
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMichigan Rehabilitation Services is a state agency that provides vocational rehabilitation services to Michigan citizens that are physically or mentally impaired. MRS may arrange, provide, or purchase services necessary to achieve an individual's employment plan. Dorsey School of Beauty accepts referrals and coordinates with MRS for eligible students.
• American Heart AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmerican Heart Association Classes are offered at some Dorsey College locations, providing CPR and other emergency cardiovascular care training as part of EMS program offerings.
• Ohio-Michigan Association of Career Colleges and Schools (OMACCS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDorsey School of Beauty partners with OMACCS to offer the Karen Cortis - LEADS Scholarship to high school graduates from Michigan or Ohio. Scholarship applications are submitted through OMACCS and recipient information is posted on their website.
• U.S. Department of Labor (Career One Stop, O*NET)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDorsey School of Beauty references U.S. Department of Labor resources including O*NET for career information and Career One Stop for state-specific career data. These partnerships provide students with occupational outlook information and career pathway guidance.
• Michigan Merit Award ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFor students who have served or are currently serving in the military, Dorsey School of Beauty coordinates with the Michigan Merit Award program administered by the Student Scholarships and Grants Division.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• South University: Larger for-profit institution offering healthcare, nursing, business, and criminal justice programs at degree and non-degree levels. Broader academic scope but overlapping healthcare and nursing verticals.

Regional players

• Douglas Education Center: Pennsylvania-based career college offering cosmetology, esthetics, nursing, and trade programs. Comparable in vocational mix and cosmetology school operations, but serves different geography.

Direct peers

• ECPI University: For-profit career college offering health sciences, nursing, technology, and skilled trades programs across multiple U.S. campuses. Comparable multi-vertical vocational training model with similar employer-driven placement emphasis.
• Fortis Institute: For-profit career training operator offering nursing, healthcare, skilled trades, and cosmetology programs across multiple states. Direct competitor in the proprietary vocational education space with similar accreditation dependencies.
• Concorde Career Colleges: For-profit healthcare-focused career college with programs in nursing, dental, medical, and allied health. Directly comparable healthcare-heavy program mix and Title IV-dependent revenue model.
• Lincoln Tech: For-profit technical training provider with programs in healthcare, skilled trades, automotive, and cosmetology. Highly comparable in program mix (particularly HVAC, electrical, healthcare, and beauty) and Title IV funding model.
• Empire Beauty Schools: NACCAS-accredited chain of cosmetology schools offering cosmetology, esthetics, and nail technology programs. Most direct peer for Dorsey School of Beauty Taylor division.
• Porter and Chester Institute: Multi-campus for-profit career college offering healthcare, skilled trades, and technical programs in the Northeast. Comparable in career-focused vocational positioning and employer-aligned curriculum.
• Ross Education Holdings: For-profit career college group focused on allied health, dental, and veterinary programs across multiple states. Comparable healthcare-vocational orientation and similar Title IV funding exposure.
• Baker College: Michigan-based private career college offering healthcare, nursing, business, and technical programs across multiple campuses. Closest geographic and programmatic peer to Dorsey College's multi-vertical vocational model.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/dorseyschools
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC0nBg07zSKKI7ZusSuTc09A
• Facebookfacebook.com/pages/Dorsey-Schools/211764738842363
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dorsey-schools---waterford-pontiac
• Instagraminstagram.com/dorseycollege
• Pinterestpinterest.com/dorseyschools

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Dorsey School of Business, Inc.