Ohio State School of Cosmetology-Columbus

What Ohio State School of Cosmetology-Columbus does

Ohio State School of Cosmetology, operating alongside The Spa School under the Salon Schools Group brand, is a privately held for-profit beauty education institution founded in 1944 and incorporated in Ohio. It delivers state-licensed cosmetology and esthetics training across four Central Ohio campuses (Columbus, Canal Winchester, Marion, and Heath) via five programs ranging from a 300-hour Advanced Manicuring course ($4,995) to an 1,800-hour Advanced Cosmetology course ($27,595). The curriculum is delivered using the Pivot Point LAB integrated social learning platform, with hands-on clinical training conducted in on-campus student salons and spas. Instructional staff include licensed instructors with prior salon ownership experience.

The business model is tuition-driven (one-time, multi-year program contracts) with federal financial aid eligibility (Pell Grants, Direct Loans) for qualifying students, supplemented by three secondary revenue streams: walk-in consumer services from student salon/spa clinics, retail sales of professional beauty products (Redken, Mizani, Pevonia, etc.) via SalonInteractive e-commerce and on-site, and a differentiated Healing Hands Power of Touch community program serving cancer patients and caregivers at discounted rates. Distribution is direct-to-consumer through campus admissions, high school scholarship recruitment (up to $3,500), and community partnerships with organizations including the American Cancer Society and Ovarian Cancer Alliance of Ohio. The institution is independently owned with no disclosed parent company, private equity investment, or external funding.

Name

Ohio State School of Cosmetology-Columbus

Legal name

Ohio State School of Cosmetology, Corporation

Website

https://salonschools.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1944

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Ohio State School of Cosmetology, founded in 1944, is a privately held beauty education institution operating four Central Ohio campuses that deliver state-licensed cosmetology, esthetics, hair design, and manicuring programs to aspiring beauty professionals, with supplementary revenue from student salon services and retail product sales.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cosmetology and Beauty Education

NAICS

Cosmetology and Barber Schools (611511)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Cosmetology (General) (EDAOALAA)

Keywords

• Cosmetology education
• Beauty school training
• Esthetics programs
• Nail technology courses
• Hair designer programs

Headquarters

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Cosmetology Program Tuition: Tuition fees charged for cosmetology programs - Advanced Cosmetology (1800 hrs) at $27,595, Cosmetology (1500 hrs) at $24,295, Hair Designer (1000 hrs) at $17,495. Includes tuition and equipment.
2. Esthetics Program Tuition: Tuition fees for 600-hour Esthetics program at $14,420 total course fees.
3. Advanced Manicuring Program Tuition: Tuition for 300-hour Advanced Manicuring program at $4,995 total course fees.
4. Student Salon Services: Services provided by students under instructor supervision - hair, spa, and nail services at reduced rates compared to professional salons.
5. Product Sales: Retail sales of professional beauty products including Redken, Mizani, Pevonia, and other professional brands to students and clients.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Ohio State School of Cosmetology (operating as Salon Schools Group) is a privately held vocational beauty school running four campuses across Central Ohio (Columbus, Canal Winchester, Marion, Heath). It delivers state-approved cosmetology, esthetics, hair design, and manicuring programs (300–1800 hours), supported by student-run hair and spa clinics under licensed instructor supervision, professional product retail, federal financial aid counseling, and the Healing Hands Power of Touch community program for cancer patients and caregivers.

Product overview

Ohio State School of Cosmetology and The Spa School operates as a cosmetology and beauty education institution offering multiple programs across four Central Ohio locations. The portfolio includes five educational programs (1000 Hour Hair Designer, 1500 Hour Cosmetology, 1800 Hour Advanced Cosmetology, 600 Hour Esthetics, and 300 Hour Advanced Manicuring) that prepare students for state board examinations and careers in the beauty industry. In addition to education, the institution operates student-run salon and spa clinics providing budget-friendly services (haircuts, color, facials, nails, waxing) under licensed instructor supervision. A distinctive offering is the Healing Hands Power of Touch community program providing discounted spa services for cancer patients and caregivers. The school also operates a retail division selling professional beauty products from Redken, Mizani, and Pevonia. Financial support services include federal financial aid, scholarships, and payment plans for qualifying students.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 1000 Hour Hair Designer Program A 1000-hour focused hair design program covering shampooing, scalp massage, haircutting, hair additions, permanent waves, hair coloring, sales skills, and career preparedness, preparing students for state board licensure as hair designers.
• 1500 Hour Cosmetology Program A comprehensive 1500-hour cosmetology program covering haircare, updos, braids, wig care, chemical and coloring services, manicuring, pedicuring, eyebrow shaping, lash and brow tinting, and wax services, preparing students for state board cosmetology examination.
• 1800 Hour Advanced Cosmetology Program An advanced 1800-hour cosmetology program covering color techniques, hair sculpting and styling, updos, braids, permanent waving, chemical relaxing, sculptured nails, manicures, pedicures, lash and brow tinting, aromatherapy, and salon operations management with business training for aspiring salon owners.
• 600 Hour Esthetics Program A 600-hour spa-focused esthetics program covering facials, body treatments, waxing, makeup, dermaplaning, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, eyelash extensions, lash and brow tint, lash lift, and brow lamination, preparing students for state board esthetics licensure.
• 300 Hour Advanced Manicuring Program A 300-hour nail technology program covering manicures, hand and arm massage, pedicures, gel polish, acrylic and Gel X application and removal, nail wraps, nail art, and salon operations management, completable in as little as 8 weeks daytime or 17 weeks evening.
• Student Hair Salon Services Hair services including cuts, styles, color, extensions, chemical treatments, and hair additions provided by students under licensed instructor supervision at reduced rates compared to professional salons, available to walk-in consumers at all four campuses.
• Student Spa Services Spa services including facials, body treatments, waxing, nail services, eye enhancements, and spa packages performed by students under licensed instructor supervision at reduced student rates, available to walk-in consumers.
• Healing Hands Power of Touch Program A specialized community program providing pampering services such as facials, body wraps, manicures, pedicures, scalp massages, and haircuts at discounted Patient/Survivor rates for cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers, with students and staff trained to assist clients in the American Cancer Society Free Wig Bank program.
• Redken Professional Hair Products Retail sale of Redken professional hair care products including shampoos, conditioners, styling products, color treatments, and heat protectants sold to students and salon clients.
• Mizani Professional Hair Products Retail sale of Mizani professional hair care products including styling gels, heat protectants, curl defining products, and texturizing treatments formulated for diverse hair types.
• Pevonia Spa Skincare Products Retail sale of Pevonia spa-grade skincare product lines including cleansers, moisturizers, masks, toners, eye treatments, and specialized formulations for sensitive, dry, oily, and aging skin.

Quantifiable outcome

• Full-time Cosmetology program can be completed in 10-12 months
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• American Cancer Society - Free Wig Bank ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Spa School has been selected by the American Cancer Society to be an official provider for their Free Wig Bank program. Students and staff have been trained to provide assistance with choosing and styling wigs for deserving clients.
• Ovarian Cancer Alliance of OhiominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEndorsed the Healing Hands Power of Touch program, which provides respite services for cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers.
• Young Survival CoalitionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEndorsed the Healing Hands Power of Touch program supporting young cancer survivors.
• Ohio Health Oncology Patient Navigation ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with Ohio Health to provide Healing Hands Power of Touch program to cancer patients in their oncology navigation system.
• The Home Care NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEndorsed the Healing Hands Power of Touch program for home care patients and caregivers.
• Pivot Point (LAB System)coreTechnology or IntegrationUses Pivot Point LAB (Learn About Beauty) system for education delivery - an integrated social learning environment with best-in-class educational content and collaborative features. The only beauty school in Central Ohio using this system.
• Redken, Pulp Riot, Mizani, Matrix, Morgan Taylor, Gelish, Pevonia, FrommcoreOthersUses industry-relevant professional product lines including Redken, Pulp Riot, Mizani, Matrix, Morgan Taylor, Gelish, and Pevonia for skincare. Student kits built with Fromm products.
• JoicominorOthersProfessional hair color and care brand used at Columbus location for student training.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Mitchell College (Cosmetology programs): Broader educational institution offering cosmetology/esthetics programs as part of a wider postsecondary portfolio. Comparable in program structure but operates within a larger, diversified educational brand.
• Community and Technical College Workforce Programs: Public community and technical colleges across Ohio (e.g., Columbus State, Sinclair) offer cosmetology and esthetics programs with lower tuition and federal aid eligibility, representing a meaningful competitive alternative for cost-sensitive students.

Direct peers

• Empire Beauty Schools: One of the largest cosmetology school networks in the U.S., operating across multiple states with similar program offerings (cosmetology, esthetics, nail technology) and federal financial aid eligibility. Direct competitor for student enrollment in any overlapping Ohio geographies.
• Aveda Institute: Premium cosmetology and esthetics school brand owned by Estée Lauder, offering state-board-approved programs with strong brand recognition. Competes for the same aspiring beauty professional segment with a more prestige-oriented positioning.
• Paul Mitchell Schools: National network of independently-owned cosmetology schools operating under the Paul Mitchell brand. Offers comparable programs (cosmetology, esthetics, nail technology) and competes for the same prospective beauty students via strong brand-driven marketing.
• Xenon International Academy: Multi-state cosmetology and esthetics school offering similar Title IV-eligible programs with comparable tuition pricing. Operates with the same multi-campus, multi-program model targeting career-focused beauty students.
• The Salon Professional Academy (TSPA): Network of independently-owned Redken-affiliated cosmetology schools using Pivot Point-aligned curriculum. Highly comparable business model focused on cosmetology and esthetics training with strong industry-brand partnerships.
• Tricoci University of Beauty Culture: Multi-campus cosmetology and esthetics school with a similar multi-location, federal-aid-eligible model. Directly comparable in program mix, target student, and tuition structure to Ohio State School of Cosmetology.
• Kaplan Beauty Schools (formerly Capri Cosmetology): Multi-state cosmetology and esthetics school chain offering similar Title IV-funded programs with comparable pricing and career-focused training. Direct competitor in the licensed beauty education segment.

Others

• Pivot Point International: Curriculum and learning platform provider to beauty schools globally. Ohio State School is a customer and adopter of Pivot Point LAB, making it a key ecosystem partner whose product roadmap directly affects the school's classroom capabilities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/thespaschool
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/ohio-state-school-of-cosmetology-columbus

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Ohio State School of Cosmetology-Columbus