Modern HairStylist Institute

What Modern HairStylist Institute does

Modern Hairstyling Institute (MHI), Inc. is a privately held, family-owned postsecondary beauty school founded in 1957 in Puerto Rico by Nydia Pagán de Santiago, currently led by President Israel Berríos. It is the oldest beauty school on the island and operates four NACCAS-accredited campuses in Bayamón, Carolina, Fajardo, and Arecibo, each approved by the Puerto Rico Consejo General de Educación and authorized by the US Department of Education to disburse Pell Grant and FSEOG federal student aid. The institute offers six vocational programs — Cosmetología Básica (1,000 hours), Cosmetología Avanzada (900 hours), Barbería (1,000 hours), Técnica de Uñas (600 hours), Estética (1,000 hours), and Maquillaje Profesional (900 hours) — built on the proprietary TDP (Teoría, Demostración y Práctica) pedagogical framework that the founder introduced to Puerto Rico in 1967 via Pivot Point International of Chicago.

The business model is B2C vocational education monetized through tuition and program fees, supplemented by a one-time $35 enrollment fee, a $250/$200 three-day Repaso Reválida exam-prep add-on, and on-campus beauty clinics where students deliver supervised services to walk-in clients. Distribution is direct-to-consumer across the four campuses with a website-driven booking flow (modern.edu) and a free orientation/FAFSA assistance funnel; marketing is amplified through the EstudiaBelleza.com blog, an Instagram presence, a podcast ("Belleza del Éxito"), and an annual booth at the San Juan Beauty Show. Curriculum and brand partnerships with Pivot Point International, Wella Education, Dermalogica (Estética), and Organic Nails (Técnica de Uñas) anchor industry relevance, and the Oficina de Empleabilidad provides post-graduation placement support. The institution has produced 14,000+ graduates cumulatively and currently operates with 51–100 employees.

Name

Modern HairStylist Institute

Legal name

Modern Hairstyling Institute (MHI), Inc.

Website

https://modern.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1957

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Modern Hairstyling Institute is Puerto Rico's oldest privately held beauty school (founded 1957), operating four NACCAS-accredited campuses that deliver six federally-aided cosmetology, barbering, nail, esthetics, and makeup vocational programs to aspiring licensed beauty professionals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Beauty Education

NAICS

Cosmetology and Barber Schools (611511)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Cosmetology Schools & Programs (HSALANAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Barber Training, Apprenticeship & Education (HSALABAI), Cosmetology (General) (EDAOALAA), Salon Business, Management & Retail Training (HSALANAK), Barbering (EDAOALAC)

Keywords

• Cosmetology education
• Beauty school programs
• Barbering training
• Esthetician instruction
• Nail technology courses

Headquarters

HQ city

Puerto Rico

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Program Fees: Modern Hairstyling Institute generates revenue primarily through tuition and fees charged for its educational programs. Each program has a defined duration (6–10 months) and hour requirement (600–1,000 hours). Enrollment requires a one-time fee of $35. Programs include Cosmetología Básica (1,000 hours), Cosmetología Avanzada (900 hours), Barbería (1,000 hours), Técnica de Uñas (600 hours), Estética (1,000 hours), and Maquillaje Profesional (900 hours).
2. Federal Student Financial Aid: Modern is authorized by the U.S. Department of Education to accept Pell Grant and FSEOG federal aid, which represents a significant revenue stream from federal financial assistance programs for eligible students.
3. Reválida Exam Prep Program: The institute offers intensive 3-day reválida exam prep programs at $250 for the general public and $200 for Modern graduates, generating additional revenue from both enrolled and prospective students.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Modern HairStylist Institute is a private post-secondary vocational institution that delivers licensed beauty and barbering programs across four campuses in Puerto Rico. It enrolls individual students in cosmetology, barbering, nail technology, esthetics, and professional makeup programs using a TDP (Theory, Demonstration, Practice) methodology, awarding credentials that prepare graduates for Puerto Rico board licensure and careers in salons and barbershops. The school also operates on-site Student Beauty Clinics where supervised students provide discounted services to the public as part of their practical training.

Product overview

Modern HairStylist Institute is an accredited postsecondary beauty and hairstyling school offering a portfolio of six vocational training programs: Cosmetología Básica (1,000 hours), Cosmetología Avanzada (900 hours), Barbería (1,000 hours), Técnica de Uñas (600 hours), Estética (1,000 hours), and Maquillaje Profesional (900 hours). These programs follow a unified teaching method called Teoría, Demostración y Práctica (TDP) and are delivered across four campuses in Puerto Rico (Bayamón, Carolina, Fajardo, and Arecibo). Supporting offerings include a student beauty clinic providing real-client practice, an employability office connecting graduates with employers, free admissions orientation sessions, and FAFSA financial aid assistance. The institute was founded in 1957 and holds NACCAS accreditation and US Department of Education authorization for federal Pell and FSEOG grants.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Cosmetología Básica (Basic Cosmetology) Foundational cosmetology program teaching entry-level theory, demonstration, and practice required for aspiring cosmetologists, delivered via the TDP methodology and Pivot Point International curriculum on the Bayamón, Carolina, Fajardo, and Arecibo campuses.
• Cosmetología Avanzada (Advanced Cosmetology) Advanced cosmetology program that extends foundational training with higher-level technical and professional content, designed for students who have completed Cosmetología Básica and seek a more advanced license-qualifying credential.
• Barbería (Barbering) Barbering program training students in men's grooming, clipper work, and barbering services via the TDP methodology, preparing graduates for Puerto Rico barber licensure and barbershop employment.
• Técnica de Uñas (Nail Technology) Nail technology program covering manicure, pedicure, and nail-art techniques, training students for Puerto Rico nail technician licensure and salon employment.
• Estética (Esthetics) Esthetics program covering facial treatments, skin analysis, and skin-care services, preparing students for Puerto Rico esthetician licensure and spa/salon employment.
• Maquillaje Profesional (Professional Makeup) Professional makeup program covering application techniques for beauty, bridal, editorial, and event makeup, aimed at students seeking a specialized makeup credential.
• Repaso Reválida Especialista en Belleza (Beauty Specialist Recertification Review) Continuing-education review course for licensed beauty specialists preparing to sit for the Puerto Rico recertification (reválida) exam, serving alumni and other licensed practitioners.
• Student Beauty Clinic (Clínica de Belleza) On-campus beauty clinic where supervised students provide cosmetology, barbering, esthetics, and nail services to the public at discounted rates as part of their required practical training hours.

Quantifiable outcome

• 14,000+ students graduated from the institution
• +4 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and major.

• Organic NailsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Organic Nails provides Smart System 3 and Press On Kits to Técnica de Uñas students who complete a week of perfect attendance. This partnership incentivizes attendance and provides students with professional-grade nail products as part of their training.
• Pivot Point International (Chicago)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1967Modern Hairstyling Institute was the first school in the world to join Pivot Point International of Chicago, introduced by founder Nydia Pagán de Santiago in 1967. The partnership brought the Pivot Point teaching system to Puerto Rico, which is now used by over 2,000 beauty schools globally. This partnership established the core TDP (Teoría, Demostración y Práctica) pedagogical framework used across all Modern programs.
• NACCAS (National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts & Sciences)coreOthersNACCAS is the nationally recognized accrediting agency for beauty and cosmetology arts and sciences schools. All four Modern campuses (Bayamón, Carolina, Fajardo, Arecibo) are accredited by NACCAS and approved by the Puerto Rico Council on Education. NACCAS accreditation is required for institutions to receive federal student aid.
• Wella EducationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWella Education is a professional hair color and care training partner. Modern Hairstyling Institute's programs benefit from Wella's professional colorimetry and hair treatment curriculum, enhancing student training in hair coloring and styling techniques.
• Dermalogica Partnership SchoolmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerModern is recognized as a Dermalogica Partnership School, integrating the brand's professional skincare curriculum into its Estética program. This partnership provides students with training using Dermalogica products and techniques for facials and skin treatments.
• AHPR (Asociación de Haitos de Puerto Rico)minorOthersAHPR's product seal is displayed on Modern's website as a recognized industry association partner in Puerto Rico's beauty industry.
• San Juan Beauty ShowmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerModern Hairstyling Institute maintains an active booth at the San Juan Beauty Show, Puerto Rico's premier beauty industry trade event, where it promotes its programs and connects with prospective students and industry professionals. Modern's Técnica de Uñas program has been recognized with awards at this event.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Aveda Institutes: Network of cosmetology and esthetics schools affiliated with the Aveda brand, offering federally-aided vocational programs in cosmetology and esthetics. Comparable to Modern's professional-brand-partnership model (Modern partners with Dermalogica and Wella; Aveda Institutes leverage the Aveda parent brand for curriculum and recruitment).
• Paul Mitchell Schools: Network of independently owned cosmetology and barbering schools across the U.S., operating under the Paul Mitchell brand. Directly comparable to Modern in program structure (cosmetology, barbering, esthetics), NACCAS accreditation, and federal-aid-eligible student base, with brand differentiation through the Paul Mitchell Systems partnership.
• Penrose Academy: Single-campus cosmetology, esthetics, and makeup artistry school in Arizona with NACCAS accreditation. Comparable to Modern in program mix and federal-aid authorization, with similar emphasis on practical training and professional placement.
• Ogle School: Texas-based chain of cosmetology, barbering, esthetics, and nail technology schools with NACCAS accreditation. Comparable to Modern in multi-program structure, federal-aid authorization, and multi-campus operations, with similar program durations designed around state licensure.
• Xenon International Academy: Multi-state cosmetology, esthetics, and nail technology academy with NACCAS accreditation. Comparable to Modern in mid-sized multi-campus vocational model, federal aid authorization, and program structure aligned to state licensing requirements.
• Tricoci University of Beauty Culture: Multi-campus cosmetology, esthetics, and nail technology school in the U.S. Midwest, with programs aligned to state licensing requirements. Comparable to Modern in NACCAS accreditation, multi-program portfolio, and federal-aid-eligible enrollment, though operating in mainland U.S. markets rather than a single Caribbean jurisdiction.

Others

• Pivot Point International: Chicago-based curriculum and educational technology provider for cosmetology schools worldwide, with content used by over 2,000 beauty schools globally. Comparable to Modern as a long-standing content and curriculum partner since 1967, and adjacent as the upstream ecosystem supplier for the broader vocational beauty education industry.

Broad incumbents

• Empire Beauty Schools: Largest cosmetology school chain in the United States, operating 80+ campuses nationwide offering cosmetology, esthetics, and nail technology programs. Comparable to Modern as a multi-campus, NACCAS-accredited vocational beauty school serving federal-aid-eligible students, but at substantially greater scale and broader geographic footprint.

Regional players

• ICPR Junior College: Puerto Rico-based postsecondary institution offering vocational and associate-degree programs, with overlap into beauty and wellness fields. Comparable to Modern as a Puerto Rico-based, federally-aided postsecondary vocational provider competing for the same local student demographic.
• EDP University of Puerto Rico: Multi-campus postsecondary institution in Puerto Rico offering associate and bachelor's programs including in select beauty-related fields. Comparable to Modern as a Puerto Rico-based federally-aided postsecondary institution competing for the same Spanish-speaking prospective-student pool, though with a broader academic rather than purely vocational focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/modernhairstylinginstitute
• Facebookfacebook.com/lamodern
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/modern-hairstyling-institute-cp

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Modern HairStylist Institute