Anaheim, CAprivate forprofitwww.coba.edu/
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Coba Academy is a no-frills, open-admission beauty school in Anaheim, CA, specializing in hands-on cosmetology, barbering, and esthetics training. With a 100% acceptance rate and a focus on vocational skills, it attracts students seeking a direct path into the beauty industry—though its 63% retention rate and modest graduate earnings ($17,269 after six years) reflect the challenges of the trade.
More details
Outcomes & value
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Campus & location
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Coba Academy operates on an open-admission policy, accepting all applicants who meet basic requirements: a high school diploma or GED, government-issued ID, and being at least 17 years old. There’s no SAT/ACT requirement, and the Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. is 100%—far above the national average. The school doesn’t consider demonstrated interest or academic rigor in admissions, focusing instead on accessibility for career-focused students. Notably, the Common Data Set (CDS)A standardized report most colleges publish each year with admissions, test-score, and financial-aid figures, making schools easier to compare. ranks 19 factors as 'Not considered' in their process, emphasizing minimal barriers to entry.
Coba Academy offers three vocational programs: Barbering, Cosmetology, and Esthetics, with Barbering being the most popular (32 degrees awarded annually). The student-to-faculty ratio is 13:1, allowing for personalized hands-on training. The curriculum is strictly career-focused, with no liberal arts or general education requirements. However, the 63% retention rate suggests challenges in student persistence. Counseling services are available, but the academic environment is utilitarian, geared toward licensure exams and technical skills.
Life at Coba Academy revolves around practical training rather than traditional campus activities. There’s no mention of clubs or athletics, but social media hints at a tight-knit community among beauty students. The vibe is more 'trade school' than 'college experience,' with Instagram reels showcasing salon-style camaraderie and industry networking. The school’s location in Anaheim places students near Orange County’s service economy, offering externship opportunities but little in the way of collegiate amenities.
Graduation rates are uneven: a 2023 report showed a 12.5% on-time completion rate for one cohort (just 1 of 8 students), though broader industry averages suggest 76% of beauty school students eventually finish. Median earnings six years post-graduation are $17,269, reflecting the low-wage reality of entry-level beauty jobs. Placement rates are not publicly disclosed, but the school emphasizes licensure prep—a critical hurdle for employment in California’s regulated industry.
Tuition at Coba Academy is $14,625 after aid, with the average student receiving $4,454 in scholarships or grants. Federal financial aid is available via FAFSA, including Pell Grants and loans, but the school lacks a no-loan policy or full-need meeting guarantee. The Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. Calculator warns students to budget for tools and supplies beyond tuition. Notably, 76% of beauty school graduates nationally take on debt, though Coba’s exact figures aren’t published.
Coba Academy’s singular focus on beauty trades makes it a pragmatic choice for students seeking licensure—not a degree. Its 100% acceptance rate and minimal requirements democratize access, but the low retention and earnings data underscore the trade-offs. For those committed to cosmetology, it offers a no-nonsense path; for others, it’s a reminder that vocational schools prioritize job readiness over traditional college metrics.