Is PCI Academy-Ames worth it?
PCI Academy-Ames is a private for-profit, two-year institution in Ames, Iowa (small city), part of the PCI Academy system. It awarded 121 certificates in 2024, most often in aesthetician and skin care specialist, cosmetology and massage therapy.
PCI Academy-Ames is part of PCI Academy
Employer, job title and found-employed figures are reported for the whole system, not for this campus. Federal data on this page is for this campus only.
See PCI Academy, 3 campusesFederal data
Federal context for PCI Academy-Ames
Published by the federal government for federally aided students. It does not say which employers hire graduates.
Median earnings 1 year after
$24,193
Median earnings 4 years after
$37,914
Median earnings 10 years after
$31,330
Average net price
$20,533
Completion rate
77%
Completions (2024)
121
Years to pay back
2.2 years
Students (undergrad)
176
Median earnings after completing, by program
| Program | Credential | Median earnings, 1yr | Median earnings, 4yr | Graduates counted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Undergraduate certificate | $24,178 | $36,179 | 229 |
| Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services | Undergraduate certificate | $26,872 | $41,251 | 27 |
Source: College Scorecard, June 2026 release, and IPEDS. Earnings cover federally aided students only, so they do not cover every graduate.
Awards conferred, by program
| Program | Award level | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| Aesthetician/Esthetician and Skin Care Specialist | Certificate 12 weeks to 1 yr | 73 |
| Cosmetology/Cosmetologist, General | Certificate 2-4 yrs | 43 |
| Massage Therapy/Therapeutic Massage | Certificate 12 weeks to 1 yr | 5 |
| Cosmetology/Cosmetologist, General | Certificate 1-2 yrs | 0 |
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Sources: federal figures for PCI Academy-Ames. Federal figures from College Scorecard and IPEDS. Occupation pay from Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS for Iowa. Counts under 10 are not published.
Updated September 18, 2026 · Methodology · Report a problem with this page