Coba Academy
Anaheim, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
- Barbering
- Cosmetology
GI Bill students (all programs): 7Accredited (hybrid)
VA-approved barber and cosmetology programs in California
- Page last updated October 23, 2026
- VA data retrieved October 23, 2026 (Comparison Tool data version 1522)
Quick answer
Barber and cosmetology training in California is spread across 68 cities, with San Diego the largest at 7 locations.
VA's GI Bill® Comparison Tool lists 100 barber and cosmetology training locations in California with 188 approved programs: 90 with school programs and 10 with apprenticeship or on-the-job training. 11 have a VA caution flag.
Before you enroll, open the VA profile to confirm the exact program, and ask the School Certifying Official to confirm your start date. [VA: Choosing a GI Bill approved school]
100 locations, by city
VA profile for Coba Academy (opens VA Comparison Tool)
Get Faded Barber and Beauty College
Bakersfield, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
- Barber
- Cosmetology
Not accredited (accreditation is not required for VA approval of many trade programs)
Lyle's College of Beauty
Bakersfield, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
- Cosmetology 1000
GI Bill students (all programs): 5Accredited
Baldwin Park Adult and Community Education
Baldwin Park, CA
VA-approved
School program Public
VA caution flag
- Barbering
- Cosmetology
VA caution flag: School placed on Heightened Cash Monitoring. The Department of Education has placed this school on Heightened Cash Monitoring because of financial or federal compliance issues. Learn more about Heightened Cash Monitoring
GI Bill students (all programs): 17Accredited (national)
Barstow Community College
Barstow, CA
VA-approved
School program Public
- Certificate: Cosmetology
GI Bill students (all programs): 99Accredited
American Beauty Academy - Brawley
Brawley, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
- Barbering
- Cosmetology
Not accredited (accreditation is not required for VA approval of many trade programs)
Bellus Academy Chula Vista
Chula Vista, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
- Advanced Barbering
- Advanced Cosmetology
- Barbering Cosmetology
- Barbering Foundation
- Cosmetology Foundation
GI Bill students (all programs): 98Accredited (hybrid)Student complaints in VA data: 2
Fourm Education Cosmetology and Barbering Aprenticeship
Chula Vista, CA
VA-approved
Apprenticeship Employer / sponsor
- Barber
Vr Professional Beauty Academy INC
City of Industry, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
- Cosmetology
Not accredited (accreditation is not required for VA approval of many trade programs)
Institute of Technology-Clovis
Clovis, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
- Barbering
- Cosmetology
GI Bill students (all programs): 79Accredited (national)
Compton College
Compton, CA
VA-approved
School program Public
- Cosmetology Cosmetology Level I
- Cosmetology Cosmetology Level II
GI Bill students (all programs): 31Accredited
Urban Barber College
Concord, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
- Barbering
GI Bill students (all programs): 11Accredited (hybrid)
Show all 100 locations
Advance Beauty Techs Academy
Corona, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
VA caution flag
- Barbering
- Cosmetology
VA caution flag: School placed on Heightened Cash Monitoring. The Department of Education has placed this school on Heightened Cash Monitoring because of financial or federal compliance issues. Learn more about Heightened Cash Monitoring
GI Bill students (all programs): 8Accredited (hybrid)
Ja School of Hairdressing
Corona, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
- Barber
- Cosmetology
Not accredited (accreditation is not required for VA approval of many trade programs)
Salon Success Academy Corona
Corona, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
- Cosmetology
GI Bill students (all programs): 20Accredited (regional)
Paul Mitchell the School Costa Mesa
Costa Mesa, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
- Barbering
- Cosmetology
GI Bill students (all programs): 26Accredited (hybrid)
Bellus Academy El Cajon
El Cajon, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
- Advanced Cosmetology
- Cosmetology 102
- Cosmetology 104
- Cosmetology Foundation
GI Bill students (all programs): 24Accredited (hybrid)
Southern California College of Barber and Beauty
Escondido, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
- Barber 1000 Hours
- Barber-1200 Hr
- Cosmetology Hours
- Cosmetology-1200 Hr
GI Bill students (all programs): 17Accredited
Tnn Beauty Barber Cosmetology Permanent Makeup Apprenticeship of Ca Training Ctr
Escondido, CA
VA-approved
Apprenticeship Employer / sponsor
- Barber
- Cosmetology
Fredrick and Charles Beauty College
Eureka, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
- Barbering
- Cosmetology
GI Bill students (all programs): 1Accredited (hybrid)
Solano Community College
Fairfield, CA
VA-approved
School program Public
- Cosmetology
GI Bill students (all programs): 455Accredited
The Spot Apprentice Academy
Fontana, CA
VA-approved
Apprenticeship Employer / sponsor
- Barber
- Cosmetology
Lyle's College of Beauty
Fresno, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
- Cosmetology 1000
Accredited (hybrid)
Milan Institute-Clovis
Fresno, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
- Barbering
- Cosmetology
GI Bill students (all programs): 17Accredited (national)
Fullerton College
Fullerton, CA
VA-approved
School program Public
- Barbering
- Cosmetology
GI Bill students (all programs): 416Accredited
Advance Beauty College INC
Garden Grove, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
VA caution flag
- Cosmetology
VA caution flag: School has an accreditation issue. This school's accreditation has been taken away and is under appeal, or the school has been placed on probation, because it didn't meet acceptable levels of quality. Learn more about this school's accreditation
GI Bill students (all programs): 14Accredited (hybrid)
Career Academy of Beauty
Garden Grove, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
- Barbering
- Cosmetology
- Cosmo Barber
GI Bill students (all programs): 3Accredited (hybrid)
Cr'u Institute of Cosmetology & Barbering INC
Garden Grove, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
- Barber
- Cosmetology
GI Bill students (all programs): 18Accredited (hybrid)
Gavilan College
Gilroy, CA
VA-approved
School program Public
- Cosmetology
GI Bill students (all programs): 94Accredited
Citrus College
Glendora, CA
VA-approved
School program Public
- Cosmetology
GI Bill students (all programs): 184Accredited
Golden West College
Huntington Beach, CA
VA-approved
School program Public
- Cosmetology Certificate of Achievement
GI Bill students (all programs): 260Accredited
California Hair Design Academy
La Mesa, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
- Barbering
- Cosmetology
GI Bill students (all programs): 11Accredited (hybrid)
Hacienda La Puente Adult Education
La Puente, CA
VA-approved
School program Public
- Barbering
- Cosmetology
GI Bill students (all programs): 64Accredited (national)
Lancaster Beauty School
Lancaster, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
- Barbering
- Cosmetology
Accredited (hybrid)
John Wesley International Barber and Beauty College
Long Beach, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
VA caution flag
- Barber
- Cosmetology
VA caution flag: School has an accreditation issue. This school's accreditation has been taken away and is under appeal, or the school has been placed on probation, because it didn't meet acceptable levels of quality. Learn more about this school's accreditation
GI Bill students (all programs): 9Accredited (hybrid)
Belmont Service Area
Los Angeles, CA
VA-approved
School program Public
- Barbering
- Cosmetology
Not accredited (accreditation is not required for VA approval of many trade programs)
Borners Barber College
Los Angeles, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
- Basic Barber Stylist
GI Bill students (all programs): 9Accredited (hybrid)
Los Angeles College of Aesthetics
Los Angeles, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
VA caution flag
- Barbering
- Cosmetology
- Cosmetology Spanish
VA caution flag: School placed on Heightened Cash Monitoring. The Department of Education has placed this school on Heightened Cash Monitoring because of financial or federal compliance issues. Learn more about Heightened Cash Monitoring
GI Bill students (all programs): 8Accredited (hybrid)
Los Angeles Trade Technical College
Los Angeles, CA
VA-approved
School program Public
- Barbering
- Cosmetology
GI Bill students (all programs): 246Accredited
Neihule Academy of Beauty
Los Angeles, CA
VA-approved
School program Private
- Cosmetology
Not accredited (accreditation is not required for VA approval of many trade programs)
Paul Mitchell the School Modesto
Modesto, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
VA caution flag
- Barbering
- Cosmetology
VA caution flag: School has an accreditation issue. This school's accreditation has been taken away and is under appeal, or the school has been placed on probation, because it didn't meet acceptable levels of quality. Learn more about this school's accreditation
GI Bill students (all programs): 13Accredited (hybrid)
Simply Divine Academy
Monrovia, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
- Barbering
- Cosmetology
Not accredited (accreditation is not required for VA approval of many trade programs)
Academy for Salon Professionals
Northridge, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
- Cosmetology 1000
- Cosmetology 1200
GI Bill students (all programs): 5Accredited (hybrid)
Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA
VA-approved
School program Public
- Cosmetology
Accredited
Laney College
Oakland, CA
VA-approved
School program Public
- Cosmetology Certificate of Achievement
GI Bill students (all programs): 53Accredited
Quattro Barber College Corp Dba Moler Barber College
Oakland, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
- Barbering 1000HRS
- Cosmetology
GI Bill students (all programs): 14Accredited (national)
West Coast Barber College
Oceanside, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
- Basic Barbering Course
GI Bill students (all programs): 11Accredited
Butte College
Oroville, CA
VA-approved
School program Public
- Cosmetology Coa
GI Bill students (all programs): 297Accredited
Dream International Beauty Academy INC
Oxnard, CA
VA-approved
Apprenticeship Employer / sponsor
- Barber
- Cosmetologist
Elite Cosmetology School
Palm Desert, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
VA caution flag
- Barbering
- Cosmetology
VA caution flag: School placed on Heightened Cash Monitoring. The Department of Education has placed this school on Heightened Cash Monitoring because of financial or federal compliance issues. Learn more about Heightened Cash Monitoring
GI Bill students (all programs): 9Accredited (hybrid)
International School of Beauty
Palm Desert, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
- Barbering
- Cosmetology
GI Bill students (all programs): 15Accredited (hybrid)
Pasadena City College
Pasadena, CA
VA-approved
School program Public
- Cosmetology
GI Bill students (all programs): 378Accredited
Paul Mitchell the School-Pasadena
Pasadena, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
VA caution flag
- Barbering 1000
- Cosmetology 1000
- Cosmetology 1200
VA caution flag: School has an accreditation issue. This school's accreditation has been taken away and is under appeal, or the school has been placed on probation, because it didn't meet acceptable levels of quality. Learn more about this school's accreditation
GI Bill students (all programs): 17Accredited (hybrid)Student complaints in VA data: 1
Design's School of Cosmetology
Paso Robles, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
- Certificate: Cosmetology
GI Bill students (all programs): 4Accredited (hybrid)
Paul Mitchell the School East Bay
Pleasant Hill, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
- Barbering
- Cosmetology
GI Bill students (all programs): 14Accredited (hybrid)
Bellus Academy Poway
Poway, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
- Advanced Barbering
- Advanced Cosmetology
- Barbering Cosmetology
- Barbering Foundation
- Cosmetology Foundation
GI Bill students (all programs): 71Accredited (hybrid)
Shasta School of Cosmetology
Redding, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
- Barbering
- Cosmetology
GI Bill students (all programs): 4Accredited (hybrid)
Western Barber Institute
Reseda, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
- Barbering
Not accredited (accreditation is not required for VA approval of many trade programs)
Central Valley Barber College
Riverbank, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
- Barbering
GI Bill students (all programs): 4Accredited
Eminence Barber Academy
Riverside, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
- Barbering
Not accredited (accreditation is not required for VA approval of many trade programs)
Riverside City College
Riverside, CA
VA-approved
School program Public
- Barbering Concepts
- Cosmetology Business Admin-Entrepre
- Cosmetology Business Admin-Mngt and Sup
- Cosmetology Concepts
GI Bill students (all programs): 510Accredited
Salon Success Academy Riverside
Riverside, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
- Barbering
- Cosmetology
GI Bill students (all programs): 7Accredited (regional)
Southern California Barbers Apprenticeship Council
Riverside, CA
VA-approved
Apprenticeship Employer / sponsor
- Barber
Hoss Lee Academy
Roseville, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
- Cosmetology
GI Bill students (all programs): 10Accredited (hybrid)
California Barbering & Apprenticeship
Sacramento, CA
VA-approved
Apprenticeship Employer / sponsor
- Barber
- Cosmetology
Campus
Sacramento, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
- Barbering
- Cosmetology
- Cosmetology and Barbering
GI Bill students (all programs): 43Accredited
Federico Beauty Institute
Sacramento, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
- Barber
- Cosmetology
GI Bill students (all programs): 16Accredited (hybrid)
Mixed Institute of Cosmetology
Sacramento, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
- Barbering
- Cosmetology
GI Bill students (all programs): 8Accredited (hybrid)
Paul Mitchell the School-Sacramento
Sacramento, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
- Barbering
- Cosmetology
GI Bill students (all programs): 29Accredited (hybrid)
Sacramento City College
Sacramento, CA
VA-approved
School program Public
- Cosmetology
GI Bill students (all programs): 383Accredited
San Bernardino Beauty College
San Bernardino, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
- Barbering
- Cosmetologist
GI Bill students (all programs): 4Accredited (hybrid)
Skyline College
San Bruno, CA
VA-approved
School program Public
- Barbering
- Cosmetology
GI Bill students (all programs): 215Accredited
Aaa Beauty College
San Diego, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
- Barbering
- Cosmetology
Not accredited (accreditation is not required for VA approval of many trade programs)
Associated Barber College of San Diego
San Diego, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
- Barbering 1000
- Barbering 1200
- Barbering 1500
- Cosmetology 1000
- Cosmetology 1500
GI Bill students (all programs): 48Accredited (hybrid)
California Barber and Beauty College
San Diego, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
VA caution flag
- Barber 1000 Hours
- Barbering 1200 Hours
VA caution flag: School placed on Heightened Cash Monitoring. The Department of Education has placed this school on Heightened Cash Monitoring because of financial or federal compliance issues. Learn more about Heightened Cash Monitoring
GI Bill students (all programs): 16Accredited (hybrid)
Paul Mitchell the School San Diego
San Diego, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
- Barbering
- Cosmetology
- Cosmetology and Barbering
GI Bill students (all programs): 69Accredited (hybrid)
Riggins Urban Barber and Beauty College
San Diego, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
- Barber 1000
- Barber Course
- Cosmetology
GI Bill students (all programs): 51AccreditedStudent complaints in VA data: 2
San Diego City College
San Diego, CA
VA-approved
School program Public
- Coa-Cosmetology
GI Bill students (all programs): 911Accredited
San Diego Cosmetology Apprenticeship Committee
San Diego, CA
VA-approved
Apprenticeship Employer / sponsor
- Cosmetologist
Cinta Aveda Institute
San Francisco, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
VA caution flag
- Advanced Cosmetology
- Barbering
- Cosmetology
VA caution flag: School has an accreditation issue. This school's accreditation has been taken away and is under appeal, or the school has been placed on probation, because it didn't meet acceptable levels of quality. Learn more about this school's accreditation
VA caution flag: School placed on Heightened Cash Monitoring. The Department of Education has placed this school on Heightened Cash Monitoring because of financial or federal compliance issues. Learn more about Heightened Cash Monitoring
GI Bill students (all programs): 25Accredited (hybrid)Student complaints in VA data: 2
San Francisco Institute of Esthetics and Cosmetology
San Francisco, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
- Barbering
- Cosmetology
GI Bill students (all programs): 42Accredited (hybrid)
Paul Mitchell the School San Jose
San Jose, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
- Cosmetology
GI Bill students (all programs): 5Accredited
San Jose City College
San Jose, CA
VA-approved
School program Public
- Cosmetology- Level 3
GI Bill students (all programs): 172Accredited
Palomar Institute of Cosmetology
San Marcos, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
- Cosmetology
GI Bill students (all programs): 18Accredited (hybrid)
College of San Mateo
San Mateo, CA
VA-approved
School program Public
- Cosmetology
GI Bill students (all programs): 214AccreditedStudent complaints in VA data: 1
Hierarch Barber and Cosmetology Apprentice Academy
Santa Ana, CA
VA-approved
Apprenticeship Employer / sponsor
- Barber
- Cosmetologist
Santa Monica College
Santa Monica, CA
VA-approved
School program Public
- Barbering
- Cosmetology
GI Bill students (all programs): 364Accredited
Paul Mitchell the School Sherman Oaks
Sherman Oaks, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
- Barbering 1000
- Cosmetology 1000
- Cosmetology 1500
GI Bill students (all programs): 23Accredited (hybrid)
Swarthy's Apprenticeship
South Pasadena, CA
VA-approved
Apprenticeship Employer / sponsor
- Barber
- Cosmetologist
California College of Barbering and Cosmetology
Stockton, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
- Barbering
- Cosmetology
GI Bill students (all programs): 10Accredited (hybrid)
Paul Mitchell the School Temecula
Temecula, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
- Barbering
- Cosmetology
GI Bill students (all programs): 54Accredited (hybrid)Student complaints in VA data: 1
El Camino College
Torrance, CA
VA-approved
School program Public
- Cosmetology Level II
GI Bill students (all programs): 338Accredited
Salon Success Academy
Upland, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
- Barbering
- Cosmetology
GI Bill students (all programs): 14Accredited (regional)
Hinton Barber and Beauty College
Vallejo, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
- Barbering
- Cosmetology
GI Bill students (all programs): 3Accredited (hybrid)
Bridges Beauty College
Victorville, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
VA caution flag
- Barbering
- Cosmetology
VA caution flag: School placed on Heightened Cash Monitoring. The Department of Education has placed this school on Heightened Cash Monitoring because of financial or federal compliance issues. Learn more about Heightened Cash Monitoring
GI Bill students (all programs): 10Accredited (hybrid)
College of the Sequoias
Visalia, CA
VA-approved
School program Public
- Cert Cosmetology
GI Bill students (all programs): 272Accredited
Estes Institute of Cosmetology Arts & Sciences
Visalia, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
- Certificate: Cosmetology
GI Bill students (all programs): 2Accredited (hybrid)
American Beauty College
West Covina, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
- Barbering
- Cosmetology
GI Bill students (all programs): 8Accredited (hybrid)
Jama's Beauty and Barber College
West Hills, CA
VA-approved
School program For-profit
- Barbering
- Cosmetology
Accredited
Dream International Beauty Academy INC
Westlake Village, CA
VA-approved
Apprenticeship Employer / sponsor
- Barber
- Cosmetologist
Source: VA GI Bill Comparison Tool program data, retrieved October 23, 2026. School details come from VA's data file dated October 8, 2026. The list is sorted by city, then name. It isn't a ranking.
Common questions
How many GI Bill-approved barber and cosmetology programs are in California?
VA's GI Bill Comparison Tool lists 188 approved programs at 100 locations in California as of October 23, 2026. That's about 6% of the 1,563 barber and cosmetology locations in VA's data nationally. By type: 65 for-profit schools, 24 public colleges and technical schools, 10 employers and apprenticeship sponsors, 1 private nonprofit school.
Which cities in California have barber and cosmetology programs?
By number of locations: San Diego (7), Sacramento (6), Los Angeles (5), Riverside (4), Corona (3), Garden Grove (3) and 62 more cities.
Are there paid barber and cosmetology apprenticeships in California that take the GI Bill?
Yes. 10 locations offer VA-approved on-the-job training in California (17 programs); 10 of them are registered apprenticeships. With the Post-9/11 GI Bill, you're paid wages plus a monthly housing payment that steps down every six months.
[VA: GI Bill Comparison Tool] [VA: On-the-job training and apprenticeships]
Do any barber and cosmetology schools in California have VA caution flags?
Yes. 11 locations have a VA caution flag. Each flag is shown on its listing in VA's wording. Read it before you enroll.
Other trades in California
← All Barber & Cosmetology programs · Does the GI Bill cover barber or cosmetology school?
Sources
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, “GI Bill Comparison Tool”. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, “GI Bill Comparison Tool data (ComparisonToolData.xlsx)”. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, “Choosing a GI Bill approved school”. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.