Is Inner State Beauty School Accredited?

Updated

Inner State Beauty School describes itself as an accredited institution. Its site states that it is "an accredited institution offering cosmetology, esthetics, and manicuring programs," and the school's own description repeats that it is "a beauty and barber school dedicated to helping you thrive." So the short answer is: the school presents itself as accredited, but the site does not name the accrediting agency or list which programs are covered. If accreditation matters to your licensing or financial-aid plans, confirm the specific agency and program coverage directly with the school before enrolling.

What the school says about accreditation

The available information comes from the school's own materials, which include these claims:

  • It is described as "an accredited institution."
  • It offers programs in Cosmetology, Esthetics, Manicuring, and Barbering.
  • It also provides "salon or shop quality student services to our patrons at affordable prices."

What the materials do not include: the name of the accrediting body, the approval or license numbers, or a program-by-program accreditation list. That gap is the main thing to close before you commit.

Why the specific accreditor matters

"Accredited" is not a single, uniform status. In the United States, beauty and barber schools are typically accredited by a national accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, and/or approved by a state board. The two are different things:

Type of approval What it generally affects
Institutional accreditation (e.g., a national accrediting agency) Eligibility for federal student aid at many schools, transferability of credits, and recognition by some employers
State board approval / licensure Whether the program's hours count toward your state license and whether you can sit for the licensing exam

A school can hold one, both, or neither, and the answer changes what you can do after graduation. Because the site does not specify, treat "accredited" as a claim to verify rather than a settled fact.

How to verify it yourself

  1. Ask the school directly. Request the name of the accrediting agency, the date of current accreditation, and which programs are covered. Ask for it in writing (email is fine).
  2. Check the agency's directory. Once you have the agency name, look up the school in that agency's official list of accredited institutions. If it is not listed, ask why.
  3. Check your state board. Confirm the school is approved to provide the hours required for the license you want in the state where you plan to work.
  4. Ask about financial aid. If you plan to use federal student aid, ask whether the school's accreditation makes its programs eligible. Accreditation status and aid eligibility are linked but not identical.
  5. Ask about license exam eligibility. Confirm that graduates of your specific program qualify to sit for the relevant state licensing exam.

Questions to ask before enrolling

  • Which accrediting agency accredits the school, and is that accreditation current?
  • Are all four programs (Cosmetology, Esthetics, Manicuring, Barbering) covered, or only some?
  • Is the school approved by the state board in the state where I intend to work?
  • Do graduates of this program qualify for the state licensing exam?
  • Does this accreditation make the program eligible for federal student aid?
  • Can you provide the agency name and accreditation details in writing?

If the school cannot or will not answer these clearly, that itself is useful information.

Bottom line

Inner State Beauty School presents itself as an accredited institution and lists cosmetology, esthetics, manicuring, and barbering among its offerings. But the public description does not identify the accrediting agency or confirm program-level coverage. Before you enroll, get the agency name in writing, verify it against that agency's official directory, and confirm state board approval for the license you are pursuing. Accreditation affects licensing and aid eligibility, so it is worth the extra step.