Creative Images Institute Closes Both Dayton-Area Campuses

The cosmetology school shut its Vandalia and Washington Township locations effective immediately on November 10, 2026.

Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Openings & Closings

Gouache-painted editorial illustration of a lone empty styling chair against a bare pale wall, suggesting a salon abruptly gone quiet. — Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology closed both Dayton-area campuses, Vandalia and Washington Township, effective immediately on November 10, 2026, leaving students without tuition guidance. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology closed both of its locations effective immediately on November 10, 2026, after employees were called into a meeting and informed of the decision. The school, which had operated for more than three decades, provided no information to students about tuition reimbursement or next steps.

Why it matters

The abrupt closure leaves current students without clear answers about their tuition and training, and the school's phone lines and website were not reliably functioning on the day of the closure. Students and prospective enrollees in the Dayton area are left to determine their options without official guidance.

The school charged between $10,000 and more than $18,000 a year for the 2023-2024 academic year and served about 70 students last year according to Niche. The school has not released a figure for outstanding tuition or refunds owed to students.

The players

Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology

A cosmetology school that operated campuses at 7535 Poe Ave. in Vandalia and 568 Miamisburg-Centerville Road in Washington Township for more than thirty years.

The details

Two Washington Township employees arrived for work on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, and were told in a meeting that both locations were closing effective immediately. The school's website still showed links for new student enrollment that afternoon, but the admissions phone numbers did not connect, and calls to the Vandalia location went unanswered.

The school opened in 1993 and operated for more than three decades.
The school's blog was last updated on October 8, 2026.
Both locations closed effective immediately on November 10, 2026.

Market Landscape

Private cosmetology and career-training schools operate on tuition revenue and enrollment volume, which makes them vulnerable to sudden closures when enrollment falls. The Creative Images closure is the kind of abrupt shutdown that has prompted state regulators to scrutinize how students are protected when vocational schools close.

Students enrolled at the school should keep records of tuition paid and program progress and ask the school in writing about refunds and transfer options. Prospective students should verify a school's status with the state before paying tuition or enrolling.

The takeaway

Before paying tuition to any career-training school, confirm its current status and refund policy in writing, since a closure can leave students with unfinished programs and no clear contact.