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Andrew College vs Georgia Institute of Cosmetology: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Cuthbert GA · vs · Private for-profit, Athens GA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Andrew College comes closer — median earnings $38,475 against a $43,646 total, vs $21,432 at Georgia Institute of Cosmetology. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAndrew CollegeGeorgia Institute of Cosmetology
Net price / yr$21,823$14,397
Total net cost$43,646$57,588
Median earnings, 10 yrs$38,475$21,432
Median debt$12,533$11,273
Payback
20-year net return-$241,346-$596,148

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Andrew College or Georgia Institute of Cosmetology?

Georgia Institute of Cosmetology, at $14,397 a year after aid versus $21,823 — a gap of $7,426 a year, or $13,942 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Andrew College or Georgia Institute of Cosmetology graduates earn more?

Andrew College graduates report a median $38,475 ten years after entry, $17,043 more than the $21,432 at Georgia Institute of Cosmetology. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Andrew College or Georgia Institute of Cosmetology?

Georgia Institute of Cosmetology: its completers carry a median $11,273 in federal loans versus $12,533 at Andrew College, a difference of $1,260. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

54% of students finish at Georgia Institute of Cosmetology, against 33% at Andrew College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Andrew College vs Georgia Institute of Cosmetology: frequently asked questions

Is Andrew College or Georgia Institute of Cosmetology a better value?
Andrew College comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, Andrew College or Georgia Institute of Cosmetology?
Georgia Institute of Cosmetology: $14,397/yr net price after aid versus $21,823/yr at Andrew College — a difference of $7,426 a year, or about $13,942 over four years.
Do Andrew College or Georgia Institute of Cosmetology graduates earn more?
Andrew College graduates earn a median $38,475 ten years after entry, versus $21,432 at Georgia Institute of Cosmetology — a $17,043 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.