East Tennessee State University vs Brillare Beauty Institute: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but East Tennessee State University comes closer — median earnings $44,859 against a $63,932 total, vs $24,728 at Brillare Beauty Institute. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | East Tennessee State University | Brillare Beauty Institute |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $15,983 | $17,894 |
| Total net cost | $63,932 | $71,576 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $44,859 | $24,728 |
| Median debt | $19,442 | $7,479 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$133,952 | -$544,216 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, East Tennessee State University or Brillare Beauty Institute?
East Tennessee State University, at $15,983 a year after aid versus $17,894 — a gap of $1,911 a year, or $7,644 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do East Tennessee State University or Brillare Beauty Institute graduates earn more?
East Tennessee State University graduates report a median $44,859 ten years after entry, $20,131 more than the $24,728 at Brillare Beauty Institute. 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, East Tennessee State University or Brillare Beauty Institute?
Brillare Beauty Institute: its completers carry a median $7,479 in federal loans versus $19,442 at East Tennessee State University, a difference of $11,963. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
84% of students finish at Brillare Beauty Institute, against 53% at East Tennessee State University. 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.