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Nashville State Community College vs Brillare Beauty Institute: which has better ROI?

Public, Nashville TN · vs · Private nonprofit, Cleveland TN

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Nashville State Community College comes closer — median earnings $38,519 against a $13,554 total, vs $24,728 at Brillare Beauty Institute. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureNashville State Community CollegeBrillare Beauty Institute
Net price / yr$6,777$17,894
Total net cost$13,554$71,576
Median earnings, 10 yrs$38,519$24,728
Median debt$9,595$7,479
Payback
20-year net return-$210,374-$544,216

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

Which is cheaper, Nashville State Community College or Brillare Beauty Institute?

Nashville State Community College, at $6,777 a year after aid versus $17,894 — a gap of $11,117 a year, or $58,022 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Nashville State Community College or Brillare Beauty Institute graduates earn more?

Nashville State Community College graduates report a median $38,519 ten years after entry, $13,791 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, Nashville State Community College or Brillare Beauty Institute?

Brillare Beauty Institute: its completers carry a median $7,479 in federal loans versus $9,595 at Nashville State Community College, a difference of $2,116. 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 18% at Nashville State Community 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.

Nashville State Community College vs Brillare Beauty Institute: frequently asked questions

Is Nashville State Community College or Brillare Beauty Institute a better value?
Nashville State Community 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, Nashville State Community College or Brillare Beauty Institute?
Nashville State Community College: $6,777/yr net price after aid versus $17,894/yr at Brillare Beauty Institute — a difference of $11,117 a year, or about $58,022 over four years.
Do Nashville State Community College or Brillare Beauty Institute graduates earn more?
Nashville State Community College graduates earn a median $38,519 ten years after entry, versus $24,728 at Brillare Beauty Institute — a $13,791 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.