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Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Dickson vs Brillare Beauty Institute: which has better ROI?

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

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Dickson comes closer — median earnings $36,829 against a $59,120 total, vs $24,728 at Brillare Beauty Institute. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureTennessee College of Applied Technology-DicksonBrillare Beauty Institute
Net price / yr$14,780$17,894
Total net cost$59,120$71,576
Median earnings, 10 yrs$36,829$24,728
Median debt$7,479
Payback
20-year net return-$289,740-$544,216

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

Which is cheaper, Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Dickson or Brillare Beauty Institute?

Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Dickson, at $14,780 a year after aid versus $17,894 — a gap of $3,114 a year, or $12,456 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Dickson or Brillare Beauty Institute graduates earn more?

Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Dickson graduates report a median $36,829 ten years after entry, $12,101 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 graduates more of its students?

84% of students finish at Brillare Beauty Institute, against 74% at Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Dickson. 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.

Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Dickson vs Brillare Beauty Institute: frequently asked questions

Is Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Dickson or Brillare Beauty Institute a better value?
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Dickson 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, Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Dickson or Brillare Beauty Institute?
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Dickson: $14,780/yr net price after aid versus $17,894/yr at Brillare Beauty Institute — a difference of $3,114 a year, or about $12,456 over four years.
Do Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Dickson or Brillare Beauty Institute graduates earn more?
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Dickson graduates earn a median $36,829 ten years after entry, versus $24,728 at Brillare Beauty Institute — a $12,101 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.