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The University of Tennessee-Martin vs Brillare Beauty Institute: which has better ROI?

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

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but The University of Tennessee-Martin comes closer — median earnings $44,213 against a $42,804 total, vs $24,728 at Brillare Beauty Institute. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureThe University of Tennessee-MartinBrillare Beauty Institute
Net price / yr$10,701$17,894
Total net cost$42,804$71,576
Median earnings, 10 yrs$44,213$24,728
Median debt$21,024$7,479
Payback
20-year net return-$125,744-$544,216

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

Which is cheaper, The University of Tennessee-Martin or Brillare Beauty Institute?

The University of Tennessee-Martin, at $10,701 a year after aid versus $17,894 — a gap of $7,193 a year, or $28,772 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do The University of Tennessee-Martin or Brillare Beauty Institute graduates earn more?

The University of Tennessee-Martin graduates report a median $44,213 ten years after entry, $19,485 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, The University of Tennessee-Martin or Brillare Beauty Institute?

Brillare Beauty Institute: its completers carry a median $7,479 in federal loans versus $21,024 at The University of Tennessee-Martin, a difference of $13,545. 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 The University of Tennessee-Martin. 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.

The University of Tennessee-Martin vs Brillare Beauty Institute: frequently asked questions

Is The University of Tennessee-Martin or Brillare Beauty Institute a better value?
The University of Tennessee-Martin 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, The University of Tennessee-Martin or Brillare Beauty Institute?
The University of Tennessee-Martin: $10,701/yr net price after aid versus $17,894/yr at Brillare Beauty Institute — a difference of $7,193 a year, or about $28,772 over four years.
Do The University of Tennessee-Martin or Brillare Beauty Institute graduates earn more?
The University of Tennessee-Martin graduates earn a median $44,213 ten years after entry, versus $24,728 at Brillare Beauty Institute — a $19,485 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.