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

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

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Walters State Community College comes closer — median earnings $37,085 against a $10,774 total, vs $24,728 at Brillare Beauty Institute. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureWalters State Community CollegeBrillare Beauty Institute
Net price / yr$5,387$17,894
Total net cost$10,774$71,576
Median earnings, 10 yrs$37,085$24,728
Median debt$7,479
Payback
20-year net return-$236,274-$544,216

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

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

Walters State Community College, at $5,387 a year after aid versus $17,894 — a gap of $12,507 a year, or $60,802 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

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

Walters State Community College graduates report a median $37,085 ten years after entry, $12,357 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 33% at Walters 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.

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

Is Walters State Community College or Brillare Beauty Institute a better value?
Walters 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, Walters State Community College or Brillare Beauty Institute?
Walters State Community College: $5,387/yr net price after aid versus $17,894/yr at Brillare Beauty Institute — a difference of $12,507 a year, or about $60,802 over four years.
Do Walters State Community College or Brillare Beauty Institute graduates earn more?
Walters State Community College graduates earn a median $37,085 ten years after entry, versus $24,728 at Brillare Beauty Institute — a $12,357 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.