Cosmetology at Elaine Sterling Institute

Elaine Sterling Institute graduates start at $15,263—well below Georgia's median for cosmetology programs—but their earnings jump 62% by year four to reach $24,675. That late-career number actually exceeds every top-ranked program in Georgia except Lanier Technical College, suggesting this school may be preparing students for management roles or specialized services that take time to build clientele for.

The $13,256 debt load sits right at Georgia's median for cosmetology training, and the 0.87 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe less than one year's starting salary. With 56% of students receiving Pell grants, this program clearly serves working-class Atlantans looking to enter the beauty industry. The question is whether families can weather those first few lean years—$15,263 annually is extremely tight in Atlanta's housing market.

The trajectory matters here more than the starting point. If your child has family support or can work additional hours while building their book, this program's strong four-year outcomes make the initial struggle worthwhile. But if they need to be financially independent immediately after graduation, even the relatively modest debt becomes harder to manage on that first-year salary.