Cosmetology at Image Maker Beauty Institute

Image Maker Beauty Institute's cosmetology program delivers earnings that significantly outpace national expectations but land in the middle tier for Tennessee. Graduates earn $21,451 in their first year—$4,300 above the national median and putting the program in the 88th percentile nationally. However, among Tennessee's 47 cosmetology programs, it ranks at the 60th percentile, trailing the state's top performers by $4,000-plus annually.

The debt picture is remarkably manageable. At $11,580, graduates carry just over half a year's salary in loans—considerably better than the typical cosmetology program nationally. This keeps monthly payments affordable on entry-level salon wages. The school serves a predominantly working-class population (56% receive Pell grants), and these moderate debt levels mean students aren't gambling with money they can't afford to lose.

For Tennessee families, this represents solid middle-ground territory. Your child will likely out-earn cosmetology graduates nationwide but won't reach the income levels of Tennessee's best programs. If proximity to Hendersonville matters or this school offers stronger placement relationships with local salons, that convenience could justify the choice. But if you're willing to consider Nashville-area alternatives like The Salon Professional Academy, those extra $4,000 in annual earnings would recoup any commuting costs within months.