Cosmetology at Sandra Academy of Salon Services

Sandra Academy graduates earn less than $11,000 annually even four years after completing their cosmetology certificate—roughly 40% below Tennessee's median for beauty school graduates and ranking in just the 10th percentile statewide. To put that in perspective, other Tennessee cosmetology programs like The Salon Professional Academy-Nashville post earnings above $25,000, and even the state's technical colleges typically see graduates earning over $22,000. Meanwhile, students here leave with nearly $15,000 in debt, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.43—meaning graduates owe more than they'll earn in their first year.

The 89% Pell grant rate indicates this program primarily serves low-income students who can least afford a credential that doesn't improve their earning potential. Something is fundamentally broken when graduates earn barely above minimum wage part-time work four years out, and their earnings actually decline slightly over time rather than grow. With 47 cosmetology programs across Tennessee, families have substantially better options that lead to viable salon careers.

For parents considering this program: Tennessee offers multiple cosmetology schools where graduates earn double what Sandra Academy's do. The licensing requirements are the same statewide, so the dramatically lower outcomes here suggest issues with job placement, training quality, or both. This investment is unlikely to pay off.