2026 data College Scorecard official source

Affordable Alternatives to North Florida Cosmetology Institute

Open-data reference.

We found 6 schools structurally similar to North Florida Cosmetology Institute that cost less. 6 offer comparable or better earnings outcomes.

Your School

North Florida Cosmetology Institute

Tallahassee, Florida · Private For-Profit

$12,136
Net Price
$23,615
Median Earnings (10yr)
N/A
Acceptance Rate
N/A
Graduation Rate

What the IPEDS & College Scorecard Data Shows for Alternatives to North Florida Cosmetology Institute

North Florida Cosmetology Institute posts an average net price of $12,136 after grants and scholarships, the IPEDS-derived figure used to anchor this alternatives search. We screened institutions in the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System for colleges that report a lower net price and share structural similarity with North Florida Cosmetology Institute across six dimensions — ownership sector, Carnegie classification, undergraduate enrollment, admission rate, graduate earnings, and completion rate. 6 institutions cleared a 40-percent similarity threshold.

The maximum possible savings across this list is $4,107, achieved by Central School of Practical Nursing at $8,029. Of greater interest to ROI-focused applicants: 6 of the 6 alternatives also report median 10-year earnings at or above North Florida Cosmetology Institute’s $23,615, meaning lower cost is not paired with lower earnings. The mean median-earnings figure across alternatives is $67,353.

The similarity scoring treats enrollment size, Carnegie classification, and ownership sector as high-weight features because those structural attributes correlate most strongly with student experience and post-graduation outcomes in the College Scorecard literature. Admission rate and graduation rate enter as secondary features, while net price drives the cost-ranking that determines which institutions appear. Net price is an IPEDS-reported figure calculated as the average cost of attendance minus institutional and federal grants for first-time, full-time undergraduates receiving Title IV aid — so it already accounts for the aid a typical admitted student would receive. That makes it a more honest cost comparison than sticker-price tuition alone.

Similar Schools That Cost Less

6
Alternatives Found
$4,107
Max Savings
6
Better Value Options
53%
Best Match

Top 5 alternatives by 10-yr earnings

Top 5 alternatives by 10-yr earnings Horizontal bar chart of the top 5 items by value (USD). Top 5 alternatives by 10-yr earnings Top 5 1. HCA Florida Mercy Hospital S $72k 2. University of Connecticut-Wa $74k 3. Trinity Health System School $72k 4. Eastern Suffolk BOCES $63k 5. Eastern Suffolk BOCES $63k Compared to North Florida Cosmetology Institute: $24k.

Source: U.S. Department of Education — College Scorecard Institution-level earnings + cost-of-attendance file · 2024 (latest release) Median 10-year earnings reflect federal-aid recipients only; net price reflects sticker price minus average grants/scholarships.

School Net Price Savings Earnings (10yr) Graduation Similarity
HCA Florida Mercy Hospital School of Practical Nursing
Miami, FL · Private For-Profit Better Value
$9,109 -$3,027 $72,275 N/A 53%
University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus
Waterbury, CT · Public Better Value
$10,875 -$1,261 $73,997 56.1% 40%
Trinity Health System School of Nursing
Steubenville, OH · Private Nonprofit Better Value
$9,825 -$2,311 $71,660 N/A 40%
Eastern Suffolk BOCES
Riverhead, NY · Public Better Value
$10,121 -$2,015 $63,394 N/A 40%
Eastern Suffolk BOCES
Oakdale, NY · Public Better Value
$11,330 -$806 $63,394 N/A 40%
Central School of Practical Nursing
Norfolk, VA · Public Better Value
$8,029 -$4,107 $59,399 N/A 40%

How We Match Schools

Our similarity engine compares schools across six dimensions: institution type (Carnegie classification), ownership (public/private), enrollment size, admission selectivity, graduate earnings, and completion rates. Each dimension is weighted by its impact on student outcomes.

Only schools with a lower average net price than North Florida Cosmetology Institute are shown. Schools marked "Better Value" have comparable or higher median earnings at a lower cost.

Data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are median values 10 years after enrollment, drawn from U.S. Treasury tax records. Net price is the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students, as reported through IPEDS.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are cheaper alternatives to North Florida Cosmetology Institute?
We found 6 schools similar to North Florida Cosmetology Institute that cost less. The closest match is HCA Florida Mercy Hospital School of Practical Nursing with 53% similarity and a net price of $9,109.
What is the ROI of attending North Florida Cosmetology Institute?
North Florida Cosmetology Institute has an average net price of $12,136. Graduates earn a median of $23,615 ten years after enrollment. The earnings-to-cost ratio is 1.9x.
Are there schools with better outcomes than North Florida Cosmetology Institute for less money?
Yes — 6 of 6 alternatives offer comparable or higher median earnings at a lower net price. HCA Florida Mercy Hospital School of Practical Nursing costs $9,109 (saving $3,027) with median earnings of $72,275.
What is the cheapest alternative to North Florida Cosmetology Institute?
The most affordable similar school is Central School of Practical Nursing at $8,029, saving $4,107 compared to North Florida Cosmetology Institute. It has a 40% similarity score.
How do alternative schools' earnings compare?
The 6 alternatives have an average median earnings of $67,353 compared to North Florida Cosmetology Institute's $23,615. On average, alternatives match or exceed this school's earnings. Individual results vary — check the comparison table above.

Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.