Career Training Path › Georgia › Elaine Sterling Institute
Elaine Sterling Institute
Atlanta, Georgia · Private for-profit career college · Training programs available:
Address: 3393 Peachtree RD Ne, Atlanta, GA 30326 · Phone: 40425652280 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Elaine Sterling Institute is a private for-profit trade school in Atlanta, Georgia, offering esthetician, nail technician, and massage therapy programs, accredited by the Council on Occupational Education.
Elaine Sterling Institute has a 66.6% completion rate, above the Georgia state average of 49.7%, and graduates carry a median debt of $9,500, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Median earnings 10 years after entry are not reported for this campus.
Annual cost of attendance at Elaine Sterling Institute is $34,770, and the school participates in federal financial aid (Title IV), with 64.2% of students receiving Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skincare specialists | $32,670 | $48,660 | $51,510 |
| Manicurists and pedicurists | $21,390 | $26,910 | $36,130 |
| Massage therapists | $19,010 | $50,820 | $76,260 |
| Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists | $17,310 | $34,560 | $48,730 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in Georgia (May 2025; national where the state figure is not published). The program table below shows what this campus's own graduates earned in their first year, whatever job they took.
Trade programs at this campus
| Program | Credential | Grads / yr | Earnings, yr 1 | Earnings, yr 2 | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 400 | $20,381 | $20,140 | $9,500 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 56 | $20,381 | $20,140 | $9,500 |
| Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 31 | not reported | not reported | $7,917 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 21 | $20,381 | $20,140 | $9,500 |
Earnings are median wages and self-employment income reported to the IRS (W-2 and Schedule SE) for graduates who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled, measured in the calendar year after finishing. They are pay only: health insurance, retirement contributions and other benefits are not included.
Graduates per year from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey. Earnings and debt are College Scorecard field-of-study medians for graduates of this program at this campus (reported at the 4-digit program level, so closely related programs share a figure); "not reported" means too few graduates were counted to publish a figure.
About this school
Elaine Sterling Institute is a private for-profit trade school in Atlanta, Georgia, accredited by the Council on Occupational Education. The campus participates in federal financial aid programs (Title IV), meaning students may use FAFSA-based aid including Pell Grants. Its programs award most frequently in esthetician training, followed by nail technician and massage therapy programs, alongside cosmetology offerings across four total program families.
Federal data show a completion rate of 66.6%, above the Georgia state average of 49.7% for comparable programs. Graduates carry a median debt of $9,500. Median earnings 10 years after entry are not reported for this campus in federal data. Annual cost of attendance is listed at $34,770, and 64.2% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a large share of low-income enrollment.
This campus, with 641 undergraduate students and 508 trade program completers, is set in a large city locale and centers on shorter, hands-on personal-care and wellness training rather than multi-year associate degrees. That structure may suit students seeking a focused entry into esthetics, nail technology, or massage therapy, including adult career changers, though specific schedule lengths are not detailed here. Prospective students should verify current accreditation status directly with the Council on Occupational Education and review the school's outcomes on the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard before enrolling.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Elaine Sterling Institute offers esthetician, nail technician, massage therapy, and cosmetology programs, with esthetician training being the largest program by completions.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, the school is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education, and its accreditation status is listed as accredited.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, the school participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so FAFSA-based aid including Pell Grants can be used.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 66.6%, which is above the Georgia state average of 49.7%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates carry a median debt of $9,500 according to federal data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are not reported for this campus in federal data; check the College Scorecard link for updates.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
The reported cost of attendance is $34,770 per year.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
Elaine Sterling Institute is a private for-profit school, which can affect tuition costs and the types of financial aid outcomes compared to public institutions.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program lengths are not reported in the federal data provided; contact the school directly at the phone number or website listed to confirm program schedules.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation through the Council on Occupational Education and review federal outcome data on the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?476887.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The school's focus on shorter personal-care and wellness programs, such as esthetics and massage therapy, may suit adults seeking a quicker entry into a new field, though specific program lengths are not detailed in the data.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing requirements are not reported in the federal data provided; contact the school directly to learn about state licensing needs for esthetics, nail technology, or massage therapy.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Elaine Sterling Institute by phone at 404-256-5280 or visit their website at https://www.elainesterling.com/ for application details.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data with other nearby schools is not reported in this dataset; the College Scorecard can be used to compare completion rates, costs, and debt across similar institutions.
Other trade and career schools in Atlanta, GA
- Atlanta Technical CollegeAtlanta, GA · 49% completion
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- Paul Mitchell the School-AtlantaAtlanta, GA · 48% completion
- Empire Beauty School-NorthlakeAtlanta, GA · 22% completion
- Aveda Institute/AtlantaAtlanta, GA · state-licensed school
- International School of Skin, NailCare, and Massage TherapyAtlanta, GA · state-licensed school
- Koil Beauty InstituteAtlanta, GA · state-licensed school
- Perry Stylez medical beauty instituteAtlanta, GA · state-licensed school
See all trade and career schools in Georgia or search by ZIP code.
Data: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey; College Scorecard June 2026; Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), September 2026. Figures are the U.S. Department of Education's official measures, not Career Training Path's opinion. Tuition, schedules and program availability change — confirm with the school before enrolling.