Career Training Path › Georgia › Georgia Institute of Cosmetology
Georgia Institute of Cosmetology
Athens, Georgia · Private for-profit career college · Training programs available:
Address: 3529 Atlanta Hwy, Athens, GA 30606 · Phone: 706549640025 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Georgia Institute of Cosmetology is a private for-profit trade school in Athens, Georgia, offering cosmetology programs and accredited by the Council on Occupational Education.
Georgia Institute of Cosmetology has a 54.3% completion rate, near the Georgia state average of 49.7%, with median graduate debt of $11,273 and median earnings of $21,432 ten years after entry, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Annual cost of attendance at Georgia Institute of Cosmetology is $19,039, federal financial aid including Pell Grants can be used, and 78.2% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 114 | $16,176 | $15,844 | $10,686 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 8 | $16,176 | $15,844 | $10,686 |
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
Georgia Institute of Cosmetology is a private for-profit trade school in Athens, Georgia, accredited by the Council on Occupational Education. The school participates in federal financial aid programs, meaning eligible students can use FAFSA-based aid such as Pell Grants to help cover costs. Its primary training area is cosmetology, with 122 program completers recorded in the most recent federal data out of an undergraduate enrollment of about 200 students.
Federal Scorecard data show a completion rate of 54.3%, which is near the Georgia state average of 49.7%. Graduates carry a median debt of $11,273, and median earnings ten years after entry are reported at $21,432. The annual cost of attendance is listed at $19,039, and 78.2% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating the campus serves a largely low-income student population. Placement rates and specific job outcomes beyond these figures are not reported for this campus in federal data.
Given its single-track cosmetology focus, this campus may suit students seeking a hands-on, career-specific credential rather than a multi-year associate degree path; program length itself is not reported for this campus in federal data, so prospective students should confirm scheduling directly with the school. Anyone considering enrollment should verify current accreditation status through the Council on Occupational Education and review the school's federal outcomes directly on the College Scorecard before committing.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Georgia Institute of Cosmetology offers cosmetology programs, with 122 completers recorded in federal data, making cosmetology its primary program family.
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 aid programs, so students can use FAFSA-based aid including Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 54.3%, which is near the Georgia state average of 49.7%, according to federal data.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Median debt for graduates is reported at $11,273 per the College Scorecard.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings ten years after entry are reported at $21,432.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
The annual cost of attendance is listed at $19,039.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
Georgia Institute of Cosmetology is a private for-profit school, which can affect tuition pricing and financial aid options compared to public or non-profit schools.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program length is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school directly at 706-549-6400 or via gic.edu for schedule details.
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/?408862.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The school's single-track cosmetology program may suit career changers seeking focused, hands-on training, though specific scheduling and pacing details are not reported in federal data; contact the school to confirm fit.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing requirements for cosmetology are not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school or Georgia's cosmetology licensing board for details.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can contact Georgia Institute of Cosmetology at 706-549-6400 or through their website at https://gic.edu/.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Federal data does not provide direct comparisons with other nearby cosmetology schools; consult the College Scorecard to compare completion rates, costs, and earnings across institutions.
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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.