Chatgbt was asked, "What accredited cosmetology school in the Spokane, Wa area would be recommended based on price and quality of education?"
 

​

Given your interest in balancing price + quality + risk mitigation (and your CFO/bookkeeping lens), here’s how I’d rank them and what to ask:

• Top pick: Studio Beauty School — strong graduation rate, accredited, likely good value once you get full cost.

• Second: (Name Deleted - a second cosmetology school)

• Third: (Name Deleted - a third cosmetology school)

​

Why Studio Beauty School checks the boxes:

• It is officially accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts & Sciences (NACCAS) for its cosmetology, esthetics & related programs. Studio Beauty School+3CHEA+3Studio Beauty School+3

• It offers a Cosmetology certificate (approximately 18 months for the full program) among other shorter-program options. Career Bridge+2Studio Beauty School+2

• It promotes strong outcomes: one of their web pages states a graduation (finishing) rate of 93.58 %. Studio Beauty School

• Financing/federal aid available (they have FAFSA-code, financial aid hints). Studio Beauty School+1

• Since you’re involved in financial oversight, note that the average net price for students was ~$19,381 in 2023 (after grants/loans) according to DataUSA. Data USA

Cost & practical considerations:

• The net price figure (~$19.4 k) gives you a good ballpark of what students actually pay (not just sticker price).

• Since you are accustomed to doing EBITDA/composite-score style assessments, you’ll want to model the total cost of attendance (tuition + fees + kit + lost earnings if any) vs. likely time to licensure, job‐placement prospects, etc.

• Accreditation by NACCAS is important—makes sure the program meets recognized standards and helps mitigate risk of non-recognition.

​

Suggested next steps (for your CFO/bookkeeping review):

• Ask the school for their full cost breakdown: tuition + supplies/kit + state licensing fees + any extra program fees.

• Request the school’s graduation/licensure rate for cosmetology specifically (how many students complete and then pass the Washington State license exam).

• Ask for any job placement rates or local salon employer relationships (for Spokane/Vancouver/Valley area).

• Verify duration: 1600 hours is commonly required for cosmetology in WA (the school’s website mentions “minimum 1600 hours” for their cosmetology course). Studio Beauty School

• Model your payback timeline: e.g., given average first‐year wage for a licensed cosmetologist in Spokane, how many months to break even on educational cost.

• Confirm financing terms: interest, payment plans, student loan terms, how that fits with your risk-mitigation frameworks.

​

​

Critical questions to ask each school (for your financial/risk model)

​

1. What is the total cost of attendance (tuition + kit/tools + state licensing fee + any extra fees) for the cosmetology program.

2. What is their most recent graduation rate (percentage who complete the program within program length or extended time).

3. What is their licensure exam pass rate (for WA state cosmetology license) and job‐placement/“first employment” rate (within X months after graduation).

4. Are there financing/payment plans available? What are the typical indebtedness levels for students? (This helps your CFO/bookkeeping risk modelling).

5. What is the average start salary (or typical first-year earnings) of graduates in the Spokane/Valley region (or what their job placement advisors report).

6. What supports exist for students (remediation, tutoring, schedule flexibility) to improve completion — given your focus on risk mitigation.