CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Teaching future barbers and hair stylists has been the No. 1 focus for Queen City College for almost 40 years. But the local school announced this week it will be closing its doors in 2025.
“This decision has been, unfortunately, in the making and one that was not made half-heartedly,” Chief Administrator Brandie Gross said in a statement for the college. “Our lives have revolved around Queen City College, and understanding that it is going to be gone is devastating, to say the least.”
The owners said they’re being forced to close because of a change in government regulations.
In response to a growing problem of soldiers and military families being taken advantage of by for-profit colleges and universities, the Biden administration pushed for new regulations on proprietary schools. In March 2021, the American Rescue Plan (ARP) set up a 90/10 rule that requires proprietary schools to receive no more than 90% of their income from Title IV and Higher Education Act (HEA) funds. That includes the Post 9/11 GI Bill, and the DOD Tuition Assistance program.
The new rules prevent proprietary schools from taking undue advantage of those funds, in an effort to protect service members and veterans from ineffectual degrees.
But Queen City College said the standards are designed for large colleges and universities that enroll thousands of students, and they apply equally to Queen City College, with an enrollment of only about 100 at a time.
“We will be mandated to meet new, unattainable benchmarks set for traditional colleges and universities. We are a small family-owned business that averages around a hundred students and will now be compared to traditional colleges and universities, which average tens of thousands of students. These new required metrics are impossible benchmarks that we painstakingly will never be able to meet,” Gross said.
The college will close sometime after February 2025. They have made arrangements for current students to complete their degrees. Queen City College plans to accept enrollments into the barber and cosmetology programs through Aug. 1, the esthetics program through May 7, 2024, and the nail tech program through June 4, 2024, all subject to change. They will continue to serve all clients until further notice.
“We have met, taught, helped and nurtured so many students over the past 40 years,” Gross said. “We are humbled to have had the opportunity to help you along your journey into a lifetime career. We are so proud of each student’s individual accomplishments. We value and will cherish each one of you – your stories will be told within our family forever.
“We want to thank all our loyal customers who have supported our institution and students and have become our family as well. We will miss seeing each of you regularly,” Gross said.
Queen City College was founded in March 1984 by Ralph Payne, according to Clarksville Now archives. Not long after, he married Laura Payne who was the chief administrator for many years. Almost 40 years running, QCC has provided training in cosmetology to hundreds of students.
“We have had an incredible ride and want to end on the right note,” Gross said. “While this is the most heartbreaking decision we will ever have to make, we hold our heads high, knowing that we are closing on our own terms.”
Chris Smith contributed to this report.
