Cosmetology at Empire Beauty School-Buffalo

Empire Beauty School-Buffalo's cosmetology program produces earnings that fall short of both national and state averages, with graduates earning about $1,000 less annually than typical cosmetology program graduates. At the 38th percentile nationally and 40th percentile within New York, this program consistently underperforms compared to peers. However, the debt picture tells a more favorable story—graduates leave with $13,583 in debt, which is higher than state and national medians but still results in a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.85.

The earnings trajectory shows promise, with 25% growth from year one to year four, moving graduates from $16,062 to $20,024. This growth rate suggests the program provides foundational skills that improve with experience. Within New York, significantly stronger alternatives exist—top programs like Aesthetic Science Institute produce graduates earning $22,638, about $6,600 more than Empire Beauty School graduates after four years.

For families considering this investment, the numbers suggest caution. While the debt load won't be crushing, your child would likely earn more from other New York cosmetology programs. Given the robust sample size of 100+ graduates, these earnings figures are reliable indicators of expected outcomes. Consider exploring higher-performing programs within the state that could provide better return on investment.