Analysis
Empire Beauty School-Concord delivers solid but not exceptional results for cosmetology training. With first-year earnings of $18,408, graduates earn about $1,200 more than both national and North Carolina medians for this field, placing the program in the 60th percentile statewide—a respectable middle-tier performance among the state's 75 cosmetology programs.
The debt picture is notably favorable. At $15,765, student debt here is significantly higher than the national median of $9,862, but it's still manageable with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.86—meaning graduates typically earn more in their first year than their total debt load. The 11% earnings growth to $20,474 by year four shows steady career progression, though modest compared to other fields.
However, there are clearly stronger options in North Carolina. Top-performing programs like Gaston College produce graduates earning $27,000+ in their first year—about 47% more than Empire's graduates. For families prioritizing return on investment, exploring these higher-performing community college programs could yield significantly better outcomes. Empire Beauty School-Concord is a viable choice that won't burden your child with excessive debt, but it's not the best value available in the state.
Where Empire Beauty School-Concord Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all cosmetology certificate's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Empire Beauty School-Concord graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Empire Beauty School-Concord | $18,408 | $20,474 | +11% |
| Aveda Institute-Chapel Hill | $21,826 | $27,243 | +25% |
| Paul Mitchell the School-Raleigh | $18,849 | $25,519 | +35% |
| Guilford Technical Community College | $17,193 | $25,271 | +47% |
| Central Carolina Community College | $24,101 | $23,264 | -3% |
Compare to Similar Programs in North Carolina
Cosmetology certificate's programs at peer institutions in North Carolina (75 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Empire Beauty School-ConcordConcord | — | $18,408 | $20,474 | $15,765 | 0.86 |
 Gaston CollegeDallas | $3,186 | $27,008 | — | — | — |
 Central Carolina Community CollegeSanford | $2,554 | $24,101 | $23,264 | $12,167 | 0.50 |
 Wake Technical Community CollegeRaleigh | $2,336 | $23,286 | — | $7,693 | 0.33 |
 Rowan-Cabarrus Community CollegeSalisbury | $2,064 | $22,578 | $22,811 | $16,500 | 0.73 |
 Aveda Institute-Chapel HillChapel Hill | — | $21,826 | $27,243 | $11,583 | 0.53 |
| National Median | — | $17,113 | — | $9,862 | 0.58 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with cosmetology graduates
Skincare Specialists
Barbers
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists
Manicurists and Pedicurists
Personal Service Managers, All Other
Fitness and Wellness Coordinators
Spa Managers
First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers
Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance
Shampooers
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Empire Beauty School-Concord, approximately 48% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 626 graduates with reported earnings and 757 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.