Cosmetology at Empire Beauty School-Green Bay

This Empire Beauty School program delivers earnings that exceed the national average for cosmetology but falls short within Wisconsin's competitive landscape. With first-year earnings of $18,639, graduates earn about $1,500 more than the typical cosmetology program nationally. However, the program ranks in just the 40th percentile among Wisconsin cosmetology schools, where the state median is significantly higher at $21,659.

The debt picture is notably positive—at $13,849, students graduate with relatively low debt that represents less than three-quarters of their first-year earnings. This debt load sits in the 13th percentile nationally, meaning 87% of similar programs nationwide saddle students with more debt. The earnings trajectory shows modest but steady growth, reaching $20,245 by year four.

The challenge is Wisconsin's unusually strong cosmetology market, where top programs like Waukesha County Technical College produce graduates earning over $27,000. While this program offers reasonable value with manageable debt and decent national performance, families should weigh whether the lower earnings potential compared to other in-state options justifies the investment, especially given that several Wisconsin schools achieve 20-30% higher starting salaries.