Cosmetology at Empire Beauty School-Laconia

Empire Beauty School-Laconia's cosmetology program achieves something rare in beauty school education: graduates earn $24,089 in their first year—well above the national median of $17,113 and ranking in the 95th percentile nationally. That's a significant advantage in a field where many programs struggle to deliver living wages. The $9,833 in student debt matches both state and national medians, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.41 that's manageable for entry-level beauty industry work. Within New Hampshire, this program sits in the middle of the pack at the 60th percentile, essentially tied with the state median and performing comparably to its sister campus in Hooksett.

What makes this data particularly encouraging is the earnings trajectory: graduates see a 10% income increase by year four, reaching $26,502. While these aren't high absolute numbers, they represent steady progress in a field where many professionals supplement salon work with tips and eventually build their own client base. The relatively low debt burden means graduates aren't trapped by payments while establishing themselves.

For parents concerned about ROI in beauty education, this program delivers above-average results with below-crushing debt. The first-year earnings cover nearly 2.5 times the annual debt load, giving graduates breathing room to build their careers. If your child is committed to cosmetology, this represents one of the stronger training options available.