Cosmetology at Empire Beauty School-Lehigh Valley

Empire Beauty School-Lehigh Valley delivers mixed results for cosmetology students. While graduates earn slightly below the national average ($16,429 vs. $17,113), they perform better than most Pennsylvania programs, ranking in the 60th percentile statewide. More importantly, the school keeps debt manageable—at $13,583, students graduate with significantly less debt than typical cosmetology programs nationally, ranking in the 16th percentile for debt burden.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.83 means graduates can expect to earn back their full program cost within the first year, which is reasonable for this field. Earnings do grow modestly over time, reaching nearly $20,000 by year four—a 21% increase that shows career progression potential. However, it's worth noting that even the top cosmetology programs in Pennsylvania only reach around $21,000 in median earnings, indicating the field's overall income limitations.

For families considering this program, the relatively low debt load makes it a safer investment than many cosmetology schools, even if the earning potential is modest. The program serves a substantial population of Pell grant recipients (58%), suggesting it's accessible to students from various economic backgrounds. While cosmetology won't lead to high earnings, this particular school positions graduates for success without excessive debt burden.