Cosmetology at Empire Beauty School-Newport News

This Empire Beauty School program delivers below-average earnings despite relatively low debt, making it a concerning investment for cosmetology training. Graduates earn $15,679 in their first year—well below Virginia's median of $19,234 for cosmetology programs and ranking in just the 25th percentile statewide. While the debt load of $13,583 is reasonable and below the 84th percentile nationally, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.87 means students are borrowing nearly a full year's income.

The earnings growth story provides some hope, with incomes jumping 30% to $20,441 by the fourth year, which aligns more closely with state and national benchmarks. However, even this improved figure trails the top Virginia programs significantly—The Esthetic Institute graduates earn $29,301, nearly 45% more than Empire's four-year mark. With robust sample sizes giving confidence in these numbers, the data suggests this program consistently underperforms compared to other Virginia cosmetology schools.

For parents considering this investment, the numbers point toward exploring alternatives. Virginia has 27 cosmetology programs, and at least five others deliver substantially higher earnings. Unless location or scheduling constraints make Empire the only viable option, students would likely see better returns from higher-performing programs in the state that could justify similar debt levels with significantly stronger earning potential.