Cosmetology at Empire Beauty School-Pineville

Empire Beauty School-Pineville delivers solid earnings outcomes for cosmetology training, with graduates earning $18,408 in their first year—significantly above both national ($17,113) and North Carolina ($17,193) medians for this field. Among North Carolina's 75 cosmetology programs, this school ranks in the 60th percentile, putting it in the upper tier of performance statewide.

The debt picture is particularly compelling. At $15,765, student debt here is higher than the state median ($12,999) but creates a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.86—meaning graduates can expect to earn more than their total debt in their first year. More importantly, the debt load ranks in just the 5th percentile nationally, indicating this program keeps borrowing costs relatively controlled compared to similar schools nationwide. With 49% of students receiving Pell grants, the school serves a population that genuinely needs affordable career training.

While graduates won't match the earnings at top North Carolina programs like Gaston College ($27,008), they're getting reliable preparation for steady work in cosmetology. The 11% earnings growth from year one to year four suggests decent career progression potential. For families seeking practical vocational training with manageable debt, this program offers a reasonable path to employment in the beauty industry.