Cosmetology at Empire Beauty School-Savannah

Empire Beauty School-Savannah's cosmetology program delivers below-average earnings outcomes that should give parents pause. Graduates earn just $15,322 in their first year—significantly below both the national median of $17,113 and Georgia's median of $16,832. Among Georgia's 45 cosmetology programs, this ranks in only the 40th percentile, meaning 60% of in-state alternatives produce better results.

The debt picture offers some relief, with graduates owing $10,667 compared to Georgia's typical $12,831 for cosmetology programs. However, this moderate debt advantage doesn't offset the earnings gap. The debt-to-first-year-earnings ratio of 0.70 is manageable, but when you're starting at such low wages, every dollar of debt matters more. Even after four years, earnings only grow to $18,075—still trailing what graduates from top Georgia programs like Lanier Technical College ($22,686) earn right out of school.

For families considering this investment, the numbers suggest looking elsewhere within Georgia first. Several technical colleges deliver substantially better earning potential for similar or lower debt loads. While cosmetology can provide stable employment, Empire Beauty School-Savannah appears to underperform compared to readily available in-state alternatives that could position your child for stronger financial outcomes from day one.