Cosmetology at Empire Beauty School-Somersworth

Empire Beauty School-Somersworth delivers earnings that significantly exceed the national cosmetology average—graduates earn $20,596 in their first year compared to just $17,113 nationally. That 80th percentile national ranking sounds impressive, but context matters: this program actually trails other New Hampshire cosmetology schools. The state median sits at $23,332, and two other Empire locations in the state produce graduates earning around $24,000. At $9,833 in debt (nearly matching the state median), you're paying similar costs for outcomes that lag behind what's achievable elsewhere in New Hampshire.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.48 is manageable—graduates can expect to repay their loans in about six months of gross earnings. Income growth is steady at 14% over four years, reaching $23,508, which brings earnings closer to the state median but still leaves graduates behind their peers at nearby schools. With robust data from 100+ graduates, these patterns are reliable.

If your child is set on cosmetology in New Hampshire, Empire's Laconia or Hooksett locations deliver $3,500 more annually for the same debt load. This Somersworth campus isn't a bad choice—it beats most national programs handily—but within the state's small cosmetology market, it's a middle-tier option when stronger alternatives exist just miles away.