Cosmetology at Empire Beauty School-Tampa

Empire Beauty School-Tampa's cosmetology program delivers mixed results that warrant careful consideration. While graduates start with below-average earnings at $15,679—ranking in just the 34th percentile nationally and 40th percentile in Florida—the program shows solid earning progression, with income growing 30% to $20,441 by year four. More encouragingly, the debt load is exceptionally manageable at $13,583, placing this program in the 16th percentile nationally for debt (meaning 84% of similar programs saddle students with more debt).

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.87 means graduates owe less than one year's starting salary, which is reasonable for this field. However, the earnings gap is significant when compared to Florida's top performers—graduates from Florida State College at Jacksonville earn nearly double ($29,668) what Empire Beauty grads make initially. Among Florida's 127 cosmetology programs, this one performs slightly below the state median of $16,718.

For families considering this program, the relatively low debt burden is the strongest selling point, especially given that half the students receive Pell grants. However, the below-average starting earnings mean your child will likely need to supplement income initially or be prepared for a gradual financial climb. This could work for motivated students who plan to build their own client base over time, but it's not a pathway to immediate financial independence.