Cosmetology at Empire Beauty School-Thornton

Empire Beauty School-Thornton's cosmetology program delivers below-average outcomes that should give you pause. While the debt load is refreshingly low at $14,492 (7th percentile nationally), the earnings are concerning—graduates earn $16,251 in their first year, placing this program in just the 25th percentile among Colorado cosmetology schools. More troubling, Colorado's median for cosmetology programs is $20,014, meaning students here earn about $4,000 less annually than they could at a typical in-state competitor.

The numbers tell a stark story when you look at Colorado's landscape. Top programs like Elevate Salon Institute and Aveda Institute produce graduates earning $26,000-$27,000 annually—nearly $10,000 more than Empire Beauty School students. Even mid-tier options like Pickens Technical College ($22,997) significantly outperform this program. With 28 cosmetology programs in Colorado, your child has better options that justify similar or even slightly higher debt loads.

The 16% earnings growth over four years to $18,831 provides some hope, but even then, graduates remain well below what they could have earned immediately at stronger programs. Given the competitive Colorado market and clear better alternatives, this program represents a poor investment despite its low debt burden. Look at the higher-performing Colorado schools instead.