Cosmetology at Empire Beauty School-Virginia Beach

Empire Beauty School's cosmetology program delivers below-average earnings compared to other Virginia schools, with graduates earning a median of $20,472 four years out—about $1,200 less than the state median for cosmetology programs. Among Virginia's 27 cosmetology programs, this ranks in just the 40th percentile, meaning six out of ten programs produce higher-earning graduates. The top Virginia programs like The Esthetic Institute ($29,301) earn nearly 50% more than Empire graduates.

However, the debt picture is notably better than most cosmetology programs. At $16,500 in median debt, Empire ranks in the 5th percentile nationally for debt levels—meaning 95% of cosmetology programs saddle students with more debt. This creates a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.96, compared to what could be much worse at higher-debt schools. The program also shows solid 20% earnings growth from year one to year four.

For families considering this investment, Empire represents a "safe but unspectacular" choice in Virginia's cosmetology landscape. While your child won't graduate with crushing debt, they'll also likely earn less than peers at higher-performing state programs. If cosmetology is the definite career path, exploring Virginia's top-tier programs might justify slightly higher costs for significantly better earning potential. The robust sample size of 100+ graduates makes these numbers reliable for decision-making.