Cosmetology at Empire Beauty School-West Mifflin

Empire Beauty School-West Mifflin delivers mixed results in Pennsylvania's competitive cosmetology landscape. While the program performs better than most Pennsylvania cosmetology schools (60th percentile statewide), it falls short of national standards, ranking in just the 42nd percentile nationally. First-year graduates earn $16,429, slightly above the state median of $16,236 but below the national average of $17,113.

The debt picture is notably favorable—at $13,583, students borrow significantly less than the national average, placing this program in the 16th percentile for debt nationally. This creates a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.83, meaning graduates owe less than one year's salary. However, the earnings ceiling appears limited, with four-year graduates reaching only $19,898, barely cracking into the national 75th percentile range.

For Pennsylvania families, this program represents a middle-tier option that won't burden students with excessive debt, but it also won't position them among the state's top earners. The top five programs in Pennsylvania generate $20,000+ in first-year earnings—a meaningful $3,000+ advantage. Given cosmetology's entrepreneurial potential where location and business skills often matter more than school prestige, Empire Beauty School offers a reasonable entry point, but families should weigh whether spending a bit more for higher-performing in-state alternatives might yield better long-term returns.