Cosmetology at Empire Beauty School-West Palm

Empire Beauty School-West Palm delivers below-average outcomes in a field where earnings are already modest. With first-year earnings of $16,429, graduates earn about $1,700 less than the Florida median for cosmetology programs and rank in just the 40th percentile statewide. This puts the program well behind top Florida options like Florida State College at Jacksonville ($29,668) and Palm Beach State College ($24,361), which offer nearly double the earning potential.

The debt picture offers some relief—at $13,583, graduates carry significantly more debt than the state median ($9,500), but the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.83 remains manageable. Most cosmetology programs nationally carry less debt, with Empire ranking in the 84th percentile for debt levels. However, the 21% earnings growth over four years to $19,898 suggests income does improve with experience, though it remains below what stronger programs achieve immediately.

For parents considering this investment, the numbers reveal a concerning pattern: higher debt paired with lower earnings compared to other Florida cosmetology programs. While the beauty industry can provide stable employment, this particular program doesn't position graduates competitively within the state. Given that several Florida public institutions offer better outcomes at likely lower costs, families should seriously explore those alternatives before committing to Empire Beauty School-West Palm.