Cosmetology at Empire Beauty School-Buffalo

Cheektowaga, NY · Private for-profit · Certificate · Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services

a compact campus enrolling 78 students in Cheektowaga, NY.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $16,062 track close to the $17,289 national median for Cosmetology programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

AI risk is moderate — 24% task exposure — and the 29% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Cosmetology graduates.

The $11,743 debt-to-$16,062 income ratio translates to about 9 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #825 out of 1,095 programs, Empire Beauty School-Buffalo's financial outcomes for Cosmetology trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $16,062 to $22,064 shows 37% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

With 5 registered apprenticeships mapped to Cosmetology, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

42 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
38
Low End
42
Score
43
High End
Earnings $16,062/yr (-7% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (145,700 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$236K
8.3% annual growth
Viable Career Paths
8 of 8
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Median Debt at Graduation
$11,743
8.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$22,064
37% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Cosmetology graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Personal service managers, all other $61,340 +6.5% 48%
Makeup artists, theatrical and performance $50,280 +8.1% 66%
First-line supervisors of personal service workers $47,080 +6.7% 59%
Personal service managers, all other
$61,340
+6.5% growth 48% AI-proof
Makeup artists, theatrical and performance
$50,280
+8.1% growth 66% AI-proof
First-line supervisors of personal service workers
$47,080
+6.7% growth 59% AI-proof

View all 8 career paths with full salary data →

Cosmetology Career Guide

Explore what Cosmetology graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 1095 programs nationwide.

Read the full Cosmetology career guide →

Compare & Explore

Cosmetology Overview

Cosmetology at Other Schools

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 42/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Cosmetology at Empire Beauty School-Buffalo?
A score of 42/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Cosmetology. Earnings, ROI, or job market factors are pulling the score down.
Are there apprenticeship options for Cosmetology?
The DOL recognizes 5 apprenticeship pathways related to Cosmetology. For students weighing Empire Beauty School-Buffalo's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.
What's the job market like for Cosmetology from Empire Beauty School-Buffalo?
At 145,700 annual openings, Cosmetology has a very large employment base. Empire Beauty School-Buffalo graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →