Cosmetology at Empire Beauty School-Thornton

Thornton, CO · Private for-profit · Certificate · Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services

a compact campus enrolling 104 students in Thornton, CO.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $16,251 track close to the $17,289 national median for Cosmetology programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

The 23% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Cosmetology career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

At $12,000 against $16,251/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #579 ranking among 1,095 Cosmetology programs places Empire Beauty School-Thornton in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 29% earnings increase from $16,251 to $21,000 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

The 5 apprenticeship pathways connected to Cosmetology reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

42 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
38
Low End
42
Score
43
High End
Earnings $16,251/yr (-6% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (145,700 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$221K
6.6% 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
$12,000
8.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$21,000
29% 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

See the full career breakdown for Cosmetology — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from Empire Beauty School-Thornton and 1094 other schools.

Read the full Cosmetology career guide →

Compare & Explore

Cosmetology Overview

Cosmetology at Other Schools

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Empire Beauty School-Thornton's Cosmetology program score?
At 42/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Cosmetology programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Cosmetology program at Empire Beauty School-Thornton?
Beyond Empire Beauty School-Thornton's classroom route, 5 registered apprenticeships map to Cosmetology careers — including Barber. Apprenticeships trade shorter program length for longer on-the-job training, typically 2-4 years.
Will Cosmetology graduates from Empire Beauty School-Thornton find jobs?
The very large job market (145,700 annual openings) works in favor of Cosmetology graduates. The national outlook is driven by consistent replacement demand and industry growth, though regional variation matters.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →