Alturas Cosmetology of Arizona LLC vs Empire Beauty School-Tucson: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Alturas Cosmetology of Arizona LLC comes closer — median earnings $27,201 against a $53,028 total, vs $25,073 at Empire Beauty School-Tucson. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Alturas Cosmetology of Arizona LLC | Empire Beauty School-Tucson |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $13,257 | $17,013 |
| Total net cost | $53,028 | $68,052 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $27,201 | $25,073 |
| Median debt | $6,221 | $13,000 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$476,208 | -$533,792 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Alturas Cosmetology of Arizona LLC or Empire Beauty School-Tucson?
Alturas Cosmetology of Arizona LLC, at $13,257 a year after aid versus $17,013 — a gap of $3,756 a year, or $15,024 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Alturas Cosmetology of Arizona LLC or Empire Beauty School-Tucson graduates earn more?
Alturas Cosmetology of Arizona LLC graduates report a median $27,201 ten years after entry, $2,128 more than the $25,073 at Empire Beauty School-Tucson. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Alturas Cosmetology of Arizona LLC or Empire Beauty School-Tucson?
Alturas Cosmetology of Arizona LLC: its completers carry a median $6,221 in federal loans versus $13,000 at Empire Beauty School-Tucson, a difference of $6,779. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
83% of students finish at Empire Beauty School-Tucson, against 77% at Alturas Cosmetology of Arizona LLC. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.