Calumet College of Saint Joseph vs Empire Beauty School-Indianapolis: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Calumet College of Saint Joseph comes closer — median earnings $46,945 against a $89,804 total, vs $24,397 at Empire Beauty School-Indianapolis. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Calumet College of Saint Joseph | Empire Beauty School-Indianapolis |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $22,451 | $17,213 |
| Total net cost | $89,804 | $68,852 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $46,945 | $24,397 |
| Median debt | $21,534 | $10,667 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$118,104 | -$548,112 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Calumet College of Saint Joseph or Empire Beauty School-Indianapolis?
Empire Beauty School-Indianapolis, at $17,213 a year after aid versus $22,451 — a gap of $5,238 a year, or $20,952 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Calumet College of Saint Joseph or Empire Beauty School-Indianapolis graduates earn more?
Calumet College of Saint Joseph graduates report a median $46,945 ten years after entry, $22,548 more than the $24,397 at Empire Beauty School-Indianapolis. 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, Calumet College of Saint Joseph or Empire Beauty School-Indianapolis?
Empire Beauty School-Indianapolis: its completers carry a median $10,667 in federal loans versus $21,534 at Calumet College of Saint Joseph, a difference of $10,867. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.