Colby-Sawyer College vs Empire Beauty School-Hooksett: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Colby-Sawyer College comes closer — median earnings $46,474 against a $109,724 total, vs $33,546 at Empire Beauty School-Hooksett. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Colby-Sawyer College | Empire Beauty School-Hooksett |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $27,431 | $10,549 |
| Total net cost | $109,724 | $42,196 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $46,474 | $33,546 |
| Median debt | $27,000 | $7,942 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$147,444 | -$338,476 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Colby-Sawyer College or Empire Beauty School-Hooksett?
Empire Beauty School-Hooksett, at $10,549 a year after aid versus $27,431 — a gap of $16,882 a year, or $67,528 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Colby-Sawyer College or Empire Beauty School-Hooksett graduates earn more?
Colby-Sawyer College graduates report a median $46,474 ten years after entry, $12,928 more than the $33,546 at Empire Beauty School-Hooksett. 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, Colby-Sawyer College or Empire Beauty School-Hooksett?
Empire Beauty School-Hooksett: its completers carry a median $7,942 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Colby-Sawyer College, a difference of $19,058. 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-Hooksett, against 57% at Colby-Sawyer College. 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.