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Indiana State University vs Empire Beauty School-Indianapolis: which has better ROI?

Public, Terre Haute IN · vs · Private for-profit, Indianapolis IN

The verdict

Indiana State University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $43,492 in 1610.8 years versus not at all at Empire Beauty School-Indianapolis, on median earnings of $48,387 vs $24,397 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureIndiana State UniversityEmpire Beauty School-Indianapolis
Net price / yr$10,873$17,213
Total net cost$43,492$68,852
Median earnings, 10 yrs$48,387$24,397
Median debt$24,000$10,667
Payback1610.8 yrs
20-year net return-$42,952-$548,112

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Indiana State University or Empire Beauty School-Indianapolis?

Indiana State University, at $10,873 a year after aid versus $17,213 — a gap of $6,340 a year, or $25,360 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Indiana State University or Empire Beauty School-Indianapolis graduates earn more?

Indiana State University graduates report a median $48,387 ten years after entry, $23,990 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, Indiana State University or Empire Beauty School-Indianapolis?

Empire Beauty School-Indianapolis: its completers carry a median $10,667 in federal loans versus $24,000 at Indiana State University, a difference of $13,333. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Indiana State University vs Empire Beauty School-Indianapolis: frequently asked questions

Is Indiana State University or Empire Beauty School-Indianapolis a better value?
Indiana State University. It clears its $43,492 net cost in about 1610.8 years versus no clear payback at Empire Beauty School-Indianapolis, on median earnings of $48,387 vs $24,397 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Indiana State University or Empire Beauty School-Indianapolis?
Indiana State University: $10,873/yr net price after aid versus $17,213/yr at Empire Beauty School-Indianapolis — a difference of $6,340 a year, or about $25,360 over four years.
Do Indiana State University or Empire Beauty School-Indianapolis graduates earn more?
Indiana State University graduates earn a median $48,387 ten years after entry, versus $24,397 at Empire Beauty School-Indianapolis — a $23,990 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.