Degree Dividend
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Mid-America College of Funeral Service vs Empire Beauty School-Indianapolis: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Jeffersonville IN · vs · Private for-profit, Indianapolis IN

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Mid-America College of Funeral Service comes closer — median earnings $44,505 against a $61,212 total, vs $24,397 at Empire Beauty School-Indianapolis. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureMid-America College of Funeral ServiceEmpire Beauty School-Indianapolis
Net price / yr$30,606$17,213
Total net cost$61,212$68,852
Median earnings, 10 yrs$44,505$24,397
Median debt$16,666$10,667
Payback
20-year net return-$138,312-$548,112

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

Which is cheaper, Mid-America College of Funeral Service or Empire Beauty School-Indianapolis?

Empire Beauty School-Indianapolis, at $17,213 a year after aid versus $30,606 — a gap of $13,393 a year, or $7,640 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Mid-America College of Funeral Service or Empire Beauty School-Indianapolis graduates earn more?

Mid-America College of Funeral Service graduates report a median $44,505 ten years after entry, $20,108 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, Mid-America College of Funeral Service or Empire Beauty School-Indianapolis?

Empire Beauty School-Indianapolis: its completers carry a median $10,667 in federal loans versus $16,666 at Mid-America College of Funeral Service, a difference of $5,999. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Mid-America College of Funeral Service vs Empire Beauty School-Indianapolis: frequently asked questions

Is Mid-America College of Funeral Service or Empire Beauty School-Indianapolis a better value?
Mid-America College of Funeral Service comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, Mid-America College of Funeral Service or Empire Beauty School-Indianapolis?
Empire Beauty School-Indianapolis: $17,213/yr net price after aid versus $30,606/yr at Mid-America College of Funeral Service — a difference of $13,393 a year, or about $7,640 over four years.
Do Mid-America College of Funeral Service or Empire Beauty School-Indianapolis graduates earn more?
Mid-America College of Funeral Service graduates earn a median $44,505 ten years after entry, versus $24,397 at Empire Beauty School-Indianapolis — a $20,108 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.