Purdue University Fort Wayne vs Empire Beauty School-Indianapolis: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Purdue University Fort Wayne comes closer — median earnings $45,872 against a $52,684 total, vs $24,397 at Empire Beauty School-Indianapolis. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Purdue University Fort Wayne | Empire Beauty School-Indianapolis |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $13,171 | $17,213 |
| Total net cost | $52,684 | $68,852 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $45,872 | $24,397 |
| Median debt | $21,500 | $10,667 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$102,444 | -$548,112 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Purdue University Fort Wayne or Empire Beauty School-Indianapolis?
Purdue University Fort Wayne, at $13,171 a year after aid versus $17,213 — a gap of $4,042 a year, or $16,168 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Purdue University Fort Wayne or Empire Beauty School-Indianapolis graduates earn more?
Purdue University Fort Wayne graduates report a median $45,872 ten years after entry, $21,475 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, Purdue University Fort Wayne or Empire Beauty School-Indianapolis?
Empire Beauty School-Indianapolis: its completers carry a median $10,667 in federal loans versus $21,500 at Purdue University Fort Wayne, a difference of $10,833. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.