Purdue University Northwest vs Empire Beauty School-Indianapolis: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Purdue University Northwest comes closer — median earnings $48,318 against a $24,316 total, vs $24,397 at Empire Beauty School-Indianapolis. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Purdue University Northwest | Empire Beauty School-Indianapolis |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $6,079 | $17,213 |
| Total net cost | $24,316 | $68,852 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $48,318 | $24,397 |
| Median debt | $21,229 | $10,667 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$25,156 | -$548,112 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Purdue University Northwest or Empire Beauty School-Indianapolis?
Purdue University Northwest, at $6,079 a year after aid versus $17,213 — a gap of $11,134 a year, or $44,536 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 Northwest or Empire Beauty School-Indianapolis graduates earn more?
Purdue University Northwest graduates report a median $48,318 ten years after entry, $23,921 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 Northwest or Empire Beauty School-Indianapolis?
Empire Beauty School-Indianapolis: its completers carry a median $10,667 in federal loans versus $21,229 at Purdue University Northwest, a difference of $10,562. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.