Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College vs Empire Beauty School-Indianapolis: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College comes closer — median earnings $43,845 against a $127,488 total, vs $24,397 at Empire Beauty School-Indianapolis. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College | Empire Beauty School-Indianapolis |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $31,872 | $17,213 |
| Total net cost | $127,488 | $68,852 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $43,845 | $24,397 |
| Median debt | $19,512 | $10,667 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$217,788 | -$548,112 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College or Empire Beauty School-Indianapolis?
Empire Beauty School-Indianapolis, at $17,213 a year after aid versus $31,872 — a gap of $14,659 a year, or $58,636 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College or Empire Beauty School-Indianapolis graduates earn more?
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College graduates report a median $43,845 ten years after entry, $19,448 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, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College or Empire Beauty School-Indianapolis?
Empire Beauty School-Indianapolis: its completers carry a median $10,667 in federal loans versus $19,512 at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, a difference of $8,845. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.