Head-to-head comparison
Lincoln College of Technology-Indianapolis vs Empire Beauty School-Indianapolis: which has better ROI?
Option A Indianapolis, IN
Lincoln College of Technology-Indianapolis
- Net price / year
- $28,371
- Earnings, 10 years
- $46,396
- Payback
- No payback
Option B Indianapolis, IN
Empire Beauty School-Indianapolis
- Net price / year
- $17,213
- Earnings, 10 years
- $24,397
- Payback
- No payback
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Lincoln College of Technology-Indianapolis comes closer — median earnings $46,396 against a $113,484 total, vs $24,397 at Empire Beauty School-Indianapolis. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Lincoln College of Technology-Indianapolis | Empire Beauty School-Indianapolis |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $28,371 | $17,213 |
| Total net cost | $113,484 | $68,852 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $46,396 | $24,397 |
| Median debt | $11,730 | $10,667 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$152,764 | -$548,112 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Lincoln College of Technology-Indianapolis or Empire Beauty School-Indianapolis?
Empire Beauty School-Indianapolis, at $17,213 a year after aid versus $28,371 — a gap of $11,158 a year, or $44,632 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do Lincoln College of Technology-Indianapolis or Empire Beauty School-Indianapolis graduates earn more?
Lincoln College of Technology-Indianapolis graduates report a median $46,396 ten years after entry, $21,999 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.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, Lincoln College of Technology-Indianapolis or Empire Beauty School-Indianapolis?
Empire Beauty School-Indianapolis: its completers carry a median $10,667 in federal loans versus $11,730 at Lincoln College of Technology-Indianapolis, a difference of $1,063. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.