Head-to-head comparison
Oakland City University vs Empire Beauty School-Indianapolis: which has better ROI?
Option A Oakland City, IN
Oakland City University
- Net price / year
- $15,210
- Earnings, 10 years
- $43,283
- 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 Oakland City University comes closer — median earnings $43,283 against a $60,840 total, vs $24,397 at Empire Beauty School-Indianapolis. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Oakland City University | Empire Beauty School-Indianapolis |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $15,210 | $17,213 |
| Total net cost | $60,840 | $68,852 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $43,283 | $24,397 |
| Median debt | $16,758 | $10,667 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$162,380 | -$548,112 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Oakland City University or Empire Beauty School-Indianapolis?
Oakland City University, at $15,210 a year after aid versus $17,213 — a gap of $2,003 a year, or $8,012 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 Oakland City University or Empire Beauty School-Indianapolis graduates earn more?
Oakland City University graduates report a median $43,283 ten years after entry, $18,886 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, Oakland City University or Empire Beauty School-Indianapolis?
Empire Beauty School-Indianapolis: its completers carry a median $10,667 in federal loans versus $16,758 at Oakland City University, a difference of $6,091. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.