What Is It Known For?
Empire Beauty School isn’t part of a state community college network. Instead, it’s a big group of for-profit cosmetology schools spread across the USA. With 76 locations nationwide, it’s the largest cosmetology school system in the country. The school’s main office is in Pottsville, Pennsylvania.
Founded in 1946, Empire Beauty School has spent over 80 years teaching future beauty pros. They focus on hair, skincare, and nails. Student numbers change based on each school’s location, so there’s no exact count for all schools together. But with so many locations, they likely teach thousands of students every year.
Degrees & Certifications
Empire Beauty School offers a range of programs to help students pursue their passion in the beauty industry. With a focus on hands-on training and professional development, the school provides the following programs:
- Cosmetology
- Esthetics/Aesthetics
- Educator Training
- Nail Technology
Class Schedules
Empire Beauty School offers flexible class schedules to fit different needs. You can pick full-time day classes or part-time options during the day or evening. Some online courses are available too, letting you learn more about beauty from home. Keep in mind that class times can change based on which school you’re near, so it’s best to check with your local Empire Beauty School for exact times.
For senior students, the school provides hands-on training in clinical work, retail, and customer service. This real-world practice helps students get ready for their future careers in the beauty industry.
Are Empire Beauty School Legit?
Yes, they are legitimate institutions. The schools are accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences (NACCAS).
Furthermore, Empire Beauty Schools are licensed to operate in each state where they have campuses.
Acceptance Rate
All Empire Beauty Schools have a 100% acceptance rate.
How Much Does Tuition Cost?
The average tuition at Empire Beauty Schools is about $16,200. But keep in mind that this is just an estimate. Because Empire operates many schools across different states, the actual cost can change based on your chosen program and location.
To get the exact tuition for your preferred school, it’s best to contact them directly when you’re applying. They’ll give you the most up-to-date information on costs.
If you’d rather not call, you can use the school’s online net price calculator.
Programs & Courses
Cosmetology & Barbering
- Cosmetology
- Skin Care
Campus Locations
Aurora, CO 16800 E Mississippi Ave., Aurora, CO 80017
Littleton, CO 8996 W Bowles Ave., Littleton, CO 80123
Thornton, CO 3811 E 120th Ave., Thornton, CO 80233
Avondale, AZ 9945 W McDowell Rd., Avondale, AZ 85323
Chandler, AZ 2978 N Alma School Rd., Chandler, AZ 85224
Flagstaff, AZ 1790 E Rt. 66, Flagstaff, AZ 86004
Phoenix, AZ 2727 W Glendale Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85051
Tucson, AZ 3030 E Speedway Blvd., Tucson, AZ 85716
Lakeland, FL 5101 US Hwy. 98 N, Lakeland, FL 33812
Lauderhill, FL 4806 N University Dr., Lauderhill, FL 33351
Tampa, FL 10083 E Adamo Dr., Tampa, FL 33619
West Palm Beach, FL 4258 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach, FL 33409
Atlanta, GA 2190 Henderson Mill Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA 30345
Augusta, GA 3241 Washington Rd., Augusta, GA 30907
Atlanta, GA 4719 Ashford Dunwoody Rd., Ste 205, Atlanta, GA 30338
Lawrenceville, GA 1455 Pleasant Hill Rd., Ste 105, Lawrenceville, GA 30044
Kennesaw, GA 425 Ernest Barrett Pkwy., Kennesaw, GA 30144
Morrow, GA 1958 Mt Zion Rd., Ste 205, Morrow, GA 30260
Savannah, GA 7400 Abercorn St., Ste 901, Savannah, GA 31406
Hanover Park, IL 1167 E Lake St., Hanover Park, IL 60133
Stone Park, IL 3106 W North Ave., Stone Park, IL 60165
Vernon Hills, IL 226 Hawthorn Village Cmns., Vernon Hills, IL 60061
Indianapolis, IN 3810 E Southport Rd., Indianapolis, IN 46237
Speedway, IN 5750A Crawfordsville Rd., Speedway, IN 46224
Elizabethtown, KY 554 Westport Rd., Elizabethtown, KY 42701
Florence, KY 7285 Turfway Rd., Florence, KY 41042
Louisville, KY 5120 Dixie Hwy., Louisville, KY 40216
Louisville, KY 5314 Bardstown Rd., Louisville, KY 40291
Louisville, KY 151 Chenoweth Ln., Louisville, KY 40207
Bangor, ME 639 Broadway, Bangor, ME 04401
Portland, ME 319 Marginal Way, Portland, ME 04101
Glen Burnie, MD 6320 Ritchie Hwy., Ste F, Glen Burnie, MD 21061
Owings Mills, MD 9616 Reistertown Rd., Ste 105, Owings Mills, MD 21117
Boston, MA 30 West St., Boston, MA 02111
Framingham, MA 624 Worcester Rd., Framingham, MA 01702
Malden, MA 347 Pleasant St., Malden, MA 02148
Grand Rapids, MI 3583 Alpine Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49544
Portage, MI 6091 Constitution Blvd., Portage, MI 49024
Grand Rapids, MI 455 Standale Plz., Grand Rapids, MI 49534
Minneapolis, MN 9749 Lyndale Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55420
Spring Lake Park, MN 8205 University Ave. NE, Spring Lake Park, MN 55432
Bloomfield, NJ 15 Ward St., Bloomfield, NJ 07003
Bordentown, NJ 610 Rt. 206, Bordentown, NJ 08505
Cherry Hill, NJ 2100 State Hwy., 38 Plaza Cherry Hill, Cherry Hill, NJ 08002
Paramus, NJ 332 E Rt. 4, Paramus, NJ 07652
Union, NJ 1126 Morris Ave., Union, NJ 07083
Bensonhurst, NY 2384 86th St., Bensonhurst, NY 11214
Cheektowaga, NY 2190 Walden Ave., Cheektowaga, NY 14225
New York, NY 22 W 34th St., New York, NY 10001
Peekskill, NY 19 Bank St., Peekskill, NY 10566
Astoria, NY 38 15 Broadway, Astoria, NY 11103
Rochester, NY 340 Elmridge Center Dr., Rochester, NY 14626
Charlotte, NC 4901 B N Tryon St., Charlotte, NC 28213
Concord, NC 10075 Weddington Rd. Ext, Concord, NC 28027
Greensboro, NC 2001 E Wendover Ave., Greensboro, NC 27405
Greensboro, NC 1312 Bridford Pkwy., Ste 105, Greensboro, NC 27407
Matthews, NC 11032 E Independence Blvd., Matthews, NC 28105
Pineville, NC 8700 Pineville-Matthews Rd., Pineville, NC 28226
Winston-Salem, NC 7740 N Point Blvd., Winston-Salem, NC 27106
Cincinnati, OH 8419 Colerain Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45239
Wyncote, PA 1000 Easton Rd., Wyncote, PA, 19095
Hanover, PA 1000 Carlisle St., Hanover, PA 17331
Harrisburg, PA 3941 Jonestown Rd., Harrisburg, PA 17109
Lancaster, PA 1801 Columbia Ave., Lancaster, PA 17603
Lebanon, PA 1776 Quentin Rd., Lebanon, PA 17042
Whitehall, PA 1634 Macarthur Rd., Whitehall, PA 18052
Monroeville, PA 320 Mall Blvd., Monroeville, PA 15146
Pittsburgh, PA 4768 McKnight Rd., Pittsburgh, PA 15237
Philadelphia, PA 1522 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19102
Philadelphia, PA 4026 Woodhaven Rd., Philadelphia, PA 19154
Pottsville, PA 396 Pottsville Saint Clair Hwy., Pottsville, PA 17901
Reading, PA 2302 N 5th St Hwy., Reading, PA, 19605
Shamokin Dam, PA 30 Baldwin Blvd., Ste 50, Shamokin Dam, PA 17876
Springfield, PA 799 W Sproul Rd., Springfield, PA 19064
Warminster, PA 435 York Rd., Warminster, PA 18974
West Mifflin, PA 2394 Mountain View Dr., West Mifflin, PA 15122
Moosic, PA 3370 Birney Ave., Moosic, PA 18507
York, PA 2592 Eastern Blvd., York, PA 17402
Providence, RI 151 Broadway, Providence, RI 02903
Jackson, TN 1433 Hollywood Dr., Jackson, TN 38301
Memphis, TN 568 Colonial Rd., Memphis, TN 38117
Memphis, TN 3250 Colemand Rd., Memphis, TN 38128
Memphis, TN 804 S Highland St., Memphis, TN 38111
Brentwood, TN 7106 Moores Ln., Ste A, Brentwood, TN 37027
Midlothian, VA 10807 Hull Street Rd., Midlothian, VA 23112
Richmond, VA 9049 W Broad St., Richmond, VA 23294
Virginia Beach, VA 116 S Independence Blvd., Ste 104, Virginia Beach, VA 23462
Ashwaubenon, WI 940 Hansen Rd., Ashwaubenon, WI 54303
Milwaukee, WI 5655 South 27th St., Milwaukee, WI 53221
Financial Aid Services
Scholarships, grants, and loans are all available for Empire Beauty School students. Completion of the FAFSA determines eligibility for each type of aid. On top of that, first time attendees who show up to 90% of their classes earn a $1000 scholarship. Industry partners also give out awards to those who meet certain criteria.
Student Services
The student portal provides a way to check hours, view financial and enrollment information, see documents, and access important links. Empire Beauty Schools offer a hands-on learning environment as well. Students get to practice on actual clients in a real salon. Additionally, the school supplies toolkits with items that are necessary for beauty careers.
Career Services
Graduates can access BeautyCareer.com for help in their job search. The site lets them draft a resume, create a portfolio, and browse openings. Empire Beauty School’s affiliation to Regis Salons provides a wealth of opportunities too. The institution also partners with several hair and skin care industry leaders.
Reviews
Based on local Google reviews, Empire Beauty School in Aurora has a mixed reputation, with a significant amount of recent, positive feedback alongside some notable, serious criticisms. While many clients are thrilled with their results and the student service, a few negative experiences highlight a potential for inconsistent quality and challenges in the student experience.
Overall Score: 4.5/5 Stars
Common Praises
Talented and Attentive Students: A large number of reviews praise students for their skills in hair color, cuts, and manicures. Reviewers frequently describe them as professional, patient, and very attentive to what the client wants. The affordable prices for high-quality work are also a major draw.
Supportive and Knowledgeable Instructors: Both clients and students mention instructors who are helpful, knowledgeable, and passionate about their work. They are seen as caring guides who closely supervise students to ensure high-quality results.
Positive and Welcoming Environment: Several reviews mention that the school has a great and relaxing atmosphere. The staff is described as friendly and welcoming, making both students and clients feel comfortable and part of a community.
Noteworthy Improvements: A few reviews from the past year point out that the school has made great strides in its environment and overall student experience, which is a sign of positive momentum.
Common Criticisms
Inconsistent Results: The most common criticism is about the variability of outcomes. One very negative review describes a client being “scalped” and left with a haircut that was not what was discussed. These cases often occur due to a miscommunication between the student and the client or instructor.
Poor Student Experience and Unmet Expectations: Some student reviews express deep frustration. One reviewer called their time at the school a “complete nightmare,” citing feeling unsafe and not learning the proper academics. Another review from a student highlights a lack of adequate supplies and a need for better support for the educators.
Financial Issues: A former student stated they were being charged a significant amount of money despite being unable to finish their education due to dissatisfaction with the program. The school’s response on the review confirms it would not offer a refund.
Momentum
The reputation of the school has a strong positive momentum in recent months. The most recent reviews are almost all glowing, focusing on great services and talented students. However, the most serious negative reviews are from the past one to two years and highlight specific concerns that may still be relevant. The school’s owner is very active in responding to all reviews, showing a commitment to client feedback and reputation management.