What Is Empire Beauty School and What Should You Know Before Enrolling?
Empire Beauty School is a chain of cosmetology training institutions operating across multiple states. If you're considering a career in cosmetology, barbering, esthetics, or related beauty fields, you've likely encountered this name—or you're trying to figure out whether it's a fit for your goals. This guide walks you through what the school offers, how to evaluate it against your own circumstances, and the key factors that will shape your experience.
What Empire Beauty School Is
Empire Beauty School operates as a for-profit cosmetology academy with locations in several states. The chain offers licensing-preparation programs in cosmetology, barbering, esthetics, nail technology, and related specialties. Like other cosmetology schools, Empire's core mission is to prepare students to pass state licensing exams and enter the beauty industry workforce.
The school model is straightforward: students complete classroom instruction, hands-on lab work, and practice on clients in a salon-like environment. Programs typically include theory (chemistry, safety, anatomy as it relates to beauty services), practical technique, and business fundamentals. Upon completion, graduates are eligible to sit for their state's licensing exam—though passing the exam is the student's responsibility, not the school's.
How Cosmetology Schools Operate (Context for Your Decision)
Understanding the broader cosmetology education landscape helps you evaluate Empire or any school fairly.
Accreditation and state approval vary significantly. Cosmetology schools must be approved by their state's cosmetology board or department of education, but approval requirements differ by state. Some states have stricter oversight than others. Accreditation (through bodies like the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences—NACCAS) is optional in many states but signals a school meets certain standards. Check whether a specific Empire location holds accreditation and what your home state requires.
Program length and format typically range from 900 to 1,500 hours depending on the specialty and state requirement. Empire programs follow this standard model, though exact hour requirements vary by location and program. Some schools offer full-time day schedules, evening programs, or weekend options—choices that affect your ability to work, study, and manage costs simultaneously.
Instruction quality depends heavily on instructor credentials, class size, equipment, and client volume. Smaller cohorts and newer equipment don't guarantee better outcomes, but they can reduce wait times for hands-on practice. Larger classes may mean less individual attention. This is where your individual site visit and conversations with current or recent students become crucial.
Key Factors That Affect Your Experience
Several variables shape whether a cosmetology school—including Empire—will work for your situation:
Location and commute. Empire has multiple campuses. Proximity matters: a long commute adds stress, time, and transportation cost. If you're comparing schools, consider how daily travel affects your ability to stay consistent over the program's duration.
Cost and financial aid options. Cosmetology programs are not cheap. Tuition, books, supplies, and fees typically range from several thousand to over $15,000 depending on the program and location. Empire's specific pricing varies by campus and program. Federal financial aid (loans and grants) may be available if the school participates in federal student aid programs—this is worth confirming directly with admissions. Some schools also offer payment plans or scholarships. Your out-of-pocket cost after aid is a major decision factor, and only you can assess your budget.
Schedule flexibility. Can you attend full-time, or do you need evening or weekend options? Do you work while studying? Some students thrive in intensive full-time programs; others need flexibility. Check what Empire's specific location offers.
Career outcomes and job placement. Schools do not guarantee jobs. However, schools vary in how much they support graduate employment—some maintain relationships with local salons, offer job boards, or teach business skills for independent practice. Ask Empire directly whether they track graduate employment rates, offer placement assistance, and what percentage of recent graduates are working in the field within a set timeframe. Independent verification of these claims is wise.
Pass rates for licensing exams. States publish cosmetology licensing exam pass rates by school. Empire's pass rates vary by location and program. A lower pass rate doesn't mean the school is bad—it could reflect student demographics or state exam difficulty—but it's a data point worth checking with your state's licensing board.
Reviews and student feedback. Online reviews, social media, and word-of-mouth offer insight into student experience, but take them with appropriate caution: people who had strong feelings (very positive or very negative) are more likely to leave reviews. Contact Empire's admissions office and ask for references—names of recent graduates you can contact directly. Their real-world experience is invaluable.
What to Evaluate Before You Decide
The landscape is clear; your decision depends on your profile. Here's what to assess:
Financial reality. Can you afford the program—including living expenses if you attend full-time? What federal and private aid options are available to you? Will student loan debt be manageable given expected entry-level cosmetology wages in your area? (Entry-level beauty professionals' earnings vary widely by market, specialization, and employment type.)
Time and commitment. Can you commit to the program's schedule without derailing other responsibilities? Cosmetology requires consistent, focused practice. Students who struggle with attendance or engagement see lower pass rates on licensing exams.
Career clarity. Are you certain you want to work in cosmetology, barbering, esthetics, or nails? Or are you exploring? If you're exploring, a shorter esthetics or nail certification might make sense before investing in a full cosmetology program. If you're committed, a full cosmetology license offers more career flexibility.
Learning style. Do you learn better in small cohorts or larger classes? Do you need hands-on practice to retain skills? How important is mentorship from instructors? Empire's class sizes and instructor-student ratios vary by location—ask during campus visits.
Geographic flexibility. Are you willing to relocate for training, or must you stay local? Does your state recognize cosmetology licenses from other states if you move later? (Reciprocity varies by state—this is important if mobility is in your future.)
How to Get Reliable Information
Don't rely on marketing alone. Here's how to build a real picture:
- Visit the campus in person. Observe the salon floor, talk to students during breaks, ask about typical class sizes and instructor experience.
- Check state licensing board records. Your state's cosmetology board publishes exam pass rates and school complaint histories. This is public data.
- Speak with recent graduates. Ask for contact information and ask about their transition to employment, whether the training prepared them adequately, and whether they'd choose the same school again.
- Clarify the financial breakdown. Understand exactly what tuition covers, what's extra, and what payment and aid options exist.
- Verify accreditation and approvals. Confirm the specific Empire location you're considering holds the appropriate state approval and whether it holds regional or national accreditation.
- Ask about licensing exam support. Do they offer test prep? Do they provide tutoring if you don't pass the first attempt? What's the retake process?
The Bottom Line
Empire Beauty School, like other cosmetology schools, can be a pathway to a career in beauty—but the fit depends entirely on your circumstances: your financial situation, schedule, learning style, location, and commitment to the cosmetology field itself. The school can provide the training; you provide the effort and realistic expectations about what training leads to.
Your decision should rest on verified information about the specific Empire location you'd attend, honest assessment of your own readiness and resources, and comparison with other cosmetology schools in your area. There's no universally "right" answer—only the right choice for your profile.