Empire Beauty School-Hooksett

The academic offering is singular and career-specific. The flagship program is a comprehensive 1,500-hour cosmetology course covering hair, nails, and skincare, designed to be completed in under a year. The school also offers training in esthetics, makeup, and barbering across its three New Hampshire campuses (Hooksett, Somersworth, and Laconia). This is purely vocational education; there are no general education requirements or electives outside the beauty trade. The curriculum is hands-on and practical, aimed squarely at preparing students to pass state licensing exams and enter the workforce immediately. Empire Beauty Schools as an institution has been operating for over 50 years, suggesting an established, if standardized, approach to beauty industry training.

Student life revolves around the campus salon environment and a commuter schedule. There is no residential component; the school is located in a commercial suite at 1328 Hooksett Rd. in Hooksett. The experience is defined by the class schedule, which the school publishes to help prospective students plan. Social and extracurricular life is minimal, as the model prioritizes efficient, focused skill acquisition. The student catalog serves as the central resource for policies and program information. The vibe is that of a professional training center rather than a traditional college campus.

Outcomes are measured by completion, licensure, and earnings. The reported graduation rate (within 150% of normal time) is 83.33%, based on 55 completers out of 66 candidates. Post-graduation earnings data is mixed: one source reports median alumni earnings of $35,629, which it notes is below national results. However, the canonical figure for median earnings 10 years after entry, which overrides all sources, is $33,546. Data from another Empire location shows earnings starting relatively low one year after graduation but increasing significantly by the five-year mark. The fundamental outcome is a professional license and direct entry into the beauty industry as a stylist, esthetician, or barber.

The cost structure is typical of for-profit trade schools, with a published tuition (in-state) of $21,480. However, the canonical average net price after aid, which overrides all sources, is $10,549. Financial aid is widely utilized, with 95% of undergraduate students receiving some form of it and 32% benefiting from federal Pell grants for demonstrated financial need. The school is accredited and participates in Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA). Aid options include scholarships (like a $1,000 award for students maintaining 90% cumulative attendance), grants, and loans. The school provides a net price calculator for prospective students to estimate their actual costs after accounting for aid.

Empire Beauty School-Hooksett stands out for its utter lack of ambiguity. It is not a college trying to be something else; it is a trade school with a clear, singular mission: to train licensed beauty professionals as quickly and directly as possible. Its value proposition is speed and focus—a sub-one-year program for a state license—in an industry that doesn't require a bachelor's degree. It appeals to career-changers, artistic entrepreneurs, and hands-on learners who want to bypass general education and start working. While part of a large national chain, its local campuses in NH provide a specific point of access. Its high graduation rate suggests the program effectively shepherds motivated students through to completion. For those certain about a career in cosmetology, it offers a streamlined, if no-frills, path into the field.