Empire Beauty School-North Hills

Academics here are purely vocational, centered on mastering the technical skills of cosmetology. The school offers 2 vocational programs, with cosmetology being the clear flagship. The environment is hands-on from day one, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 16:1 suggesting small, focused practical sessions. The curriculum is not about lectures and exams but about repetition, technique, and building the confidence to work directly with clients. A 63% retention rate indicates that while the program is intensive, a significant portion of students persist through the training. Completion is the goal, and the graduation rate is reported variably as 47% and 49% across different sources, highlighting the challenging, skill-based nature of the program where not every enrollee finishes.

Student life is the salon life. There’s no traditional campus with dorms and football games; the social and professional spheres merge completely. Days are spent learning technical skills, building confidence, and working with clients in a simulated salon environment. The culture is one of creative competition and camaraderie, as seen in events like all-school Hair & Makeup Competitions with themes like "VIDEO GAMES." These events function as both pep rallies and practical exams, where students showcase their artistry under pressure. The environment is intensely collaborative and performance-oriented, preparing students for the fast-paced, client-driven world they are about to enter.

Outcomes are measured in licensure and earnings, not graduate school placements. The most concrete data point is median earnings one year after graduation: $36,427. This provides a realistic snapshot of early-career income for graduates entering the beauty industry. The graduation rate, as noted, sits around 47-49%, a key metric for understanding program completion. The school’s profile on the College Scorecard provides further data on typical earnings of graduates, though specific figures beyond the median are not detailed in the provided snippets. The focus is squarely on launching a career, not further academic study.

As a for-profit vocational school, cost is a central consideration. The net priceNet priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost.—the average cost after scholarships and grants—is reported as $17,351, with an average aid package of $4,574. Financial aid is a critical component, and the school offers a variety of options for those who qualify, including federal Pell Grants, scholarships, and loans. One notable internal scholarship is a $1,000 award for students who maintain 90% cumulative attendance, directly tying financial incentive to program engagement. Prospective students are encouraged to use the school's Net Price Calculator and work directly with the Financial Aid team to understand their specific package, as the cost of attendanceCost of attendanceThe full estimated yearly cost of a college: tuition, fees, housing, food, books, and other expenses, before any financial aid. includes tuition, fees, books, and supplies.

Empire Beauty School-North Hills stands out precisely because it does not try to be a traditional college. It is a single-purpose, pragmatic training ground. Its 100% acceptance rateAcceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. removes the gatekeeping of admissions, opening the door to anyone committed to the trade. The environment—a 95% female student body of about 59 total students—creates a specific, focused community learning a specific, hands-on craft. The curriculum is the salon floor; success is measured by a completed style and a client's satisfaction, not a grade on a paper. With a clear earnings outcome ($36,427 median after one year) and financial aid tied to attendance, it represents a direct, if challenging, path to a skilled career for those who know exactly what they want to do. It’s the antithesis of a liberal arts exploration; it’s a vocational bootcamp for beauty professionals.