Empire Beauty School-Savannah

Student life revolves around the salon-clinic. There is no traditional campus in the collegiate sense; the experience is defined by training blocks, practical sessions, and building technical skills. The school draws its small student body to Savannah, where off-campus life blends study, occasional campus events, and time in the city. A core component of the training involves serving real clients in the student-run salon, where appointments are welcome and provide the crucial clinical experience required for graduation. The school's promotional material emphasizes the unique and inspiring journey of each student, focused on hands-on learning, confidence building, and skill discovery.

Outcomes data paints a picture of a fast-track into the workforce, albeit at entry-level wages in the service industry. The median earnings for graduates one year after completing the program are reported at $36,427. However, a longer-term view shows significantly lower earnings; six years after enrolling, alumni report median earnings of just $19,897, which is noted as being well below national averages. Completion rates for similar Empire Beauty School programs suggest that a little over half of students (around 53%) finish their program within 150% of the "normal time" (e.g., three years for a two-year program). Graduation is tied to fulfilling specific service or practical requirements.

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 estimated cost after scholarships and grants—is reported between $17,353 and $17,517. The average financial aid package is noted as $4,826. The school actively promotes a variety of financial aid options for those who qualify, including federal aid, scholarships, grants, and loans. It provides a net price calculator for prospective students to estimate their costs. Empire also offers its own scholarships, such as a $1,000 award for high school seniors with high attendance, and smaller $500 scholarships. The clear message is that financial assistance is available to make the vocational training accessible.

Empire Beauty School-Savannah stands out for its utter lack of pretense. It is a pure trade school with a brutally simple value proposition: open admissions, one program, hands-on training, and a direct path to a specific career. There is no "student life" in the traditional sense, no academic exploration, and no focus on selectivity metrics. Its character is defined by the salon floor and the practical demands of the beauty industry. It serves a niche population—overwhelmingly women seeking a fast, focused vocational credential—with a model that is the polar opposite of a liberal arts college. Its outcomes reflect the economic realities of the cosmetology field, offering immediate entry into the workforce but at earnings levels that lag far behind many other post-secondary paths.