Career Training Path › Pennsylvania › Empire Beauty School-Harrisburg
Empire Beauty School-Harrisburg
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania · Private for-profit career school · Training programs available:
Address: 3941 Jonestown Rd, Harrisburg, PA 17109 · Phone: (800) 920-4593 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Empire Beauty School-Harrisburg is a private for-profit trade school in Harrisburg, PA offering cosmetology programs, accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences.
Per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, this campus has a 72.4% completion rate versus a 66.2% state average, with median graduate debt of $10,667 and median earnings of $22,377 ten years after entry.
Annual cost of attendance at Empire Beauty School-Harrisburg is $23,486, federal financial aid such as FAFSA and Pell Grants can be used here, and 72.0% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists | $23,700 | $36,790 | $55,360 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in Pennsylvania (May 2025; national where the state figure is not published). The program table below shows what this campus's own graduates earned in their first year, whatever job they took.
Trade programs at this campus
| Program | Credential | Grads / yr | Earnings, yr 1 | Earnings, yr 2 | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 75 | $18,217 | $16,897 | $11,743 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 7 | $18,217 | $16,897 | $11,743 |
Earnings are median wages and self-employment income reported to the IRS (W-2 and Schedule SE) for graduates who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled, measured in the calendar year after finishing. They are pay only: health insurance, retirement contributions and other benefits are not included.
Graduates per year from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey. Earnings and debt are College Scorecard field-of-study medians for graduates of this program at this campus (reported at the 4-digit program level, so closely related programs share a figure); "not reported" means too few graduates were counted to publish a figure.
About this school
Empire Beauty School-Harrisburg is a private for-profit trade school located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in a large suburb setting. It is accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences and participates in federal Title IV financial aid programs, meaning students can use FAFSA-based aid to help pay for training. The campus concentrates on cosmetology programs, with 82 recent completers in that field out of an undergraduate enrollment of about 152 students.
Federal Scorecard data shows a completion rate of 72.4%, which is above the Pennsylvania state average of 66.2% for comparable programs. Graduates who took out federal loans carried a median debt of $10,667. Median earnings ten years after entry were reported at $22,377. The annual cost of attendance is listed at $23,486, and 72.0% of students received Pell Grants, indicating a student population with substantial financial need.
Given its focus on cosmetology training, this campus may suit students seeking a hands-on, career-focused program rather than a traditional multi-year degree path; program length itself is not reported for this campus in federal data, so applicants should confirm schedule and duration directly with the school. Adult or career-changer fit cannot be confirmed beyond what is stated here. Prospective students should verify current accreditation status through the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences and review the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard for the most up-to-date completion, debt, and earnings figures before enrolling.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
This campus offers cosmetology programs, with cosmetology schools listed as its top program area (82 completers). Program count in federal data is 2.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, the school is accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences, and its accreditation status is listed as Accredited.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this school participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so students can use FAFSA-based aid, including Pell Grants, to help cover costs.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 72.4%, which is above the Pennsylvania state average of 66.2% per the College Scorecard.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
The median debt among graduates is $10,667, per federal Scorecard data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings ten years after entry are reported at $22,377.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
The annual cost of attendance is $23,486 according to federal data.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
This is a private for-profit school, which can affect tuition levels, aid eligibility rules, and institutional funding compared to public or non-profit schools.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program length is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school at (800) 920-4593 or visit empire.edu to confirm.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation through the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences and review outcome data on the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?212382.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
This is not reported for this campus in federal data; the cosmetology focus suggests a career-training orientation, but fit for career changers should be confirmed directly with the school.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing requirements are not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school directly to ask about state cosmetology licensing steps.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can contact Empire Beauty School-Harrisburg at (800) 920-4593 or through its website, https://www.empire.edu/.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data on nearby schools is not reported for this campus in federal data; use the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?212382 to compare institutions.
Other trade and career schools in Harrisburg, PA
- Barber and Beauty Academy of PennsylvaniaHarrisburg, PA · 96% completion
- Harrisburg Area Community CollegeHarrisburg, PA · 21% completion
- AAA School of Trucking - Harrisburg CampusHarrisburg, PA
- Plumbers and Pipefitters LU520 Joint Apprenticeship and Training CommitteeHarrisburg, PA · career school
- Jean Madeline Aveda InstitutePhiladelphia, PA · 80% completion
- South Hills Beauty AcademyPittsburgh, PA · 94% completion
- Penn Commercial Business/Technical SchoolWashington, PA · 84% completion
- York County School of Technology-Adult & Continuing EducationYork, PA · 90% completion
See all trade and career schools in Pennsylvania or search by ZIP code.
Data: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey; College Scorecard June 2026; Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), September 2026. Figures are the U.S. Department of Education's official measures, not Career Training Path's opinion. Tuition, schedules and program availability change — confirm with the school before enrolling.