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Empire Beauty School-Michigan
Grand Rapids, Michigan · Private for-profit career school · Training programs available:
Address: 3583 Alpine Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49544 · Phone: (800) 920-4593 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Empire Beauty School-Michigan is a private for-profit trade school in Grand Rapids, Michigan, offering cosmetology programs, accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences.
Per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, Empire Beauty School-Michigan has a 57.3% completion rate, near the Michigan average of 56.9%, 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-Michigan is $21,747, federal financial aid including FAFSA and Pell Grants can be used, and 53.3% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists | $25,960 | $34,820 | $60,590 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in Michigan (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 | 109 | $18,217 | $16,897 | $11,743 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 2 | $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-Michigan is a private for-profit trade school in Grand Rapids, Michigan, located in a large suburb setting. The campus is accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences and participates in federal Title IV financial aid, meaning eligible students can use FAFSA-based aid to help pay for enrollment. The school offers two program families, with cosmetology schools as its leading and most-completed program, accounting for 111 of its recent completers.
Federal data shows a completion rate of 57.3%, which is near the Michigan state average of 56.9%. Graduates who took out loans carried a median debt of $10,667, and median earnings ten years after entry were $22,377. The annual cost of attendance is reported at $21,747, and 53.3% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a substantial share of the student body qualifies for need-based federal aid.
Given its focus on cosmetology training, this campus may suit students seeking a career-focused program rather than a traditional multi-year associate degree path, though specific program lengths and schedules are not detailed in the available data. Adult career-changers considering this school should verify current program offerings, schedules, and licensing requirements directly with the school. To confirm accreditation status and review the latest outcome figures, prospective students can check with the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences and consult the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard for this campus before enrolling.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Empire Beauty School-Michigan offers two program families, with cosmetology schools as its top program, accounting for 111 recent completers.
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 eligible students can use FAFSA-based aid, including Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 57.3%, which is near the Michigan state average of 56.9%, per federal data.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates carry a median debt of $10,667, according to federal data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings ten years after entry are $22,377, per the College Scorecard.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
The reported annual cost of attendance is $21,747.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
This is a private for-profit school, which typically affects tuition levels and eligibility for certain state-specific aid programs compared to public institutions.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program lengths are not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school directly at (800) 920-4593 or via https://www.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 at the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?169284.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The data does not specify program schedules or length, so fit for career-changers cannot be confirmed from federal data alone; contact the school to discuss scheduling options.
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 or check Michigan's cosmetology licensing board for details.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Empire Beauty School-Michigan 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?
This information is not reported in federal data; use the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?169284 to compare nearby schools directly.
Other trade and career schools in Grand Rapids, MI
- Grand Rapids Community CollegeGrand Rapids, MI · 21% completion
- Ross College-Grand Rapids NorthGrand Rapids, MI · 57% completion
- Davenport UniversityGrand Rapids, MI · university
- Dorsey College-Grand RapidsGrand Rapids, MI · career college
- A&B Cdl Inc.Grand Rapids, MI
- Paul Mitchell the School-Grand RapidsKentwood, MI · 84% completion
- Mosley School of CosmetologyKentwood, MI · career school
- Ross Medical Education Center-KentwoodKentwood, MI · 67% completion
See all trade and career schools in Michigan 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.