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Empire Beauty School-Vernon Hills
Vernon Hills, Illinois · Private for-profit career school · Training programs available:
Address: 226 Hawthorn Village Commons, Vernon Hills, IL 60061 · Phone: (800) 920-4593 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Empire Beauty School-Vernon Hills is a private for-profit trade school in Vernon Hills, Illinois offering cosmetology programs, accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences.
Empire Beauty School-Vernon Hills has a 69.6% completion rate, above the Illinois state average of 58.4%, with median graduate debt of $13,583 and median earnings of $24,407 ten years after entry, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Annual cost of attendance at Empire Beauty School-Vernon Hills is reported at $20,180, federal financial aid including FAFSA and Pell Grants can be used, and about 60.2% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists | $31,200 | $34,040 | $41,110 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in Illinois (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 | 28 | $16,897 | $16,527 | $13,583 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 2 | $16,897 | $16,527 | $13,583 |
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-Vernon Hills is a private for-profit trade school located in Vernon Hills, Illinois, a large suburb. The campus is accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences and participates in federal financial aid (Title IV), meaning students can apply for FAFSA-based aid. The school's primary offering is cosmetology, with 30 completers reported in cosmetology schools out of an undergraduate enrollment of about 50.
Federal data shows a completion rate of 69.6%, which is above the Illinois state average of 58.4% for similar programs. Graduates carry a median debt of $13,583. Median earnings 10 years after entry are reported at $24,407. Annual cost of attendance is listed at $20,180. About 60.2% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a significant share of the student body qualifies for need-based federal aid.
This campus centers on a single trade family, cosmetology, and its enrollment size and structure suggest it may fit students seeking a focused, single-track program rather than a broad multi-program environment. Program length in months or weeks is not reported for this campus in federal data, so prospective students should confirm schedule details directly with the school. To verify accreditation status and outcome figures independently, check the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard at the link provided by the school.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
This campus offers cosmetology programs, with 30 reported completers in cosmetology schools. It is a single-program-family campus.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, the school is accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences, with accreditation status 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 apply for FAFSA-based aid. About 60.2% of students receive Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 69.6%, which is above the Illinois state average of 58.4%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Median debt among graduates is $13,583.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are reported at $24,407.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
The annual cost of attendance is reported at $20,180.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
This is a private for-profit school, which can mean different tuition structures and financial aid dynamics than public or non-profit institutions. Prospective students should compare cost and outcome data carefully.
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 https://www.empire.edu/ for schedule details.
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 federal outcome data on the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?481739.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
Fit for adult career changers is not directly reported in federal data; however, the school's focus on a single trade, cosmetology, may suit those seeking a concentrated program. Contact the school to discuss scheduling and enrollment options for adult learners.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Specific licensing or certification requirements are not reported for this campus in federal data. Contact the school directly at (800) 920-4593 for details on cosmetology licensing in Illinois.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can contact Empire Beauty School-Vernon Hills at (800) 920-4593 or visit https://www.empire.edu/ to learn about applying.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data with nearby schools is not reported for this campus in federal data. Prospective students can check the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?481739 to compare similar programs.
Nearby trade and career schools in Illinois
- Cosmetology & Spa AcademyCrystal Lake, IL · 70% completion
- Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-LibertyvilleLibertyville, IL · 84% completion
- I. M. Beauty SchoolGlenview, IL · career school
- College of Lake CountyGrayslake, IL · 37% completion
- William Rainey Harper CollegePalatine, IL · 48% completion
- Oakton CollegeDes Plaines, IL · 37% completion
- McHenry County CollegeCrystal Lake, IL · 37% completion
- Chicago Professional CenterProspect Heights, IL · career school
See all trade and career schools in Illinois 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.