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Empire Beauty School-Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach, Virginia · Private for-profit career school · Training programs available:
Address: 116 South Independence Boulevard, Virginia Beach, VA 23462 · Phone: (800) 920-4593 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Empire Beauty School-Virginia Beach is a private for-profit trade school in Virginia Beach, VA offering cosmetology programs, accredited by NACCAS.
Per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, this campus has a 36.8% completion rate versus a 57.1% state average, with median graduate debt of $13,583 and median earnings of $24,407 ten years after entry.
Annual cost of attendance at Empire Beauty School-Virginia Beach is $28,563, federal financial aid can be used here, and 63.1% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists (U.S.) | $27,040 | $35,790 | $48,830 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in Virginia (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 | 69 | $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-Virginia Beach is a private for-profit trade school located in Virginia Beach, VA. It is accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences, and students can use federal financial aid (Title IV) to help pay for training here. The campus's primary program area is cosmetology, with cosmetology schools accounting for 69 recorded completers among its roughly 163 undergraduate students.
Federal data shows a completion rate of 36.8%, which is below the Virginia state average of 57.1%. Graduates who took out loans carried a median debt of $13,583, and median earnings 10 years after entry were reported at $24,407. The annual cost of attendance is listed at $28,563, and 63.1% of students received Pell Grants, indicating a large share of the student body qualifies for need-based federal aid. Job placement rates are not reported for this campus in federal data.
This campus focuses on a single program family, cosmetology, which typically appeals to students seeking a hands-on, licensure-track career rather than a multi-year associate degree path. Because the program is concentrated in one field, it may suit career changers looking for focused training, though specific program lengths and schedules are not reported for this campus in federal data. Prospective students should verify accreditation status directly with NACCAS and review outcome data on the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard before enrolling, since figures such as completion and earnings can change year to year.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
This campus offers cosmetology programs, listed as cosmetology schools with 69 completers recorded in federal data.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, it 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, and 63.1% of its students receive Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 36.8%, which is below the Virginia state average of 57.1%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Median debt among graduates is $13,583, according to federal data.
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 listed at $28,563.
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 and the type of oversight applied compared to public or non-profit institutions.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program length is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school directly at (800) 920-4593 or via https://www.empire.edu/ for details.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation with NACCAS and review federal outcome data on the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?476179.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The data shows a single focused program area in cosmetology, which may suit those seeking hands-on licensure training, though specific fit for adult career changers is not reported in federal data.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing requirements for cosmetology are not detailed in federal data; contact the school or check Virginia's cosmetology licensing board for specifics.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach the school by phone at (800) 920-4593 or through its website at https://www.empire.edu/.
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See all trade and career schools in Virginia 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.