Empire Beauty School-Center City Philadelphia
A good fit for students who want small classes and close faculty access and students from lower-income families. graduation rate is below 40%; for-profit institutions have higher scrutiny — research carefully. 77% of students receive Pell Grants — strong access mission.
About This School
Empire Beauty School-Center City Philadelphia is a private for-profit institution located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with approximately 279 undergraduate students enrolled. The average net price after financial aid is $17,520 per year. The graduation rate is 35%, and the typical graduate earns $19,900 within 10 years of enrollment.
This school makes the most sense for someone who is highly self-motivated, already passionate about a career in cosmetology, and needs a hands-on, career-focused program in a major city rather than a traditional college path. The Philadelphia location is a genuine asset for building a client base and making industry connections early. That said, the numbers here deserve a hard look: only 35% of students graduate, which means nearly two out of three who start don't finish — and if you don't finish, you still owe money without the credential. Even for graduates, median earnings of $19,900 ten years out are quite low, though the median debt of $10,667 is at least manageable compared to what many schools leave students carrying. My honest advice is this — if you're committed to cosmetology as a career, go in with a clear plan to finish, understand the income ceiling you're likely working within, and treat this as a starting point rather than a guaranteed path to financial stability.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: -15% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (279 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Address
Empire Beauty School-Center City Philadelphia
1522 Chestnut St
Philadelphia, PA 19102-2701
Official Links
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See How Colleges Compare
Empire Beauty School-Center City Philadelphia is one of thousands of colleges in our data studies, each built from the same U.S. Department of Education data shown on this page. Compare schools head to head:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Empire Beauty School-Center City Philadelphia cost?
The average net price at Empire Beauty School-Center City Philadelphia is about $17,520 per year after grants and scholarships, based on federal data. Your actual cost depends on your family's finances and aid package.
What is the graduation rate at Empire Beauty School-Center City Philadelphia?
Empire Beauty School-Center City Philadelphia has a graduation rate of 35%, according to U.S. Department of Education data.
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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