Empire Beauty School-North Hills
A good fit for students who want small classes and close faculty access and students from lower-income families. for-profit institutions have higher scrutiny — research carefully. 72% of students receive Pell Grants — strong access mission.
About This School
Empire Beauty School-North Hills is a private for-profit institution located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with approximately 83 undergraduate students enrolled. The average net price after financial aid is $18,083 per year. The graduation rate is 49%, and the typical graduate earns $19,900 within 10 years of enrollment.
This school is best suited for students who are passionate about a career in cosmetology and want a focused, hands-on training environment rather than a traditional college experience — but families should go in with eyes open. The 49% graduation rate means roughly half of students who start don't finish, which is a real red flag worth discussing before you commit. On the debt side, things are relatively manageable — median debt at graduation is $10,667, which is lower than many programs — but the median earnings of $19,900 ten years out tell a sobering story about what this credential typically leads to financially. Before enrolling, I'd strongly encourage your student to talk to working cosmetologists in Pittsburgh about their actual income and job market experience, since the numbers suggest this career path requires building a clientele and possibly supplementing income for several years. If your student is truly driven by the craft and has a clear plan for building their business after licensure, this could be a reasonable starting point — but it's not a decision to make without that honest conversation about long-term finances.
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 (83 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Other Schools in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA · Public
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA · Public
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus
Pittsburgh, PA · Public
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
West Chester, PA · Public
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA · Private nonprofit
Community College of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA · Public
See How Colleges Compare
Empire Beauty School-North Hills 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-North Hills cost?
The average net price at Empire Beauty School-North Hills is about $18,083 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-North Hills?
Empire Beauty School-North Hills has a graduation rate of 49%, 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.
All school names, logos, and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Their use on this page is for identification purposes only and does not imply endorsement or affiliation with CollegeHelpGuide.