Programs Offered

Cosmetology

Recent Reviews

1/2/2026 via Google
1/2/2026
via Google

Haley was so professional, customer oriented, and kind and caring. She wanted me to leave feeling happy with her service and feeling good about myself. It worked. Thank you Haley. I was impressed with the instructors who were very kind and helpful. I am walking away with gratitude and such a positive feeling. Bethany and Julia are amazing. They create a great learning environment for the students. Well done everyone.

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12/18/2025 via Google
12/18/2025
via Google

I’ve visited this Empire Beauty School location twice, and overall I’ve had good experiences. My first visit was a full service in one day: locs bleached and colored, retwist, plus a manicure and pedicure. Multiple students worked together as a team, and everything turned out beautiful. The environment felt professional, welcoming, and well supervised. The only thing I noticed from that visit was that the manicure and pedicure didn’t last as long as I expected, as the polish and gel began coming off in less than a week. I was hoping it would last through my vacation, but I understand this is a school setting. My second visit was last Friday on the 12th of November for a wash and retwist. Azala did my locs again and styled them, and she did a great job overall. She was kind, professional, and very helpful with hair-care tips, including writing down detox product recommendations. My only concern from the second visit is that several of my thinner locs were combined together into single sections. I was hoping only one thin loc would be combined or crocheted if needed. My long-term goal is to keep my locs separate so I can eventually take them out once they reach my desired length, and I’m concerned the sizing may not stay even in the future. During this visit, my manicure and pedicure did not end up happening due to some appointment confusion, and I chose to leave since I had a doctor’s appointment and couldn’t stay all day. Overall, I still had a good experience and would recommend Empire Beauty School to first-timers or anyone who prefers a professional salon environment over home-based services. Some of the instructors are present, and clients are checked on throughout the service.

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12/10/2025 via Google
12/10/2025
via Google

I had my first appointment at the school and Mackenzie R did an amazing job! I was her first long hair cut and highlight. She was incredibly professional and thorough and listened to everything I said. She provided tons of advice on hair care and what I should be using and recommended products. I was impressed with her instructor (Miss Ashley) who was very supportive and encouraging of her from start to finish and would jump in and help when ever Mackenzie had a question and checked in frequently. I will 100% be back for future services.

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Images provided by Empire Beauty School - Grand Rapids

In the School's Words

Dreaming of a future in Cosmetology? Enjoy the personal rewards of helping people look and feel their best. Empire Beauty School offers you a one-of-a-kind educational approach to learning the latest trends and fundamentals of Cosmetology.

You'll learn:

  • Haircutting
  • Styling
  • Coloring
  • Make-up Application
  • And more!

You'll also learn the business basics as we show you how to:

  • Market your skills to new clients
  • Retain clientele
  • Increase your income potential
  • Manage a salon or spa
  • Sell professional products to your clients

Our Programs

At Empire Beauty School, our one-of-a-kind CLiC curriculum is a visual approach to learning. With our education you learn by seeing and doing.

Plus you'll apply your skills on your mannequins using your professional student kit. As part of your new student kit you will receive the Career Success Tablet. Your textbooks and curriculum are downloaded onto your tablet. As you progress through your training, you'll have the confidence to work in a student salon environment with guests.

Financial Aid

Financial aid is available to those who qualify. Our friendly financial aid representatives will help you find the financing that suits you best. We offer a variety of options to help you afford your dreams.

BeautyCareer.com

BeautyCareer.com is a website for Empire Beauty School students and alumni seeking career opportunities. Stylists can create resumes, develop digital portfolios, search for career opportunities and apply for open positions through one simple site. The beauty career website is part of the education process at Empire which assists students to better understand these elements of their career. Empire Beauty Schools offers job placement assistance through our website BeautyCareer.com.

Empire Beauty Schools are accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences (NACCAS).

For more information about Empire Beauty School's graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the program, and other important information, please visit our website at www.empire.edu/consumer-info.

Programs

Empire Beauty School - Grand Rapids offers the following programs:

Cosmetology

Cosmetology

Program Length 1,500 hours
Average Completion 11 months
Program Tuition $19,260

Beauty Instructor

Program Length 600 hours
Average Completion 5 months
Program Tuition $6,600

About This School

Accreditation or State Approval

National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts & Sciences (NACCAS)

One or more programs offered at this school is accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accredited programs qualify graduates for applicable state licensing. In addition, accredited schools typically can offer more financial aid options, including federal financial aid. Learn more about accreditation and approval.

Admissions

To apply to this school, there is a $125 application fee.

Financial Aid

51% of students received financial aid

On average, students received $4895 in financial aid.

Student Body

Gender Ratio

91% Female, 9% Male

Race / Ethnicity Ratio

42% White, 19% Hispanic / Latino, 15% African American, 1% Asian American, 2% American Indian, 0% Hawaiian / Pacific, 7% Two or More, 15% Unknown

259 students are enrolled in this school

Contact This School

Get In Touch

Need Help Paying for School?

Apply for the Beauty Schools Directory $2,500 scholarship to help pay for your education!

Data Integrity

This information about the school and its programs is reported based on publicly available sources. Though we make periodic updates to our database, program information can change quickly, so always verify directly with the school. In between our periodic updates, we make ad hoc updates when requested as our editorial resources allow.

Page last updated: 01/24/2025

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