Empire Beauty Schools

What Empire Beauty Schools does

Empire Beauty Schools, legally Empire Education Group, Inc., is a private for-profit cosmetology education company headquartered in Pottsville, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1940, the company operates 100+ campus locations across 21 U.S. states, making it one of the largest beauty school systems in the country. Empire delivers licensed beauty and wellness education through six core programs: Cosmetology (1,250 instructional hours, 42 weeks full-time or 84 weeks part-time), Educator Training, Esthetics/Aesthetics, Facial Specialist, Hybrid Cosmetology (combining online and in-person instruction), and Nail Technology. All programs are accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences (NACCAS) and approved in each state of operation, with Title IX compliance maintained across the network.

The company's core technology asset is its proprietary CLiC (Creative Learning in Cosmetology) curriculum, which differentiates it by teaching both technical cosmetology skills and the business competencies required to build a clientele and operate a salon. Instruction emphasizes hands-on training with real clients from day one through supervised student salon/clinic services. A Student Portal mobile and web application, built on the Ex Libris campusM platform, supports students with attendance tracking, financial information, academic progress, and document management.

Empire's revenue model is tuition-based with financial aid, scholarships, and grants (including HEERF emergency grants) supplementing out-of-pocket student payments. Direct-to-consumer enrollment is conducted via the company website, campus tours, and admissions representative outreach, with new classes starting approximately every three weeks. Primary customer segments are prospective beauty professionals (high school graduates, career changers, and adults seeking licensure), with secondary segments including licensed professionals pursuing advancement through educator training and high school students exploring careers via partnership programs. The company operates multiple marketing channels including its website, social media (Instagram, Facebook, X/Twitter, YouTube, TikTok), blog content, campus tours, industry events, and high school/workforce partnerships for recruitment.

Name

Empire Beauty Schools

Legal name

Empire Education Group, Inc.

Website

https://empire.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1940

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Empire Beauty Schools (Empire Education Group, Inc.) is a private for-profit cosmetology education network operating 100+ campuses across 21 U.S. states. It delivers licensed beauty programs—cosmetology, esthetics, nail technology, educator training—using its proprietary CLiC curriculum to prospective and advancing beauty professionals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cosmetology Education

NAICS

Cosmetology and Barber Schools (611511), Technical and Trade Schools (6115)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Cosmetology Schools & Programs (HSALANAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cosmetology (General) (EDAOALAA), Esthetics & Skincare Training Programs (HSALANAB), Nail Technology (Manicure/Pedicure) Training Programs (HSALANAC)

Keywords

• Cosmetology education
• Beauty school programs
• Esthetician training
• Nail technology training
• Licensed beauty careers

Headquarters

HQ city

Pottsville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Educational Services: Revenue generated from tuition for cosmetology and related beauty programs. Financial aid, scholarships, and grants are available to qualifying students to help cover costs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Empire Beauty Schools operates a nationwide network of 100+ accredited cosmetology campuses offering state-licensed training programs in cosmetology, esthetics/aesthetics, facial specialty, nail technology, hybrid cosmetology, and educator training. Students receive instruction through the proprietary CLiC curriculum combining technical skills with salon business training, gain hands-on experience serving real clients in supervised student salons, and are prepared for state Board of Cosmetology licensure exams.

Product overview

Empire Beauty School is a cosmetology education system offering multiple beauty programs across multiple campus locations in 21 states. The core product portfolio includes Cosmetology, Educator Training, Esthetics/Aesthetics, Facial Specialist, Hybrid Cosmetology, and Nail Technology programs. Students receive hands-on training by working with real clients in supervised salon/clinic settings. The school also provides a Student Portal app for academic and financial management. Programs follow a structured curriculum (Creative Learning in Cosmetology - CLiC) and prepare graduates for state licensing exams.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Cosmetology Program Core cosmetology program covering haircutting, hair coloring, facials, makeup, manicuring, and salon management through 1,250 hours of instruction; prepares students to sit for the state Board of Cosmetology exam and pursue licensed beauty careers.
• Educator Training Program Training program for individuals seeking to become licensed cosmetology educators and teach the next generation of beauty professionals.
• Esthetics / Aesthetics Program Skincare professional training program teaching the latest tools and techniques needed to become a licensed esthetician.
• Facial Specialist Program Specialized program focused on facial treatments and skincare services, preparing students for facial specialist licensure.
• Hybrid Cosmetology Program Hybrid hairdressing program combining online and in-person training to deliver cosmetology certification with greater scheduling flexibility.
• Nail Technology Program Professional nail technician training program developing skills and confidence for manicures, pedicures, and nail services, preparing students for nail technology licensure.
• Student Salon/Clinic Services Hands-on salon and clinic services performed by students under licensed educator supervision, offering affordable beauty services to the public while providing students real-client experience.
• Student Portal App Mobile and web application enabling enrolled students to check attendance, view financial information, access enrollment details, review academic progress, and manage academic documents.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,250 hours of cosmetology instruction
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Great ClipsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGreat Clips provides the Alice Madden Barton Scholarship Program for current students, high school students, and anyone interested in cosmetology or barbering. Scholarships can be used at any cosmetology or barbering school and are given out twice a year in January and July.
• Beauty Schools Marketing GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBeauty Schools Marketing Group offers a $2,500 cosmetology school scholarship to help cosmetology students pursue their dreams through BeautySchoolsDirectory.com.
• Three Corners EmploymentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorkforce organization partner that collaborated with Empire Beauty School Elizabethtown, KY for high school campus visits focused on career exploration in the beauty industry.
• Grayson County High SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal high school partnered with Empire Beauty School Elizabethtown, KY for campus visits introducing students to cosmetology education and career pathways.
• Sensory-Safe CutsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration between Empire Beauty School educator Rosemarie Del Plato and Danna Dennis, founder of Sensory-Safe Cuts, to bring inclusive beauty training to beauty schools across New Jersey and beyond.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Paul Mitchell Schools: Paul Mitchell Schools is a nationwide network of cosmetology and barbering schools that is the closest direct competitor to Empire, offering similar accredited cosmetology, esthetics, and instructor programs through company-owned and franchise-style campuses across the U.S.
• Aveda Institutes: Aveda Institutes operate cosmetology and esthetics schools across the U.S. (most recently as part of Pivot Point Labs), directly competing with Empire in the licensed beauty professional training market with a brand-aligned, premium positioning.
• The Salon Professional Academy (TSPA): TSPA is a national franchise network of cosmetology and esthetics schools that competes directly with Empire on cosmetology program offerings, admissions approach, and multi-state campus footprint.
• Tricoci University of Beauty Culture: Tricoci is a multi-campus for-profit cosmetology and esthetics school chain operating primarily in the Midwest, offering the same accredited cosmetology curriculum as Empire and competing for overlapping prospective-student segments.

Regional players

• Xenon International Academy: Xenon International is a multi-location cosmetology and esthetics academy with campuses in the Midwest and South, comparable to Empire's regional schools in program mix and target student demographic.
• Ogle School: Ogle School operates cosmetology, esthetics, and nail technology campuses across Texas with a similar accredited, hands-on curriculum and student-salon model — directly comparable as a regional chain peer to Empire's footprint.
• Evergreen Beauty College: Evergreen Beauty College is a multi-campus cosmetology and esthetics chain in the Pacific Northwest, comparable to Empire in program scope, NACCAS accreditation, and reliance on Title IV financial aid.

Broad incumbents

• Empire Education Group (private operator peers) — Alternative: BTC Bank-affiliated community college cosmetology programs: Public community colleges offering cosmetology programs (e.g., through state boards) represent the broader incumbent lower-cost alternative that competes with Empire on tuition and financial-aid-driven enrollment, although with smaller program depth.

Others

• Sport Clips (franchisor partner): Sport Clips is a major franchise employer of Empire graduates and a strategic partner (Battle of the Hair competition, scholarships); relevant as the downstream employer that shapes Empire's curriculum and placement outcomes.
• Great Clips: Great Clips is the largest U.S. hair-care franchise and a partner via the Alice Madden Barton Scholarship Program; relevant as the dominant employer channel shaping demand for Empire's cosmetology graduates.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/EmpireBeauty
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/empireeducation
• Facebookfacebook.com/EmpireBeautySchool
• Instagraminstagram.com/empirebeautyschool
• TikToktiktok.com/@empirebeautyschools

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Empire Beauty Schools