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Empire Beauty School-Lakeland
Lakeland, Florida · Private for-profit career school
Address: Northtowne Square, 5101 US Highway 98 N, Lakeland, FL 33809 · Phone: (800) 920-4593 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Empire Beauty School-Lakeland is a private for-profit trade school in Lakeland, Florida offering cosmetology programs, accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences.
Per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, this campus has a 59.1% completion rate versus a 70.5% state average, with median graduate debt of $10,231 and median earnings of $23,589 ten years after entry.
Annual cost of attendance at Empire Beauty School-Lakeland is $22,399, federal financial aid including FAFSA and Pell Grants can be used here, and 62.4% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists | $27,450 | $29,530 | $35,090 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in Florida (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 | 52 | $17,698 | $17,848 | $12,500 |
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-Lakeland is a private for-profit trade school located in Lakeland, Florida. It is accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences, and it participates in federal Title IV student aid programs, meaning students may use FAFSA-based aid, including Pell Grants, to help pay for enrollment. The campus is a single-program school, awarding credentials in cosmetology (52 completers reported), out of an undergraduate enrollment of about 145 students.
On federal outcome measures, this campus reports a completion rate of 59.1%, which is below the state average of 70.5% for similar programs. Graduates who took out loans carried a median debt of $10,231. Median earnings among former students ten years after entry were reported at $23,589. The annual cost of attendance is listed at $22,399, and 62.4% of students received Pell Grants, indicating a large share of the student body qualifies for need-based federal aid.
This type of school generally suits students seeking a focused, single-field cosmetology credential rather than a broad associate degree, though exact program length is not reported for this campus in federal data. Career changers should weigh the below-average completion rate and earnings figures against program cost before enrolling. To verify current accreditation status and review the latest federal outcome data directly, prospective students can check the NACCAS accreditor listing and the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard for this campus.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
This campus offers cosmetology programs, with 52 reported completers in that field. It is a single-program campus focused on cosmetology schools.
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 aid programs, so students can use FAFSA-based aid, including Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 59.1%, which is below the Florida state average of 70.5% for comparable programs.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates carry a median debt of $10,231, per federal data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings among former students ten years after entry are reported at $23,589.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
The reported annual cost of attendance is $22,399.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
This is a private for-profit school, which typically means different pricing and ownership structures than public or non-profit institutions; students should compare costs and outcomes with alternatives.
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 schedule details.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can confirm accreditation through the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences and review official outcome data on the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?491145.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The school offers a focused cosmetology program rather than a multi-year degree path, which may suit those seeking a single-field credential; specific fit for career changers is not detailed in federal data, so contacting the school is recommended.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing requirements for cosmetology are not reported in this data; contact the school or Florida's licensing board to confirm requirements.
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/.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data with nearby schools is not reported for this campus in federal data; the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?491145 can be used to look up other cosmetology programs in the area.
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.