Best colleges for Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services in Illinois
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology, Educators of Beauty College of Cosmetology - Peru and The Aveda Institute of Beauty and Wellness Chicago are the top Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services programs in Illinois by graduate earnings. University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $24,468, College Scorecard. Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Bridgeview, Cosmetology & Spa Academy and G Skin & Beauty Institute award the most Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services degrees and certificates in Illinois: 304, 264 and 234 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 68 Illinois colleges offer Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services and award 4,320 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services program prepares students for a diverse career in the beauty and personal care industry. This program is ideal for individuals interested in hair, skin, and nail care, offering various…
Top 10 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology Chicago Private for-profit · Certificate | $24,468 | 47 | 100% | $17,847 | $11,667 |
| 2 | Educators of Beauty College of Cosmetology - Peru PERU Private for-profit · Certificate | $22,967 | 41 | 83% | $11,384 | $9,646 |
| 3 | The Aveda Institute of Beauty and Wellness Chicago Chicago Private for-profit · Certificate | $22,351 | 79 | 78% | $33,858 | $9,833 |
| 4 | Cosmetology & Spa Academy Crystal Lake Private for-profit · Certificate | $22,096 | 264 | 70% | $16,160 | $9,833 |
| 5 | G Skin & Beauty Institute Schaumburg Private for-profit · Certificate | $21,461 | 234 | 64% | $21,849 | $7,917 |
| 6 | University of Spa & Cosmetology Arts Springfield Private for-profit · Certificate | $21,114 | 114 | 64% | $18,748 | $5,500 |
| 7 | Cameo Beauty Academy Oak Lawn Private for-profit · Certificate | $20,447 | 28 | 59% | $14,986 | $12,700 |
| 8 | Tricoci University of Beauty Culture Urbana Private for-profit · Certificate | $20,228 | 92 | 53% | $14,915 | $11,950 |
| 9 | Estelle Skin Care and Spa Institute Skokie Private for-profit · Certificate | $20,095 | 113 | 86% | $13,837 | $7,917 |
| 10 | Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Elgin Elgin Private for-profit · Certificate | $19,879 | 127 | 89% | $18,022 | $9,000 |
Colleges awarding the most Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services degrees in Illinois
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Bridgeview Bridgeview Private for-profit | 304 | $17,943 |
| 2 | Cosmetology & Spa Academy Crystal Lake Private for-profit | 264 | $22,096 |
| 3 | G Skin & Beauty Institute Schaumburg Private for-profit | 234 | $21,461 |
| 4 | G Skin & Beauty Institute Oakbrook Private for-profit | 208 | $18,987 |
| 5 | Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Elgin Elgin Private for-profit | 127 | $19,879* |
| 6 | Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Libertyville Libertyville Private for-profit | 126 | $19,879* |
| 7 | Paul Mitchell the School - Tinley Park Tinley Park Private for-profit | 123 | $18,057 |
| 8 | Universal Spa Training Academy Downers Grove Private for-profit | 120 | $18,078 |
| 9 | Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Normal Normal Private for-profit | 117 | $17,832 |
| 10 | University of Spa & Cosmetology Arts Springfield Private for-profit | 114 | $21,114 |
ShowHide the other 58 Illinois colleges offering Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists (SOC 39-5012).
Top skills
What Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists earn in Illinois
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services programs in Illinois.
Which Illinois colleges award the most Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services degrees?+
Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Bridgeview (304 graduates a year), Cosmetology & Spa Academy (264 graduates a year) and G Skin & Beauty Institute (234 graduates a year) award the most Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services degrees and certificates in Illinois, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 68 Illinois colleges offer Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services.
What is the best college for Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services in Illinois?+
By graduate earnings, University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology leads among Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services programs in Illinois, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $24,468, College Scorecard. Educators of Beauty College of Cosmetology - Peru and The Aveda Institute of Beauty and Wellness Chicago follow. By degrees awarded, Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Bridgeview is the largest, with 304 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services program in Illinois has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology tops the list at $24,468. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists earn in Illinois?+
The average annual wage for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists in Illinois is $39,720 (median $34,040), across about 13,190 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services program?+
The Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services program prepares students for a diverse career in the beauty and personal care industry. This program is ideal for individuals interested in hair, skin, and nail care, offering various…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop active listening, speaking, critical thinking, active learning, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists?+
The national job outlook is about +5.6% growth with around 75,800 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Postsecondary nondegree award is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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