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Best Cosmetology Schools in Illinois

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2023 Best Cosmetology Schools in Illinois

45 Colleges
$17,593 Avg Salary
$11,126 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Cosmetology School for You

In 2020-2021, 19 degrees and certificates were awarded to cosmetology students who went to a Illinois college or university. This makes it the #240 most popular major in the state.

There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which program is right for you. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country. On top of that, there are a considerable number of trade schools that offer fast-track entry to many fields.

Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Course Advisor has created the Best Cosmetology Schools in Illinois to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 45 schools in Illinois to see which ones offered the best programs for students.

View our full ranking methodology.

2023 Best Cosmetology Schools in Illinois

The following schools top our list of the Best Cosmetology Colleges.

Top 10 Best Cosmetology Schools

Our analysis found University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology to be the best school for cosmetology students who want to pursue a degree in Illinois. Located in the city of Chicago, University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

After completing their degree, cosmetology graduates from University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology carry an average student debtload of $10,542.

Full Cosmetology at University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology Report

#2

Universal Spa Training Academy

Downers Grove, IL

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Universal Spa Training Academy. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Schools in Illinois list. Universal Spa Training Academy is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Downers Grove.

The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Universal Spa Training Academy take out is $7,917.

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You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend The University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Schools in Illinois list. The University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Downers Grove.

Cosmetology majors at The University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology take out an average of $7,917 in student loans while working on their egree.

Read full report on Cosmetology at The University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology

#4

G Skin & Beauty Institute

West Dundee, IL

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend G Skin & Beauty Institute. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Cosmetology Schools in Illinois list. G Skin and Beauty Institute is a small private for-profit school located in the city of West Dundee.

On average, cosmetology graduates from G Skin and Beauty Institute take out $8,647 in student loans while working on their degree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $69, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Aveda Institute - Chicago. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Schools in Illinois list. Located in the large city of Chicago, Aveda Institute - Chicago is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

While working on their degree, cosmetology majors at Aveda Institute - Chicago accumulate an average of around $10,084 in student debt. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $140, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Cosmetology at Aveda Institute - Chicago Report

Estelle Skin Care and Spa Institute came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Schools in Illinois ranking. Estelle Skin Care and Spa Institute is a small private for-profit school located in the small city of Skokie.

After completing their degree, cosmetology graduates from Estelle Skin Care and Spa Institute carry an average student debtload of $7,917.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Estelle Skin Care and Spa Institute

G Skin & Beauty Institute came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Cosmetology Schools in Illinois ranking. Located in the large suburb of Oakbrook, Naperville Skin Institute is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

On average, cosmetology graduates from Naperville Skin Institute take out $7,917 in student loans while working on their degree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $91, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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#8

Cosmetology & Spa Academy

Crystal Lake, IL

Cosmetology & Spa Academy ranked #8 on this year’s Best Cosmetology Schools in Illinois list. Located in the large suburb of Crystal Lake, Cosmetology & Spa Academy is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

While working on their degree, cosmetology majors at Cosmetology & Spa Academy accumulate an average of around $9,833 in student debt.

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Niles School of Cosmetology landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best cosmetology programs. Located in the suburb of Niles, Niles School of Cosmetology is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

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With a ranking of #10, Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Libertyville did quite well on this year’s best schools for cosmetology students. Tricoci LBV is a small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Libertyville.

On average, cosmetology graduates from Tricoci LBV take out $9,000 in student loans while working on their degree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $95.

Full Cosmetology at Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Libertyville Report

Best Cosmetology Colleges in the Great Lakes Region

Explore all the Best Cosmetology Colleges in the Great Lakes Area or other specific states within that region.

State Degrees Awarded
Michigan 6
Ohio 15
Indiana 8
Wisconsin 6

Cosmetology is one of 4 different types of programs to choose from.

Related Major Annual Graduates
Culinary Arts 19,806
Funeral & Mortuary Science 2,354
Casino Operations and Services 192
Other Personal & Culinary Services 81

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of the rest of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Credit for the banner image above goes to Tiffany Bumgardner.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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