2023 Best Value Cosmetology Schools in Illinois
Identifying Quality Schools at More Affordable Prices
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.
To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Best Value Cosmetology Schools in Illinois ranking. Our analysis looked at 45 schools in Illinois to see which programs offered the best value experiences for cosmetology students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.
When determining this ranking, we place a high emphasis on the school's quality as well as its sticker price. Even though a college may be affordable, it may not offer value. More specifically, we discount our quality score by the published tuition and fees charged by a school. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The value is determined by how much quality your dollar buys.
Our calculations use out-of-state tuition and fees in our nationwide and regional rankings. Average in-state tuition and fees are used for our statewide rankings.
Top 25 Best Illinois Schools for Affordable Quality in Cosmetology
Our 2023 rankings named Lake Land College the best value school in Illinois for cosmetology students. Located in the distant town of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a public school with a small student population.
In-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Lake Land College are $8,104 per year. On average, cosmetology graduates from Lake Land College take out $4,550 in student loans while working on their degree.
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A rank of #2 on this year’s list means City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College is a great value for cosmetology students. Harry S Truman College is a small public school located in the large city of Chicago.
Harry S Truman College undergraduate students pay an average of $11,520 in in-state tuition and fees each year. On average, cosmetology graduates from Harry S Truman College take out $22,237 in student loans while working on their degree.
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Out of the 45 schools in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, Debutantes School of Cosmetology and Nail Technology landed the # 3 spot on the list. Debutantes School of Cosmetology and Nail Technology is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Dekalb.
While working on their degree, cosmetology majors at Debutantes School of Cosmetology and Nail Technology accumulate an average of around $9,833 in student debt.
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Out of the 45 schools in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, G Skin & Beauty Institute landed the # 3 spot on the list. G Skin and Beauty Institute is a small private for-profit school located in the small 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 Hair Professionals Career College. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Schools in Illinois list. Hair Professionals Career College is a small private for-profit school located in the small suburb of Sycamore.
On average, cosmetology graduates from Hair Professionals Career College take out $12,557 in student loans while working on their degree.
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You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Aveda Institute - Chicago. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Cosmetology Schools in Illinois list. Located in the large city of Chicago, Aveda Institute - Chicago is a private for-profit college with a 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.
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A rank of #3 on this year’s list means John Amico School of Hair Design is a great value for cosmetology students. John Amico School of Hair Design is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Oak Forest.
The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at John Amico School of Hair Design take out is $13,605. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $64.
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A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Pivot Point Academy is a great value for cosmetology students. Pivot Point Academy is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Bloomingdale.
After completing their degree, cosmetology graduates from Pivot Point Academy carry an average student debtload of $9,833. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $118, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
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A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Professional’s Choice Hair Design Academy is a great value for cosmetology students. Professional's Choice Hair Design Academy is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Joliet.
While working on their degree, cosmetology majors at Professional's Choice Hair Design Academy accumulate an average of around $9,805 in student debt.
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A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Bridgeview is a great value for cosmetology students. Tricoci BRV is a small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Bridgeview.
After completing their degree, cosmetology graduates from Tricoci BRV carry an average student debtload of $12,171. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $78, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
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You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Trenz Beauty Academy. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Cosmetology Schools in Illinois list. Located in the suburb of Calumet City, Trenz Beauty Academy is a private for-profit college with a small student population.
While working on their degree, cosmetology majors at Trenz Beauty Academy accumulate an average of around $16,890 in student debt.
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A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Chicago NE is a great value for cosmetology students. Located in the city of Chicago, Tricoci CNE is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.
On average, cosmetology graduates from Tricoci CNE take out $13,250 in student loans while working on their degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $115.
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The excellent programs at Educators of Beauty College of Cosmetology-Rockford helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best cosmetology schools in Illinois. Educators of Beauty College of Cosmetology-Rockford is a small private for-profit school located in the medium-sized city of Rockford.
On average, cosmetology graduates from Educators of Beauty College of Cosmetology-Rockford take out $9,833 in student loans while working on their degree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $73, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
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You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Elgin. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Cosmetology Schools in Illinois list. Located in the city of Elgin, Tricoci Elgin is a private for-profit college with a small student population.
While working on their degree, cosmetology majors at Tricoci Elgin accumulate an average of around $9,000 in student debt. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $95.
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The excellent programs at Innovations Design Academy helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best cosmetology schools in Illinois. Located in the distant town of Canton, Innovations Design Academy is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.
The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Innovations Design Academy take out is $9,500.
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Out of the 45 schools in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, Paul Mitchell the School Bradley landed the # 3 spot on the list. Located in the suburb of Bourbonnais, Paul Mitchell the School Bradley is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.
After completing their degree, cosmetology graduates from Paul Mitchell the School Bradley carry an average student debtload of $11,642. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $87.
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You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Capri Beauty College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Cosmetology Schools in Illinois list. Located in the suburb of Oak Forest, Capri Beauty College is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.
While working on their degree, cosmetology majors at Capri Beauty College accumulate an average of around $9,833 in student debt. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $92, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
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The excellent programs at The Salon Professional Academy - Shorewood helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best cosmetology schools in Illinois. TSPA - Shorewood is a small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Shorewood.
The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at TSPA - Shorewood take out is $11,000.
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A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Universal Spa Training Academy is a great value for cosmetology students. Universal Spa Training Academy is a small private for-profit school located in the large 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 Estelle Skin Care and Spa Institute. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Schools in Illinois list. 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.
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A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Cosmetology & Spa Academy is a great value for cosmetology students. Located in the suburb of Crystal Lake, Cosmetology & Spa Academy is a private for-profit school with a fairly 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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You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Empire Beauty School-Vernon Hills. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Cosmetology Schools in Illinois list. Empire Beauty School-Vernon Hills is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Vernon Hills.
While working on their degree, cosmetology majors at Empire Beauty School-Vernon Hills accumulate an average of around $14,506 in student debt. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $73, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
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A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Cameo Beauty Academy is a great value for cosmetology students. Cameo Beauty Academy is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Oak Lawn.
After completing their degree, cosmetology graduates from Cameo Beauty Academy carry an average student debtload of $12,500.
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The excellent programs at Educators of Beauty College of Cosmetology-Sterling helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best cosmetology schools in Illinois. Located in the town of Sterling, Educators of Beauty College of Cosmetology-Sterling is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.
While working on their degree, cosmetology majors at Educators of Beauty College of Cosmetology-Sterling accumulate an average of around $9,833 in student debt. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $73, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
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The excellent programs at University of Spa & Cosmetology Arts helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best cosmetology schools in Illinois. University of Spa & Cosmetology Arts is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Springfield.
Cosmetology majors at University of Spa & Cosmetology Arts take out an average of $5,500 in student loans while working on their egree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $58.
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Request InformationAdditional Noteworthy Schools
Here are some additional great value schools for Cosmetology students in the state of Illinois seeking value that almost earned our Best Value Cosmetology Schools in Illinois award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|
Best Value Cosmetology Colleges in the Great Lakes Region
Explore all the Best Value Cosmetology Schools in the Great Lakes Area or other specific states within that region.
| State | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|
| Michigan | 6 |
| Ohio | 15 |
| Indiana | 8 |
| Wisconsin | 6 |
More Cosmetology Rankings in Illinois
Cosmetology Related Majors for Cosmetology
Cosmetology is one of 4 different types of programs to choose from.
Most Popular Majors Related to Cosmetology
| 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 45 schools only.
- 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.