Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Illinois

Find Schools Near

2023 Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Illinois

Identifying Quality Schools at More Affordable Prices

43 Colleges
$8,104 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$17,014 Avg Salary

Finding the Best Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate 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 Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Illinois to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 43 schools in Illinois to see which ones offered the best value undergraduate certificate programs for cosmetology students. The goal was to highlight schools with more affordable prices than others offering similar quality experiences.

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.

2023 Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Illinois

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

Top 25 Best Illinois Schools for Affordable Quality for an Award Taking 1 to 4 Years in Cosmetology

#1

Lake Land College

Mattoon, IL

Our analysis found Lake Land College to be the best value school for cosmetology students who want to pursue a undergraduate certificate in Illinois. Located in the town of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a public school with a small student population.

Lake Land College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,104 in in-state tuition and fees each year. After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from Lake Land College carry an average student debtload of $5,570.

Read More…

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Illinois list. Harry S Truman College is a small public school located in the large city of Chicago.

In-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Harry S Truman College are $11,520 per year. On average, cosmetology graduates from Harry S Truman College take out $20,722 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.

Read More…

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Glendale Heights. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Illinois list. Tricoci GLH is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Glendale Heights.

After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from Tricoci GLH carry an average student debtload of $14,226. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $115.

Full Cosmetology at Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Glendale Heights Report

Out of the 43 schools in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, Niles School of Cosmetology landed the # 3 spot on the list. Located in the large suburb of Niles, Niles School of Cosmetology is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

While working on their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology majors at Niles School of Cosmetology accumulate an average of around $12,501 in student debt.

Read More…

Out of the 43 schools in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, Educators of Beauty College of Cosmetology-Rockford landed the # 3 spot on the list. Educators of Beauty College of Cosmetology-Rockford is a small private for-profit school located in the midsize city of Rockford.

The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $73, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read More…

#3

Cameo Beauty Academy

Oak Lawn, IL

Out of the 43 schools in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, Cameo Beauty Academy landed the # 3 spot on the list. Cameo Beauty Academy is a small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Oak Lawn.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Cameo Beauty Academy

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Educators of Beauty College of Cosmetology-Sterling. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Illinois list. Located in the town of Sterling, Educators of Beauty College of Cosmetology-Sterling is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $73, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Cosmetology at Educators of Beauty College of Cosmetology-Sterling Report

The excellent undergraduate certificate programs at The Salon Professional Academy - Shorewood helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best value cosmetology schools in Illinois. TSPA - Shorewood is a small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Shorewood.

On average, cosmetology graduates from TSPA - Shorewood take out $13,961 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.

Full Cosmetology at The Salon Professional Academy - Shorewood Report

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Chicago NE is a great value for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in the city of Chicago, Tricoci CNE is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

On average, cosmetology graduates from Tricoci CNE take out $14,226 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $115.

Full Cosmetology at Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Chicago NE Report

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology is a great value for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in the city of Chicago, University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

Cosmetology majors at University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology take out an average of $14,897 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.

Read More…

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend John Amico School of Hair Design. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Illinois list. John Amico School of Hair Design is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Oak Forest.

Cosmetology majors at John Amico School of Hair Design take out an average of $17,471 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $64.

Read More…

Out of the 43 schools in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, Aveda Institute - Chicago landed the # 3 spot on the list. Located in the large city of Chicago, Aveda Institute - Chicago is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

Cosmetology majors at Aveda Institute - Chicago take out an average of $14,772 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $140, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Aveda Institute - Chicago

Out of the 43 schools in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, Hair Professionals Career College landed the # 3 spot on the 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 $15,231 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Hair Professionals Career College

Out of the 43 schools in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, Paul Mitchell the School Chicago landed the # 3 spot on the list. Located in the city of Chicago, Paul Mitchell the School Chicago is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

Cosmetology majors at Paul Mitchell the School Chicago take out an average of $15,329 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $122, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School Chicago Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Professional’s Choice Hair Design Academy. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Illinois list. Professional's Choice Hair Design Academy is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Joliet.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Professional’s Choice Hair Design Academy

Out of the 43 schools in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, Empire Beauty School-Vernon Hills landed the # 3 spot on the list. Empire Beauty School-Vernon Hills is a small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Vernon Hills.

After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from Empire Beauty School-Vernon Hills carry an average student debtload of $16,907. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $73, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Empire Beauty School-Vernon Hills

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Innovations Design Academy. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Illinois list. Located in the town of Canton, Innovations Design Academy is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

While working on their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology majors at Innovations Design Academy accumulate an average of around $11,366 in student debt.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Innovations Design Academy

The excellent undergraduate certificate programs at Oehrlein School of Cosmetology helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best value cosmetology schools in Illinois. Oehrlein School of Cosmetology is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of East Peoria.

Full Cosmetology at Oehrlein School of Cosmetology Report

Out of the 43 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 fairly small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Dekalb.

Full Cosmetology at Debutantes School of Cosmetology and Nail Technology Report

The excellent undergraduate certificate programs at Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Danville helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best value cosmetology schools in Illinois. Located in the small city of Danville, Tricoci Danville is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

Cosmetology majors at Tricoci Danville take out an average of $12,654 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate. 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-Danville Report

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Educators of Beauty College of Cosmetology-Peru is a great value for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in the town of Peru, Educators of Beauty College of Cosmetology-Peru is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

Full Cosmetology at Educators of Beauty College of Cosmetology-Peru Report

#3

Capri Beauty College

Oak Forest, IL

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Capri Beauty College. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Illinois list. Located in the suburb of Oak Forest, Capri Beauty College is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Capri Beauty College take out while working on their Undergraduate Certificate is $13,047. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $92, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Capri Beauty College

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Hair Professionals School of Cosmetology. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Illinois list. Hair Professionals School of Cosmetology is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Oswego.

Read More…

#3

Larry's Barber College

Chicago, IL

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Larry’s Barber College is a great value for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in the city of Chicago, Larry's Barber College is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from Larry's Barber College carry an average student debtload of $7,416.

Read More…

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Peoria is a great value for cosmetology students working on their undergraduate certificate. Tricoci PEO is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the city of Peoria.

After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from Tricoci PEO carry an average student debtload of $13,462. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $106.

Full Cosmetology at Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Peoria Report

Additional 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 Undergraduate Certificate 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

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 43 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.

Featured Schools

Find Schools Near You

Our free school finder matches students with accredited colleges across the U.S.