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Most Popular Cosmetology Schools in Illinois

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2023 Most Popular Cosmetology Schools in Illinois

71 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.

To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Most Popular Cosmetology Schools in Illinois ranking. Our analysis looked at 71 schools in Illinois to see which programs were the most popular for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from the Cosmetology program at each school on the list.

The colleges and universities below are the most popular for cosmetology majors pursuing a .

#1

G Skin & Beauty Institute

West Dundee, IL

Our 2023 rankings named G Skin & Beauty Institute the most popular school in Illinois for cosmetology students. G Skin and Beauty Institute is a small private for-profit school located in the city of West Dundee.

While working on their degree, cosmetology majors at G Skin and Beauty Institute accumulate an average of around $8,647 in student debt. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $69, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Cosmetology at G Skin & Beauty Institute Report

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means G Skin & Beauty Institute is a great place for cosmetology students. Located in the large suburb of Oakbrook, Naperville Skin Institute is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

Cosmetology majors at Naperville Skin Institute take out an average of $7,917 in student loans while working on their egree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $91, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read More…

#3

Trenz Beauty Academy

Calumet City, IL

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Trenz Beauty Academy. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Most Popular Cosmetology Schools in Illinois list. Located in the suburb of Calumet City, Trenz Beauty Academy is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

After completing their degree, cosmetology graduates from Trenz Beauty Academy carry an average student debt load of $16,890.

Full Cosmetology at Trenz Beauty Academy Report

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Bridgeview is a great place for cosmetology students. Tricoci BRV is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Bridgeview.

Cosmetology majors at Tricoci BRV take out an average of $12,171 in student loans while working on their egree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $78, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Bridgeview

#5

Cosmetology & Spa Academy

Crystal Lake, IL

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Cosmetology & Spa Academy is a great place for cosmetology students. Located in the large suburb of Crystal Lake, Cosmetology & Spa Academy is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

After completing their degree, cosmetology graduates from Cosmetology & Spa Academy carry an average student debt load of $9,833.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Cosmetology & Spa Academy

John Amico School of Hair Design came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Cosmetology Schools in Illinois ranking. John Amico School of Hair Design is a 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 $13,605 in student loans while working on their egree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $64.

Full Cosmetology at John Amico School of Hair Design Report

Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Chicago NW landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular cosmetology programs. Located in the city of Chicago, Tricoci CNW is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

After completing their degree, cosmetology graduates from Tricoci CNW carry an average student debt load of $12,169. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $81.

Read More…

#8

Universal Spa Training Academy

Downers Grove, IL

Universal Spa Training Academy landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular cosmetology programs. Universal Spa Training Academy is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Downers Grove.

After completing their degree, cosmetology graduates from Universal Spa Training Academy carry an average student debt load of $7,917.

Read More…

With a ranking of #9, Estelle Skin Care and Spa Institute did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for cosmetology students. Estelle Skin Care and Spa Institute is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the small city of Skokie.

The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Estelle Skin Care and Spa Institute take out is $7,917.

Full Cosmetology at Estelle Skin Care and Spa Institute Report

Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Rockford came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Cosmetology Schools in Illinois ranking. Tricoci RFD is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the midsize city of Rockford.

The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Tricoci RFD take out is $9,320. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $83, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read More…

Additional Noteworthy Schools

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also popular but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Most Popular Cosmetology Schools in Illinois award.

Rank College Location
11 Aveda Institute - Chicago Chicago, IL
12 Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Libertyville Libertyville, IL
13 University of Spa & Cosmetology Arts Springfield, IL
14 Paul Mitchell the School Bradley Bourbonnais, IL

Best Cosmetology Colleges in the Great Lakes Region

Explore all the Most Popular 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.

  • 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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