56 schools · Illinois
Cosmetology and barber schools in Illinois
56 schools in Illinois offer cosmetology and barbering programs (12 of them public), with 56 certificate and 6 associate programs between them. Graduates of the typical certificate program here earned $24,668 a year after finishing, compared with $23,112 nationally.
All cosmetology and barbering programs in Illinois
Sorted by earnings one year after graduation. Click a heading to sort; tuition is the school's yearly tuition and fees (2025-26), in-state for public schools.
| School | Type | Credential | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Earnings 4 yrs after | Median debt | School tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Aveda Institute of Beauty and Wellness ChicagoChicago, IL | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 97 | $31,313 | $34,973 | $7,917 | $16,400 |
| College of DuPageGlen Ellyn, IL | Community college | Certificate | 10 | $30,417 | n/a | n/a | $4,680 |
| G Skin & Beauty InstituteOakbrook, IL | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 246 | $29,765 | $32,941 | $7,917 | $15,600 |
| Estelle Skin Care and Spa InstituteSkokie, IL | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 113 | $29,198 | $27,483 | $7,785 | $11,325 |
| Pivot Point AcademyBloomingdale, IL | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 122 | $27,662 | $32,317 | $9,833 | $22,500 |
| G Skin & Beauty InstituteSchaumburg, IL | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 380 | $27,171 | $32,611 | $6,333 | $17,500 |
| Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-ElginElgin, IL | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 122 | $26,739 | $33,019 | $7,307 | $13,284 |
| Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-LibertyvilleLibertyville, IL | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 163 | $26,739 | $33,019 | $7,307 | $13,284 |
| Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Chicago NEChicago, IL | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 91 | $26,598 | $33,327 | $7,307 | $13,284 |
| Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Glendale HeightsGlendale Heights, IL | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 106 | $26,598 | $33,327 | $7,307 | $13,284 |
| Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Chicago NWChicago, IL | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 148 | $26,569 | $31,930 | $7,307 | $13,284 |
| Universal Spa Training AcademyDowners Grove, IL | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 140 | $26,516 | $34,649 | $7,917 | $18,450 |
| Oehrlein School of CosmetologyEast Peoria, IL | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 28 | $26,485 | $33,287 | $9,833 | $19,510 |
| University of Aesthetics & CosmetologyChicago, IL | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 49 | $26,416 | $31,060 | $7,917 | $16,900 |
| Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-BridgeviewBridgeview, IL | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 338 | $26,223 | $28,086 | $7,307 | $13,284 |
| Paul Mitchell the School-Tinley ParkTinley Park, IL | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 95 | $25,875 | $30,146 | $7,917 | $23,952 |
| City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman CollegeChicago, IL | Public community or technical college | Certificate | 57 | $25,866 | $21,225 | n/a | $4,710 |
| Hair Professionals Career CollegePalos Hills, IL | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 43 | $25,713 | n/a | $7,917 | $21,162 |
| Paul Mitchell the School-ChicagoChicago, IL | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 70 | $25,229 | $32,777 | $10,556 | $24,075 |
| University of Spa & Cosmetology ArtsSpringfield, IL | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 89 | $24,848 | $24,049 | $4,906 | $19,850 |
| Debutantes School of Cosmetology and Nail TechnologyDekalb, IL | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 29 | $24,819 | $24,971 | $7,917 | $18,100 |
| Cosmetology & Spa AcademyCrystal Lake, IL | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 244 | $24,517 | $31,208 | $9,833 | $24,000 |
| Midwest Technical Institute-IllinoisSpringfield, IL | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 26 | $24,005 | $23,066 | $11,760 | $16,292 |
| Tricoci University of Beauty CultureUrbana, IL | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 122 | $23,633 | $27,694 | $7,307 | $20,498 |
| Capri Beauty CollegeNew Lenox, IL | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 53 | $23,442 | $28,359 | $9,833 | $20,550 |
| Educators of Beauty College of Cosmetology-PeruPERU, IL | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 27 | $23,162 | $22,666 | $9,833 | $21,190 |
| Empire Beauty School-Stone ParkStone Park, IL | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 43 | $23,065 | $25,413 | $12,619 | $19,860 |
| Empire Beauty School-Vernon HillsVernon Hills, IL | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 22 | $23,065 | $25,413 | $12,619 | $19,860 |
| Educators of Beauty College of Cosmetology-RockfordRockford, IL | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 55 | $22,716 | $22,634 | $9,833 | $21,190 |
| Educators of Beauty College of Cosmetology-SterlingSterling, IL | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 32 | $22,716 | $22,634 | $9,833 | $21,190 |
| Trenz Beauty AcademyCalumet City, IL | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 43 | $22,393 | $20,654 | $7,916 | $1,940 |
| Hair Professionals Career CollegeSycamore, IL | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 22 | $22,090 | $30,799 | $9,406 | $17,550 |
| Hair Professionals School of CosmetologyOswego, IL | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 75 | $22,028 | $30,100 | $7,917 | $22,162 |
| Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-RockfordRockford, IL | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 109 | $21,899 | $22,170 | $7,307 | $13,284 |
| Rosel School of CosmetologyNiles, IL | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 45 | $21,895 | $17,852 | n/a | $14,600 |
| John Amico School of Hair DesignOak Forest, IL | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 100 | $21,636 | $24,132 | $7,917 | $18,791 |
| Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-NormalNormal, IL | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 80 | $21,481 | $28,087 | $7,307 | $20,498 |
| Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-PeoriaPeoria, IL | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 96 | $21,481 | $28,087 | $7,307 | $19,620 |
| Lake Land CollegeMattoon, IL | Public community or technical college | Certificate | 43 | $21,369 | $25,097 | n/a | $4,620 |
| Networks Barber CollegeCalumet City, IL | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 50 | $19,693 | n/a | $16,500 | $19,300 |
| Cameo Beauty AcademyOak Lawn, IL | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 36 | $18,819 | $26,359 | $9,071 | $20,250 |
| Larry's Barber CollegeChicago, IL | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 35 | $17,646 | $20,098 | $6,212 | $18,540 |
| Professional's Choice Hair Design AcademyJoliet, IL | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 27 | n/a | $37,203 | $8,375 | $18,000 |
| Cannella School of Hair Design-ChicagoChicago, IL | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 26 | n/a | $28,276 | n/a | $18,020 |
| Illinois Eastern Community CollegesOlney, IL | Public community or technical college | Certificate | 8 | n/a | $25,012 | n/a | $5,260 |
| Cannella School of Hair Design-Villa ParkVilla Park, IL | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 20 | n/a | n/a | n/a | $18,020 |
| Capital Area Career CenterSpringfield, IL | Public technical school | Certificate | 16 | n/a | n/a | n/a | $12,195 |
| City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman CollegeChicago, IL | Public community or technical college | Associate degree | 8 | n/a | n/a | n/a | $4,710 |
| College of DuPageGlen Ellyn, IL | Community college | Associate degree | 13 | n/a | n/a | n/a | $4,680 |
| Highland Community CollegeFreeport, IL | Public community or technical college | Certificate | 12 | n/a | n/a | n/a | $5,176 |
| John A Logan CollegeCarterville, IL | Community college | Certificate | 34 | n/a | n/a | n/a | $4,630 |
| John A Logan CollegeCarterville, IL | Community college | Associate degree | 5 | n/a | n/a | n/a | $4,630 |
| Kaskaskia CollegeCentralia, IL | Public community or technical college | Certificate | 21 | n/a | n/a | n/a | $4,980 |
| Kaskaskia CollegeCentralia, IL | Public community or technical college | Associate degree | 2 | n/a | n/a | n/a | $4,980 |
| Ms Roberts Academy of Beauty CultureHillside, IL | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 22 | n/a | n/a | $11,416 | $19,900 |
| Rend Lake CollegeIna, IL | Public community or technical college | Certificate | 29 | n/a | n/a | n/a | $4,500 |
| Rend Lake CollegeIna, IL | Public community or technical college | Associate degree | 0 | n/a | n/a | n/a | $4,500 |
| Shawnee Community CollegeUllin, IL | Public community or technical college | Certificate | 9 | n/a | n/a | n/a | $4,800 |
| South Suburban CollegeSouth Holland, IL | Public community or technical college | Certificate | 7 | n/a | n/a | n/a | $5,393 |
| South Suburban CollegeSouth Holland, IL | Public community or technical college | Associate degree | 2 | n/a | n/a | n/a | $5,393 |
| Southeastern Illinois CollegeHarrisburg, IL | Public community or technical college | Certificate | 0 | n/a | n/a | n/a | $4,560 |
| Steven Papageorge Hair AcademyChicago, IL | For-profit trade school | Certificate | 17 | n/a | n/a | n/a | $18,750 |
Cities with the most programs: Chicago (9), Springfield (3), Rockford (2), Calumet City (2), Glen Ellyn (1), Oakbrook (1), Skokie (1), Bloomingdale (1), Schaumburg (1), Elgin (1), Libertyville (1), Glendale Heights (1).
What counts: cosmetology, barbering, esthetics, nail technology and makeup.
Frequently asked questions
How many cosmetology and barber schools are in Illinois?
56 schools in Illinois awarded cosmetology and barbering certificates or associate degrees recently, according to the U.S. Department of Education: 56 certificate and 6 associate programs.
Which cosmetology and barbering program in Illinois has the highest earnings?
The Aveda Institute of Beauty and Wellness Chicago in Chicago, where certificate graduates earned a median of $31,313 one year after finishing (programs with at least 5 graduates).
What is the cheapest cosmetology and barbering school in Illinois?
By yearly tuition and fees, Trenz Beauty Academy in Calumet City charges $1,940 (2025-26). Program fees, tools and licensing exams can add to that, so ask the school.
How much do cosmetology and barbering graduates make in Illinois?
The typical certificate program in Illinois reported median earnings of $24,668 one year after graduation and $28,087 four years after, for graduates who received federal aid and were working.
More in Illinois: all trade schools · colleges
Other trades: Welding · HVAC · Electrician · Carpentry · Construction trades · Auto and diesel mechanic · Heavy equipment mechanic · Truck driving (CDL) · Culinary arts · Medical assistant · LPN and CNA · Dental assisting and hygiene · Phlebotomy and medical lab · EMT, surgical tech and imaging · Medical billing and coding · Massage therapy · Paralegal
Cosmetology and barber schools nationwide
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard (institution and field of study files), data release of October 15, 2026. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working, not enrolled. What each figure covers.