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Most Popular Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Illinois

2023 Most Popular Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Illinois

48 Colleges

Finding the Best Cosmetology Basic Certificate School for You

Out of the majors we analyze each year, cosmetology was ranked 3rd in Illinois. In fact, 3,922 were awarded in the state in 2021-2022.

It's not easy to decide which trade school program to enroll in when you have so many options available. As online education oppotunities continue to grow, you're not restricted to just schools in your local area anymore. Even some of the 'big name' schools are offering online courses.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Trade College Search has developed this Most Popular Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Illinois ranking. Our analysis looked at 48 schools in Illinois to see which basic certificate programs were the most popular for trade school students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from the Cosmetology program at each school on the list.

The following schools top our list of the Most Popular Cosmetology Basic Certificate Colleges.

#1

G Skin & Beauty Institute

Schaumburg, IL

Our analysis found G Skin & Beauty Institute to be the most popular school for cosmetology students who want to pursue a basic certificate in Illinois. Located in the small city of Schaumburg, G Skin and Beauty Institute is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

About 99% of the students majoring in cosmetology at the school are women while 1% are male.

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Out of the 48 schools in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, G Skin & Beauty Institute landed the # 2 spot on the list. Naperville Skin Institute is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Oakbrook.

About 97% of the students majoring in cosmetology at the school are women while 3% are male.

Full Cosmetology at G Skin & Beauty Institute Report

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#3

Trenz Beauty Academy

Calumet City, IL

Out of the 48 schools in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, Trenz Beauty Academy landed the # 3 spot on the list. Trenz Beauty Academy is a small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Calumet City.

Of the 148 students majoring in cosmetology at Trenz Beauty Academy, 5% are male and 95% are female.

Full Cosmetology at Trenz Beauty Academy Report

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#4

Universal Spa Training Academy

Downers Grove, IL

The in-demand basic certificate programs at Universal Spa Training Academy helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular cosmetology schools in Illinois. Located in the suburb of Downers Grove, Universal Spa Training Academy is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

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You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Bridgeview. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Most Popular Cosmetology Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Illinois list. Located in the large suburb of Bridgeview, Tricoci BRV is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

About 98% of the students majoring in cosmetology at the school are women while 2% are male.

Full Cosmetology at Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Bridgeview Report

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With a ranking of #6, Estelle Skin Care and Spa Institute did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for cosmetology students working on their basic certificate. Located in the city of Skokie, Estelle Skin Care and Spa Institute is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

Women make up 99% of the cosmetology majors at the school.

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With a ranking of #7, John Amico School of Hair Design did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for cosmetology students working on their basic certificate. Located in the suburb of Oak Forest, John Amico School of Hair Design is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

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With a ranking of #8, Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Chicago NW did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for cosmetology students working on their basic certificate. Tricoci CNW is a small private for-profit school located in the large city of Chicago.

About 99% of the students majoring in cosmetology at the school are women while 1% are male.

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

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Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Rockford landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular basic certificate cosmetology programs. Located in the midsize city of Rockford, Tricoci RFD is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

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

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#10

Cosmetology & Spa Academy

Crystal Lake, IL

Cosmetology & Spa Academy did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for cosmetology students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #10 on the list. Cosmetology & Spa Academy is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Crystal Lake.

Women make up 99% of the cosmetology majors at the school.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Cosmetology & Spa Academy

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Best Cosmetology Colleges in the Great Lakes Region

Explore all the Most Popular Cosmetology Schools in the Great Lakes Area or other specific states within that region.

State Degrees Awarded
Michigan 2,766
Indiana 1,897
Wisconsin 1,320
Ohio 3,404

One of 4 majors within the trade school area of study, cosmetology has other similar majors worth exploring.

Cosmetology Focus Areas

Major Annual Graduates
General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist 50,210
Aesthetician/Esthetician & Skin Care Specialist 40,040
Nail Technician/Specialist & Manicurist 13,960
Barbering/Barber 9,893
Facial Treatment Specialist/Facialist 2,907
Other Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Arts 2,184
Master Aesthetician/Esthetician 1,729
Hair Styling/Stylist & Hair Design 1,238
Cosmetology, Barber/Styling, & Nail Instructor 1,230
Make-Up Artist/Specialist 440
Electrolysis/Electrology & Electrolysis Technician 354
Salon/Beauty Salon Management/Manager 336
Permanent Cosmetics/Makeup & Tattooing 90

Majors Similar to Cosmetology

Related Major Annual Graduates
Culinary Arts 22,075
Funeral & Mortuary Science 2,186
Casino Operations and Services 385
Other Personal & Culinary Services 95

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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