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Most Popular Cosmetology Trade Schools in Illinois

2023 Most Popular Cosmetology Trade Schools in Illinois

71 Colleges
$17,490 Avg Salary
$9,193 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Cosmetology 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.

Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Trade College Search has created the Most Popular Cosmetology Trade Schools in Illinois to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 71 schools in Illinois to see which ones were the most popular programs 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.

Check out the cosmetology programs at these schools if you want to attend one of the most popular in Illinois.

#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 degree in Illinois. Located in the small city of Schaumburg, G Skin and Beauty Institute is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

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Out of the 71 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 suburb of Oakbrook.

Read full report on Cosmetology at G Skin & Beauty Institute

#3

Trenz Beauty Academy

Calumet City, IL

Out of the 71 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 fairly small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Calumet City.

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A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Bridgeview is a great place for cosmetology students. Located in the large suburb of Bridgeview, Tricoci BRV is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

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. Cosmetology & Spa Academy is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Crystal Lake.

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With a ranking of #6, John Amico School of Hair Design did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for cosmetology students. Located in the suburb of Oak Forest, John Amico School of Hair Design is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

Read full report on Cosmetology at John Amico School of Hair Design

With a ranking of #7, Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Chicago NW did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for cosmetology students. Tricoci CNW is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the city of Chicago.

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

#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. Located in the large suburb of Downers Grove, Universal Spa Training Academy is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

Full Cosmetology at Universal Spa Training Academy Report

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

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Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Rockford did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for cosmetology students. It came in at #9 on the list. Located in the midsize city of Rockford, Tricoci RFD is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

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

Honorable Mentions

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 Trade 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 Tinley Park, 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 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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