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Most Popular Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in Illinois

2023 Most Popular Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in Illinois

69 Colleges
$17,041 Avg Salary
$8,995 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Cosmetology Undergraduate 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.

The Most Popular Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in Illinois ranking is one of many tools that Trade College Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. This report analyzed 69 schools in Illinois to see which ones were the most popular undergraduate certificate 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 undergraduate certificate programs at these schools if you want to attend one of the most popular in Illinois.

#1

Cosmetology & Spa Academy

Crystal Lake, IL

Our analysis found Cosmetology & Spa Academy to be the most popular school for cosmetology students who want to pursue a undergraduate certificate in Illinois. Cosmetology & Spa Academy is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Crystal Lake.

Women make up 78% of the cosmetology majors at the school.

Cosmetology majors at Cosmetology & Spa Academy take out an average of $9,798 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.

Read More…

#2

Larry's Barber College

Chicago, IL

The in-demand undergraduate certificate programs at Larry’s Barber College helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular cosmetology schools in Illinois. Larry's Barber College is a small private for-profit school located in the large city of Chicago.

Of the 34 students majoring in cosmetology at Larry's Barber College, 79% are male and 21% are female.

On average, cosmetology graduates from Larry's Barber College take out $4,269 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate.

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You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Paul Mitchell the School Chicago. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Most Popular Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in Illinois list. Paul Mitchell the School Chicago is a small private for-profit school located in the large city of Chicago.

Women make up 92% of the cosmetology majors at the school.

After completing their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology graduates from Paul Mitchell the School Chicago carry an average student debt load of $12,684. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $117, assuming that the borrower is 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 Paul Mitchell the School Lombard. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Popular Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in Illinois list. Paul Mitchell the School Lombard is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Lombard.

Of the 70 students majoring in cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School Lombard, 6% are male and 94% are female.

On average, cosmetology graduates from Paul Mitchell the School Lombard take out $12,684 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $117, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School Lombard

Out of the 69 schools in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, Paul Mitchell the School Normal landed the # 5 spot on the list. Located in the medium-sized suburb of Normal, Paul Mitchell the School Normal is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

About 95% of the students majoring in cosmetology at the school are women while 5% are male.

For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $111.

Full Cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School Normal Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Empire Beauty School-Stone Park. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Most Popular Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in Illinois list. Empire Beauty School-Stone Park is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Stone Park.

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

Cosmetology majors at Empire Beauty School-Stone Park take out an average of $12,906 in student loans while working on their Undergraduate Certificate. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $81, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Empire Beauty School-Stone Park

City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for cosmetology students to get a undergraduate certificate. It came in at #7 on the list. Located in the large city of Chicago, Harry S Truman College is a public college with a medium-sized student population.

Women make up 94% of the cosmetology majors at the school.

Read full report on Cosmetology at City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College

Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Bridgeview came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in Illinois ranking. Located in the large suburb of Bridgeview, Tricoci BRV is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

About 74% of the students majoring in cosmetology at the school are women while 26% are male.

The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Tricoci BRV take out while working on their Undergraduate Certificate is $8,560. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $98.

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

Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Chicago NW did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for cosmetology students to get a undergraduate certificate. It came in at #9 on the list. Tricoci CNW is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large city of Chicago.

Of the 56 students majoring in cosmetology at Tricoci CNW, 32% are male and 68% are female.

This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $93, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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

#10

G Skin & Beauty Institute

Schaumburg, IL

G Skin & Beauty Institute landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular undergraduate certificate cosmetology programs. Located in the city of Schaumburg, G Skin and Beauty Institute is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

Of the 39 students majoring in cosmetology at G Skin and Beauty Institute, 5% are male and 95% are female.

While working on their Undergraduate Certificate, cosmetology majors at G Skin and Beauty Institute accumulate an average of around $6,995 in student debt. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $103.

Read More…

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 Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in Illinois award.

Rank College Location
11 University of Spa & Cosmetology Arts Springfield, IL
11 Paul Mitchell the School Bradley Tinley Park, IL
13 Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Danville Urbana, IL

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 26 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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