Cosmetology Schools in Illinois

If you're considering becoming a cosmetologist in Illinois, now may be a great time to start. Some of the state's metropolitan areas employ among the highest numbers of cosmetologists in the country, and you'll even see some areas ranked among the top-paying. Illinois cosmetology jobs are also growing while, nationwide, they're shrinking.

Browse our directory of cosmetology schools in Illinois, or skip ahead to learn about the state's cosmetology licensing requirements and job outlook.

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Cameo Beauty Academy – Accredited

9714 South Cicero Avenue
Oak Lawn, IL 60453

(708) 636-4660
Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics

700 East Terra Cotta Avenue
Crystal Lake, IL 60014

(815) 207-8599
Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Barbering

609 South Randall Road
Elgin, IL 60123

Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Makeup Artistry, Barbering

657 Highgrove Place
Rockford, IL 61108

Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Makeup Artistry, Barbering

142 East Golf Road
Schaumburg, IL 60173

(815) 572-4797
Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Barbering

3602 Marquette Road Suite 2
Peru, IL 61354

(815) 223-7326
Programs:
Cosmetology, Teacher Training, Nail Technology, Continuing Education

2601 North Mulford
Rockford, IL 61114

Programs:
Cosmetology, Teacher Training, Continuing Education

211 East 3rd Street
Sterling, IL 61081

Programs:
Cosmetology, Teacher Training, Continuing Education

1200 Harger Road
Oakbrook, IL 60523

Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Nail Technology, Continuing Education, Barbering

825 Village Quarter Road
West Dundee, IL 60118

Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics

2245 Gateway Drive
Sycamore, IL 60178

(815) 756-3596
Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Nail Technology

8057 North Milwaukee Avenue
Niles, IL 60714

Programs:
Cosmetology, Hair Design, Esthetics, Nail Technology

15301 South Cicero Avenue
Oak Forest, IL 60452

(708) 687-7800
Programs:
Cosmetology, Nail Technology

307 Golf Mill Center
Niles, IL 60714

(773) 508-5600
Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Teacher Training

3401 West Lawrence Avenue
Chicago, IL 60625

(773) 561-2376
Programs:
Cosmetology, Teacher Training

16108 Illinois Route 59 Unit 200
Plainfield, IL 60586

Programs:
Cosmetology

7350 West 87th Street
Bridgeview, IL 60455

Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Barbering

5321 North Harlem Avenue
Chicago, IL 60656

Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Barbering

6458 North Sheridan Road
Chicago, IL 60626

Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Barbering

264 South Randall Road
Elgin, IL 60123

Programs:
Barbering, Cosmetology, Esthetics

530 East North Avenue
Glendale Heights, IL 60139

Programs:
Barbering, Cosmetology, Esthetics

751 East Park Avenue
Libertyville, IL 60048

Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Barbering

755 West Raab Road
Normal, IL 61761

Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics

602 West Glen Avenue
Peoria, IL 61602

(309) 679-4500
Programs:
Cosmetology, Teacher Training, Esthetics

5485 East State Street
Rockford, IL 61108

Programs:
Cosmetology, Teacher Training, Esthetics, Barbering

202 East University Street Suite H I J
Urbana, IL 61801

Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics

2913 West White Oaks Drive
Springfield, IL 62704

Programs:
Cosmetology, Teacher Training, Esthetics, Nail Technology, Continuing Education, Massage Therapy, Barbering
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ABC School of Cosmetology and Nail Technology

9213 South Illinois Route 31
Lake In The Hills, IL 60156

Bell Mar Beauty College – Accredited

5717 West Cermak Road
Cicero, IL 60804

Bollywood Salon & Beauty School

4847 West Dempster Street
Skokie, IL 60077

Cannella School of Hair Design – Accredited

4269 South Archer Avenue
Chicago, IL 60617

Cannella School of Hair Design - Aurora – Accredited

9012 South Commercial Avenue
Chicago, IL 60632

Cannella School of Hair Design

117 West Chicago Street
Elgin, IL 60120

Cannella School of Hair Design – Accredited

617 West North Avenue
Villa Park, IL 60181

Capelli Academy of Cosmetology, Inc

4518 West Fullerton Avenue
Chicago, IL 60623

Capelli Salon Academy

333 East Rand Road
Arlington Heights, IL 60004

Capri Beauty College – Accredited

1938 East Lincoln Highway
New Lenox, IL 60451

Capri Beauty College – Accredited

15815 South Rob Roy Drive
Oak Forest, IL 60452

Carl Sandburg College

2400 Tom L Wilson Boulevard
Galesburg, IL 61401

Champions Beauty-Barber University – Accredited

4374 East New York Street
Aurora, IL 60504

City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman

1145 West Wilson Avenue
Chicago, IL 60640

City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X

1900 West Jackson Boulevard
Chicago, IL 60612

College of DuPage

425 Fawell Boulevard
Glen Ellyn, IL 60137

Creative Touch Cosmetology School – Accredited

234 East 3rd Street
Waterloo, IL 62298

Debutantes School – Accredited

145 North 3rd Street
Dekalb, IL 60115

Douglas J Aveda Institute – Accredited

2828 North Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60657

Dudley Beauty College

8501 South Green Street
Chicago, IL 60620

Elgin Community College

1700 Spartan Drive
Elgin, IL 60123

Elle International Beauty Academy

2113B South China Place
Chicago, IL 60616

Empire Beauty Schools – Accredited

3106 West North Avenue
Stone Park, IL 60165

Empire Beauty Schools – Accredited

226 Hawthorn Village Commons
Vernon Hills, IL 60061

Epiphany's Beauty College

3719 Sauk Trail
Richton Park, IL 60471

Estelle Medical Academy

4905 Old Orchard Center Suite 710
Skokie, IL 60077

Futurama Beauty Academy

1822 West 47th Street
Chicago, IL 60609

G Skin & Beauty Institute – Accredited

90 West Hillcrest Boulevard Suite 302
Schaumburg, IL 60195

Gem City College

700 State Street
Quincy, IL 62301

Hair Professionals Career College – Accredited

5460 U.S. Highway 34
Oswego, IL 60543

Hair Professionals Career College – Accredited

10321 South Roberts Road
Palos Hills, IL 60465

Hairmasters Institute of Cosmetology – Accredited

506 South Mcclun Street
Bloomington, IL 61701

Highland Community College

2998 West Pearl City Road
Freeport, IL 61032

I.M. Beauty School – Accredited

630 Milwaukee Avenue Suite 200
Glenview, IL 60025

Illinois Valley Community College

815 North Orlando Smith Road
Oglesby, IL 61348

Innovations Design Academy – Accredited

214 East Washington Street
MaComb, IL 61455

Jemist Glamour Academy

2454 South California Avenue
Chicago, IL 60608

John A Logan College

700 Logan College Road
Carterville, IL 62918

John Amico School of Hair Design

4335 West 147th Street
Midlothian, IL 60445

Kaskaskia College

27210 College Road
Centralia, IL 62801

L.A. Style School of Cosmetology – Accredited

2145 West 95th Street
Chicago, IL 60643

Lake County Tech Campus

19525 West Washington Street
Grayslake, IL 60030

Lake Land College

5001 Lake Land Boulevard
Mattoon, IL 61938

Midwest Technical Institute – Accredited

3620 Avenue of the Cities
Moline, IL 61265

Moraine Valley Community College

9000 West College Parkway
Palos Hills, IL 60465

Morton College

3801 South Central Avenue
Cicero, IL 60804

Ms. Roberts Beauty Academy – Accredited

552 Mannheim Road Suite A
Hillside, IL 60162

National University of Health Sciences

200 East Roosevelt Road
Lombard, IL 60148

Oehrlein School of Cosmetology – Accredited

100 Meadow Avenue East
Peoria, IL 61611

Olney Central College

305 North West Street
Olney, IL 62450

Paul Mitchell The School Bradley – Accredited

1600 North State Route 50 Room 522
Bourbonnais, IL 60914

Paul Mitchell The School Chicago – Accredited

1225 South Halsted Street
Chicago, IL 60607

Paul Mitchell The School Lombard – Accredited

106 Yorktown Shopping Center
Lombard, IL 60148

Paul Mitchell The School Normal – Accredited

1503 East College Avenue Suite L Suite L
Normal, IL 61761

Paul Mitchell The School Tinley Park – Accredited

18454 West Creek Drive
Tinley Park, IL 60477

Pivot Point Academy – Accredited

144 East Lake Street Suite C
Bloomingdale, IL 60108

Professional's Choice Hair Design Academy – Accredited

2719 West Jefferson Street
Joliet, IL 60435

PS Lash & Hair Extension Academy & Studio

705 North Milwaukee Avenue
Chicago, IL 60642

Reflections Academy of Beauty – Accredited

241 North Main Street
Decatur, IL 62523

Rend Lake College

468 North Ken Gray Parkway
Ina, IL 62846

Royal School of Cosmetology

401 West National Avenue Suite C
Effingham, IL 62401

Sandra Rossi Education Center

264 West Rand Road
Arlington Heights, IL 60004

Shawnee Community College

8364 Shawnee College Road
Ullin, IL 62992

Southeastern Illinois College

3575 College Road
Harrisburg, IL 62946

Stautzenberger College-Rockford Career College

1130 South Alpine Road Suite 100
Rockford, IL 61108

Technology Center of DuPage

301 South Swift Road
Addison, IL 60101

The Nail Inn & School of Cosmetology

47 Stephen Street
Lemont, IL 60439

The University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology – Accredited

1037 Curtiss Street
Downers Grove, IL 60515

Trenz Beauty Academy – Accredited

695 Wentworth Avenue
Calumet City, IL 60409

Trenz Beauty Academy – Accredited

2605 West 79th Street
Chicago, IL 60652

Trichology Trends Institute

341 West Northwest Highway
Palatine, IL 60067

Tricoci University of Beauty Culture – Accredited

2500 Georgetown Road
Danville, IL 61832

Vee's School of Beauty Culture

2701 State Street East Street
St. Louis, IL 62205

William Rainey Harper College

1200 West Algonquin Road
Palatine, IL 60067

Your School of Beauty Culture

116 East Pershing Road
Chicago, IL 60653
Accredited School

You must attend a school that meets any licensure requirements as defined by your state. Most states require that you graduate from an accredited or state-approved school.

Cosmetology Schools Near Me

How to Become a Cosmetologist in Illinois

Illinois Cosmetology Careers At a Glance
  • 1,500 education hours are required to become licensed.
  • You must renew your license every 2 years.
  • 14 continuing education hours are required to renew your license.
  • The average salary for cosmetologists in Illinois is $42,660 ($20.51/hour).
  • There is a predicted 3% job increase between 2018–2028 for cosmetologists.

To work as a cosmetologist here, you must obtain a license from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR).

The requirements for licensure are:

  • Be at least 16 years of age
  • Be a high school graduate (or equivalent) or be old enough to be done with compulsory schooling
  • Graduate from an approved cosmetology or barber school with 1,500 hours of education
  • Take and pass the state's cosmetology exam with at least a 75%

Once you complete your required cosmetology training, you may take the exam for licensure. If you pass, you'll receive your license. No background check is required.

According to state law, a cosmetology license qualifies you to cut, style, and care for hair (including facial hair), nails, and skin for cosmetic, not medical, purposes.

Cosmetologist Salary and Projected Job Growth in Illinois

$42,660

Average yearly salary for cosmetology in Illinois

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the mean salary for cosmetologists in Illinois was $42,660 per year ($20.51 per hour) as of 2021. This is higher than the national average of $35,990 ($17.30).

Illinois anticipates the number of cosmetologists to grow by 3% between 2018 and 2028.

As of 2021, the five highest-paying metro areas for cosmetologists by median pay in Illinois are:

  • Springfield: $36,550
  • Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI: $36,530
  • Rockford: $30,130
  • St. Louis, MO-IL: $30,100
  • Kankakee: $29,470

Salaries in some nonmetropolitan areas worth noting in Illinois as of 2021 include:

  • West Central Illinois: $35,110
  • East Central Illinois: $29,420
  • Northwest Illinois: $29,240
  • South Illinois: $23,300

Data from O*Net (2022)

State License Requirements

1,500 Education Hours

Required to earn a cosmetology license

To work as a cosmetologist in Illinois, you must complete 1,500 hours of training from a state-approved, accredited cosmetology school. Your program should cover the following topics:

  • Hair chemical treatments, including waving, relaxing, coloring, and lightening
  • Hair cutting and styling
  • Nail and skin treatments
  • Safety and sanitation
  • Scalp, hair, skin, and nails analysis and treatments

Any approved cosmetology school must submit to a periodic review by the IDFPR, which will look at topics covered in its programs, the rigor of the content, graduation rates, etc.

Can I Apprentice as a Cosmetologist in Illinois?

Illinois doesn't offer apprenticeship as a pathway to licensure in the field.

Illinois Cosmetology Licensing Requirements

To receive your cosmetology license in Illinois, you have to complete your 1,500 hours of training in no less than eight months and no more than seven consecutive years and pass a cosmetology exam.

As an alternative, you could undergo 1,000 hours of barber school training and later take 500 hours of cosmetology training.

Once you graduate from your program, you need to take the following steps to earn your license:

1. Apply to take the exam
Complete the four-page cosmetology license application and submit it online or by mail, along with any supporting documents and a $30 fee.

2. Schedule your exam
Once your application has been approved, you'll receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) with information about scheduling your test at a day, time, and location of your choice. You must take the test within 60 days of receiving your ATT, or you'll have to reapply.

3. Request accommodations ahead of time
If you need accommodations due to a disability or other concern, you need to request them and provide appropriate documentation. If the accommodations are approved, you'll receive an email to schedule a test at a location able to provide them. These appointments must be scheduled at least two weeks before the test date.

4. Take your exam
On test day, you must present a photo ID and sign an agreement to abide by test center rules. You may not bring anything into the testing room, including purses or phones. If you need to use the restroom, you must sign in and out. The exam lasts a maximum of two hours.

5.Receive your score
You'll be given an unofficial score before you leave your testing center, but your official score will arrive one to two weeks after you take your test. You must earn a score of at least 75% to receive your license.

If you don't pass your exam after three attempts, you need to complete 250 additional hours of cosmetology study before you can take the test again.

According to the IDFPR cosmetology exam study guide, the test is divided up as follows:

  • Salon safety and sanitation: 32%
  • Analyze and treat scalp, hair, skin, and nails: 11%
  • Cut and style hair: 13%
  • Waxing and relaxing: 13%
  • Hair coloring and lightening: 13%
  • Nail services: 9%
  • Skin services: 9%

Illinois Cosmetology Licensure Reciprocity

Currently, the State of Illinois doesn't have any reciprocity agreements. However, if you're a licensed cosmetologist in another state, you may apply for a license by endorsement. For your license to be considered for endorsement, one of the following must be true:

  • Your training must meet or exceed Illinois' requirements; or
  • You must have enough work experience to make up any difference, with 12 months of work generally equaling 300 hours of training

If you meet those eligibility requirements, apply to the IDFPR with proof of your existing license and pay a fee of $45.

Cosmetology Specialties in Illinois

Illinois also offers licenses by exam to work in a variety of other beauty specialties. Training for these specialties include:

  • Barbers: 1,500 hours of barbering or cosmetology training lasting between nine months and three years
  • Estheticians: 750 hours of esthetics study lasting between 18 weeks and four consecutive years
  • Nail Technicians: 350 hours of nail technology training lasting between eight weeks and two consecutive years
  • Hair Braiders: 300 clock hours of training in a hair braiding curriculum
  • Cosmetology Teachers: Proof of licensure in cosmetology as well as two years of proven practical experience in the field and an official transcript showing successful completion of a 500-hour teacher training program

Illinois is one of the most racially and culturally diverse states in the nation. This is evident in the state's beauty industry, where hair braiding now requires licensure. This license enables you to do such styles as cornrows, locs, and more.

Additionally, some specialties may not require special licenses, but you could take continuing education courses to earn certifications. Some workplaces offer these trainings, though you may want to seek out some on your own. Look at what's in demand in your area and seek out education in those areas so you could become even more appealing to potential clients.

License Renewal

2 Years

License renewal period

14 Hours

Continuing education required

In Illinois, licensed cosmetologists must renew their licenses before September 30 of every odd-numbered year.

To renew your license, you must submit a renewal application along with a $25 renewal fee and prove you've completed 14 hours of approved continuing education (CE).

This CE must include a one-hour domestic violence and sexual assault awareness education program. People working in beauty have the unique opportunity to see people up close, which may give them a good look at any potential signs of abuse.

Contact the Illinois State Board of Cosmetology

Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation

Illinois possesses a distinctive cosmetology culture, one that is influential and has allowed for numerous people to become professionals statewide. As more are expected to satisfy the demand of clients who enjoy quality service, those looking to get started in cosmetology consult these groups.

America's Beauty Show
This website is the home of Cosmetologists Chicago, a nonprofit association serving licensed beauty professionals throughout Illinois. The organization offers members access to CE credits, discounts on beauty products, networking opportunities, and more.

Illinois Association of Cosmetology Schools
The IACS serves as a voice for beauty schools, teachers, and vendors in the industry. The organization is involved in policy advocacy and provides industry news to professionals.

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How to Become a Cosmetologist in Your State