Cosmetology at Larry's Barber College-Joliet

Larry's Barber College-Joliet graduates earn just $12,461 in their first year—roughly $5,400 below the Illinois median for cosmetology programs and landing in the bottom 10th percentile statewide. This is particularly concerning given that top Illinois cosmetology programs place graduates earning nearly twice as much ($24,000+). While the debt load is relatively modest at $3,726, even this low figure translates to a 30% debt-to-earnings ratio when matched against such minimal income.

The earnings here are barely above minimum wage for full-time work, which raises questions about job placement outcomes and whether graduates are finding sufficient hours in the field. The fact that 100% of students receive Pell grants suggests the student body can least afford a program that underperforms so dramatically—these aren't students with family financial cushions to fall back on while building their careers.

For parents considering this program, the comparison is stark: other Illinois schools are successfully launching cosmetology graduates into $22,000-24,000 first-year positions. Unless there are compelling personal reasons to attend this specific location, exploring higher-performing Illinois cosmetology programs would likely provide better return on both time and tuition investment.