Cosmetology at Midwest Technical Institute-Illinois

Midwest Technical Institute's cosmetology program falls short of what similar schools deliver in Illinois. With first-year earnings of $15,576, graduates earn less than the state median of $17,832—ranking in just the 40th percentile among Illinois cosmetology programs. The gap widens when you look at top performers: nearby programs like Illinois Eastern Community Colleges and Educators of Beauty in Peru see their graduates earning $24,000+, nearly $9,000 more annually. That's a substantial difference in an already modest-earning field.

The debt load of $13,038 adds to the challenge, running higher than both the state and national medians (around $9,800-$9,900). While the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.84 isn't catastrophic, it means your child would owe nearly a full year's salary right out of the gate. The 12% earnings bump by year four helps, but $17,474 still leaves graduates struggling in an expensive metropolitan area. With 63% of students receiving Pell grants, this program serves a financially vulnerable population that needs strong placement outcomes.

For a cosmetology certificate, there are demonstrably better options within Illinois that could set your child up with 40-50% higher earnings from day one. Given the competitive landscape and below-median performance, this particular program makes it harder to launch a viable career than alternatives just down the road.