Cosmetology at Oehrlein School of Cosmetology

Oehrlein's first-year earnings of $14,763 rank in just the 25th percentile among Illinois cosmetology programs—meaning three-quarters of similar programs in the state produce better initial outcomes. This is particularly notable in a state where graduates from top programs like University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology earn $24,468 right out of the gate, nearly 66% more. The debt load of $9,833 sits right at the state median, but when paired with below-average earnings, it creates a debt-to-income ratio that's higher than most competitors.

The program does show impressive earnings growth—58% by year four—bringing graduates to $23,355, which puts them closer to what some peers earn immediately. However, this catch-up trajectory means graduates spend their early career years earning well below market rate for cosmetology work. For a family where the student might be contributing to household income or living independently, those first few years at $14,763 annually could be genuinely difficult to navigate.

With 71 cosmetology programs across Illinois, parents have options that deliver stronger immediate earnings without necessarily taking on more debt. Unless there are compelling geographic or scheduling reasons to choose Oehrlein specifically, the data suggests looking at programs where graduates start closer to $20,000-$24,000 annually rather than hoping for catch-up growth down the line.