Cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School-Lombard

Paul Mitchell the School-Lombard graduates earn about $4,900 more by their fourth year out than typical Illinois cosmetology graduates—a 26% increase that places them solidly above the state median of $17,832. While the $18,073 starting salary sits near the middle of what you'd expect from beauty school, the trajectory matters here. Most cosmetology programs show minimal earnings growth as graduates build their client base, but these students are clearly developing their business skills alongside their technical training.

The $13,833 in debt is higher than the state average of $9,833, but not dramatically so, and the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.77 means graduates owe less than their first-year income—a manageable threshold. That ratio improves considerably by year four as earnings climb. You won't see the $24,000+ outcomes from Illinois' top cosmetology programs, but you're also not gambling on a program with flat or declining earnings.

For a beauty school certificate, this represents a reasonable investment with a clearer path to income growth than most comparable programs. The key is understanding that success in cosmetology depends heavily on building a loyal client base over time, and this school's graduates appear to be doing exactly that. If your child is committed to the field and willing to hustle through those early years, the numbers suggest they'll be better positioned than most of their Illinois competitors.