Cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School-Tinley Park

Paul Mitchell the School-Tinley Park turns in a solid performance for a cosmetology program, with graduates earning $21,329 four years out—placing it in the 60th percentile among Illinois's 71 cosmetology schools. That's about $3,500 above the state median and notably higher than the national benchmark of $17,113. The debt load of $11,725 is moderate, translating to a manageable 0.65 debt-to-earnings ratio in the first year. With 69% of students receiving Pell grants, this program successfully serves working-class students who need training that leads to employment.

The 18% earnings growth from year one to year four suggests graduates build their client bases over time, which is typical in the beauty industry. However, there's a meaningful gap between this program and Illinois's top performers—schools like University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology place graduates at $24,468, about $3,000 higher. That difference compounds over a career.

For families weighing cost-conscious cosmetology training in the Chicago suburbs, this program delivers above-average results without excessive debt. The earnings won't make anyone wealthy, but they're competitive for the field, and the modest debt load means graduates aren't starting their careers in a financial hole. Just understand you're not getting the earning power of Illinois's best programs—you're getting a middle-of-the-pack outcome at a middle-of-the-pack price.