Cosmetology at Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Chicago NE

Tricoci's Chicago NE location produces graduates who start well behind their peers but experience remarkable earnings growth—median pay jumps from $13,970 to $26,495 over four years. That's a 90% increase, eventually putting graduates ahead of both the state median ($17,832) and what most Illinois cosmetology programs deliver even at their best. The question is whether your child can manage that difficult first year.

The program ranks in just the 25th percentile among Illinois cosmetology schools for first-year earnings, trailing competitors like The Aveda Institute ($22,351) and Cosmetology & Spa Academy ($22,096) by significant margins. At under $14,000 in year one, graduates face a tough financial reality even with relatively modest debt of $9,682. However, something changes dramatically by year four—whether it's building a client base, developing specialized skills, or moving into higher-paying roles, Tricoci graduates eventually outpace the typical outcome. The school serves a majority Pell-eligible population (57%), suggesting it provides pathways for students from modest backgrounds willing to work through lean early years.

This program works if your child has financial runway for that first year and the determination to build a career over time. If they need immediate earnings to service debt or support themselves, the stronger-starting programs would be safer bets.