Cosmetology at Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Normal

Tricoci's Normal campus graduates earn exactly the state median at first, but here's what matters: four years out, earnings jump 37% to over $24,000—putting graduates within striking distance of Illinois's top-performing cosmetology programs. That kind of growth trajectory is unusual in beauty education, where many programs see flat or declining earnings over time.

The debt picture is reasonable at $9,730, translating to a 0.55 debt-to-earnings ratio that's manageable even on entry-level salon earnings. Within Illinois, this program ranks in the 60th percentile, meaning it outperforms about 40% of the state's 71 cosmetology schools. The robust sample size (100+ graduates) makes these numbers reliable, not a statistical fluke.

For parents of aspiring cosmetologists, this represents solid value: your child won't graduate with the highest immediate earnings, but they'll enter the workforce with modest debt and strong earning momentum. Half of Tricoci students receive Pell grants, suggesting the school successfully serves middle- and lower-income families without sacrificing outcomes. If your student is committed to beauty work and willing to build their client base over time, this program delivers what matters most—earnings that actually grow rather than stagnate.