2026 Rankings

    Best Trade Schools in Illinois

    Data-driven rankings of 114 trade colleges in Illinois based on graduation rates, student outcomes, and affordability. No paid placements.

    114 Schools RankedPowered by IPEDS Data

    Showing 1–25 of 114 schools

    #1
    64.0/ 100
    G Skin & Beauty Institute

    Schaumburg, IL · Private Trade School

    Grad Rate:81%
    Student-Faculty:9:1
    Programs:7
    Avg Tuition:$16,670
    Financial Aid:71%
    #2
    63.4/ 100
    Pivot Point Academy

    Bloomingdale, IL · Private Trade School

    Grad Rate:89%
    Student-Faculty:8:1
    Programs:4
    Avg Tuition:$15,617
    Financial Aid:78%
    #3
    61.3/ 100
    Career Center of Southern Illinois

    Red Bud, IL · Public Institution

    Grad Rate:69%
    Student-Faculty:2:1
    Programs:2
    Avg Tuition:$700
    Financial Aid:97%
    #4
    61.0/ 100
    Rosel School of Cosmetology

    Niles, IL · Private Trade School

    Grad Rate:98%
    Student-Faculty:11:1
    Programs:5
    Avg Tuition:$6,800
    Financial Aid:26%
    #5
    59.6/ 100
    John Amico School of Hair Design

    Oak Forest, IL · Private Trade School

    Grad Rate:65%
    Student-Faculty:6:1
    Programs:5
    Avg Tuition:$8,782
    Financial Aid:88%
    #6
    57.5/ 100
    Universal Spa Training Academy

    Downers Grove, IL · Private Trade School

    Grad Rate:94%
    Student-Faculty:11:1
    Programs:3
    Avg Tuition:$13,182
    Financial Aid:48%
    #7
    56.7/ 100
    G Skin & Beauty Institute

    Oakbrook, IL · Private Trade School

    Grad Rate:77%
    Student-Faculty:12:1
    Programs:5
    Avg Tuition:$10,675
    Financial Aid:74%
    #8
    56.4/ 100
    Gem City College

    Quincy, IL · Private Trade School

    Grad Rate:80%
    Student-Faculty:8:1
    Programs:4
    Avg Tuition:$20,475
    Financial Aid:76%
    #9
    55.8/ 100
    Rasmussen University-Illinois

    Rockford, IL · Private Trade School

    Grad Rate:41%
    Student-Faculty:3:1
    Programs:33
    Avg Tuition:N/A
    Financial Aid:97%
    #10
    55.2/ 100
    University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology

    Chicago, IL · Private Trade School

    Grad Rate:80%
    Student-Faculty:9:1
    Programs:3
    Avg Tuition:$7,700
    Financial Aid:58%
    #10
    55.2/ 100
    Midwestern Career College

    Chicago, IL · Private Trade School

    Grad Rate:65%
    Student-Faculty:10:1
    Programs:14
    Avg Tuition:$24,796
    Financial Aid:77%
    #12
    53.8/ 100
    Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Libertyville

    Libertyville, IL · Private Trade School

    Grad Rate:76%
    Student-Faculty:12:1
    Programs:4
    Avg Tuition:$14,842
    Financial Aid:85%
    #13
    53.7/ 100
    University of Spa & Cosmetology Arts

    Springfield, IL · Private Trade School

    Grad Rate:68%
    Student-Faculty:13:1
    Programs:6
    Avg Tuition:$6,500
    Financial Aid:89%
    #14
    53.3/ 100
    Cannella School of Hair Design-Villa Park

    Villa Park, IL · Private Trade School

    Grad Rate:77%
    Student-Faculty:6:1
    Programs:1
    Avg Tuition:N/A
    Financial Aid:100%
    #15
    52.8/ 100
    Larry's Barber College

    Chicago, IL · Private Trade School

    Grad Rate:80%
    Student-Faculty:14:1
    Programs:2
    Avg Tuition:$9,140
    Financial Aid:100%
    #16
    52.1/ 100
    Capri Beauty College

    New Lenox, IL · Private Trade School

    Grad Rate:81%
    Student-Faculty:15:1
    Programs:3
    Avg Tuition:$9,570
    Financial Aid:87%
    #17
    52.0/ 100
    Illinois Eastern Community Colleges

    Olney, IL · Public Institution

    Grad Rate:54%
    Student-Faculty:12:1
    Programs:60
    Avg Tuition:N/A
    Financial Aid:96%
    #17
    52.0/ 100
    Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Glendale Heights logo
    Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Glendale Heights

    Glendale Heights, IL · Private Trade School

    Grad Rate:82%
    Student-Faculty:13:1
    Programs:4
    Avg Tuition:$14,842
    Financial Aid:59%
    #19
    51.8/ 100
    Reflections Academy of Beauty logo
    Reflections Academy of Beauty

    Decatur, IL · Private Trade School

    Grad Rate:47%
    Student-Faculty:6:1
    Programs:6
    Avg Tuition:$7,550
    Financial Aid:92%
    #19
    51.8/ 100
    Carl Sandburg College

    Galesburg, IL · Public Institution

    Grad Rate:49%
    Student-Faculty:9:1
    Programs:34
    Avg Tuition:N/A
    Financial Aid:95%
    #21
    51.1/ 100
    Midwest Technical Institute-Illinois logo
    Midwest Technical Institute-Illinois

    Springfield, IL · Private Trade School

    Grad Rate:70%
    Student-Faculty:21:1
    Programs:11
    Avg Tuition:$13,594
    Financial Aid:80%
    #22
    51.0/ 100
    Illinois Media School-Chicago Campus logo
    Illinois Media School-Chicago Campus

    Chicago, IL · Private Trade School

    Grad Rate:62%
    Student-Faculty:4:1
    Programs:1
    Avg Tuition:$14,055
    Financial Aid:94%
    #23
    50.9/ 100
    Worsham College of Mortuary Science logo
    Worsham College of Mortuary Science

    Wheeling, IL · Private Trade School

    Grad Rate:93%
    Student-Faculty:10:1
    Programs:2
    Avg Tuition:N/A
    Financial Aid:44%
    #24
    50.8/ 100
    CAAN Academy of Nursing logo
    CAAN Academy of Nursing

    Matteson, IL · Private Trade School

    Grad Rate:57%
    Student-Faculty:4:1
    Programs:1
    Avg Tuition:$30,180
    Financial Aid:N/A
    #25
    50.4/ 100
    First Institute of Travel, Inc. logo
    First Institute of Travel, Inc.

    Crystal Lake, IL · Private Trade School

    Grad Rate:75%
    Student-Faculty:17:1
    Programs:3
    Avg Tuition:$16,400
    Financial Aid:93%

    Our rankings evaluate trade and vocational colleges using six weighted metrics derived from federal IPEDS data: graduation rate, student-faculty ratio, program breadth, institutional scale, financial accessibility, and affordability. Schools must meet minimum eligibility requirements to be ranked.

    How are these rankings calculated? View Methodology