Below are some of the top esthetician (esthetician/aesthetician) training options in Illinois, compared on the things most students care about: program length & clock hours, cost, locations, accreditation/licensing prep, and notable strengths. I focused on widely known chains and reputable local schools with published program details; see the cited pages for exact, up‑to‑date start dates, consumer disclosures, and final costs.

At-a-glance (common baseline)

• Illinois state license: most full esthetics programs in IL are 600–750 clock hours (many schools offer a 750‑hour program). Always confirm current Illinois Dept. of Financial & Professional Regulation (IDFPR) requirements before enrolling. (paulmitchell.edu)

1. Paul Mitchell The School — Tinley Park / Chicago area

• Typical program: Esthetics ~750 hours (stateboard prep).
• Cost: Published examples show total program cost around $15k–$18k for esthetics (consumer info varies by campus; Tinley Park lists ~ $18,100 total on its consumer page for one option).
• Accreditation/notes: Paul Mitchell campuses are nationally recognized and publish consumer information (graduation/placement/licensure rates). Large brand network → good visibility with salons/spas; often strong clinic floor experience and job‑placement support. (paulmitchell.edu)

2. Aveda Institute — Chicago

• Typical program: Esthetician program commonly listed at ~750 hours.
• Cost: Approximate esthetics tuition examples around $16k (site data summaries list ~$16,400 for esthetician program at Aveda Institute‑Chicago in 2024/25 estimates).
• Accreditation/notes: Aveda emphasizes plant‑based skincare, spa‑style training, and retail/brand alignment (helpful if you want to work in spa environments carrying Aveda). Strong brand recognition in salons and eco‑conscious spas. (univstats.com)

3. G Skin & Beauty Institute (locations including Oak Brook and Chicago)

• Typical program: Esthetics ~750 hours.
• Cost: Published tuition examples show esthetics tuition around $15,500 (plus kit/books fees noted).
• Accreditation/notes: Smaller, career‑school style with focused esthetics curriculum; may offer flexible schedules and local employer connections in Chicagoland. Good option if you prefer regional schools over national chains. (gskinbeautyinstitute.edu)

4. Trenz Beauty Academy (Chicago / Calumet City)

• Typical program: Esthetics often 750 hours (school lists 750‑hour esthetics program).
• Cost: Example published totals ~ $13k–$16k depending on campus and kit fees (site lists tuition $11,500 + kit to total ~$13,250 in one listing).
• Accreditation/notes: Community‑focused, often competitive pricing, multiple schedule options (full/part‑time/evening). Look for published gainful‑employment/placement data on their consumer disclosures. (trenzbeautyacademy.com)

5. John Amico School of Hair Design (near Chicago)

• Typical program: Esthetics 750 clock hours.
• Cost: Example listing shows tuition ~$13,409 plus supplies (total ≈ $15,420).
• Accreditation/notes: Longstanding regional cosmetology school with hands‑on training and industry ties (good if you want a local-school experience with a wide alumni network). (johnamicoschoolofhairdesign.com)

How these schools compare on key factors

• Hours & Licensing Prep: Most full esthetics programs in IL are 600–750 hours; the schools above list 750‑hour programs (the common standard for full esthetics licensure prep). Confirm the school’s consumer info to ensure the curriculum prepares you for the IL board exam. (paulmitchell.edu)
• Cost: Typical total program costs range broadly (~$12k up to $18k+). National chains (Paul Mitchell, Aveda) tend to be on the higher side; local academies often cost less. Always confirm total cost (tuition + kit + fees + taxes) on the school’s consumer disclosure. (paulmitchell.edu)
• Schedule & Flexibility: Many schools offer full‑time and part‑time schedules, evening classes, or hybrid options. If you need to work while training, look for part‑time/evening cohorts and ask about average completion time. (paulmitchell.edu)
• Clinical experience & retail training: Brand schools (Aveda, Paul Mitchell) emphasize retail/brand knowledge and client‑floor experience; smaller schools may offer more individualized instructor attention. Choose based on whether you want a spa/brand path or broader local salon skills. (univstats.com)
• Accreditation & Financial Aid: Check for NACCAS or other recognized accreditation on the campus you’re considering; accredited programs may offer federal financial aid. Schools publish consumer information (graduation & placement rates) — review those before committing. (beautyschoolsdirectory.com)

Which one should you pick?

• Choose Paul Mitchell or Aveda if you want strong brand recognition, consistent national curriculum, and spa/retail pathway. (paulmitchell.edu)
• Choose G Skin, Trenz, John Amico (or other local institutes) if you want lower tuition, smaller classes, and local industry connections. (gskinbeautyinstitute.edu)

Next steps (practical):

1. Confirm Illinois licensing clock‑hour requirement and any recent changes at the IDFPR site (important — licensing rules and hour minimums can change).
2. Request each school’s most recent consumer disclosure (graduation, placement, licensure pass rates, total cost breakdown). These are legally required and reveal outcomes. (I cited examples but consumer numbers can change by campus and year.) (paulmitchell.edu)
3. Visit campuses, watch a clinic floor, and ask to speak with recent grads or placement staff about job outcomes and employer relationships.
4. Compare total cost (tuition + kit + exam fees), schedule fit, and whether federal aid or payment plans are available.

If you’d like, I can:

• Look up current IL esthetics licensing hour requirement and link to the IDFPR page.
• Pull the latest consumer disclosure pages (graduation, placement and licensure rates and exact current tuition) for 2–3 schools you care most about (just tell me which ones).

Which of the schools above do you want me to fetch the current consumer disclosures and exact latest tuition/start dates for?