Short answer: it can be — but whether Illinois cosmetology school is "worth it" depends on your goals, how you pay for school, and your willingness to build clientele. Below are the key facts and practical pros/cons to help you decide.

Key facts (sources)

• Illinois requires about 1,500 training hours to qualify for a cosmetology license (most IL programs meet this requirement). (SSC.edu)
• Typical full cosmetology programs in Illinois commonly cost roughly $10,000–$20,000 in tuition (plus supplies, fees, tests); some programs and community-college options can be cheaper or more expensive. (UnivStats.com)
• Pay varies widely by experience, location, and whether you’re booth‑renting, employed, or self‑employed. National median hourly wage for hairdressers/cosmetologists was about $16.95 (May 2024); Illinois job-posting data shows higher local averages (examples around $24.91/hr reported on job sites). Tips and commission can materially change earnings. (BLS.gov)
• Employment growth for barbers/hairstylists/cosmetologists is projected to be modestly positive (~5–6% from 2024–34), so demand should remain. (BLS.gov)
• Licensed cosmetologists in Illinois must complete continuing education (IDFPR requirements and CE hours vary; current renewal CE guidance cites about 14 hours every two years). (ilbeautyceu.com)

Pros — when it’s likely worth it

• You want a hands-on, creative, people-facing career and are comfortable with variable hours and income.
• You plan to work in higher‑paying areas (Chicago suburbs, affluent neighborhoods) or build a loyal clientele that produces steady tips, retail sales, and repeat bookings. (Indeed.com)
• You minimize debt (use community college programs, scholarships, grants, payment plans, or WIOA funding) so break‑even comes sooner. (apps.illinoisworknet.com)
• You want flexible self‑employment options (booth rental, mobile services, owning a chair/salon). Earnings scale with skill, retail/upsell, and marketing.

Cons — when it may not be worth it

• You must take large loans or max out credit cards to cover tuition; entry-level pay can be low until you build clientele, making debt servicing hard. (UnivStats.com)
• You don’t enjoy long, sometimes physical workdays, or you dislike sales/marketing and managing people — success requires both technical skill and business effort.
• If you expect immediate high, stable income comparable to many college degrees, reality may not match that expectation for several months to years.

How to improve the investment (practical steps)

• Shop schools carefully: compare total cost (tuition + supplies + exam fees), graduation/job placement rates, externship/clinic opportunities, and whether credits transfer. (BestCosmetologySchool.org)
• Favor programs that include business/salon management, client‑building, and real‑world floor time (these speed income growth). (apps.illinoisworknet.com)
• Use financial aid, scholarships, payment plans, or workforce programs (WIOA) to lower upfront cost. (apps.illinoisworknet.com)
• Build clientele while in school (student clinic, social media, local promotions) so you can start earning sooner.
• Consider related, lower‑cost shorter programs (nail tech, esthetics, braiding) if you want faster entry or to supplement income. (apps.illinoisworknet.com)

Quick ROI check (example)

• If tuition + supplies = $15,000 and you average $20/hr (including tips) and work 30 hrs/week, gross annual income ≈ $31k. After taxes, expenses, and initial slow months, payback may take multiple years — but higher hourly rates, more hours, retail sales, or owning a chair shorten payback time. Use local salary data and realistic hours to run your own math. (Indeed.com)

Bottom line

• Yes — cosmetology school in Illinois can be a good investment if you: choose an affordable, high‑quality program; keep debt low; actively build clients; and treat cosmetology as both a craft and small business.
• It’s less likely to be “worth it” if you must assume heavy loans and don’t plan to market/build clientele or are expecting immediate high income.

If you’d like, I can:

• estimate a personalized ROI if you give a program cost you’re considering and a realistic expected hourly rate/weekly hours; or
• compare 2–3 specific Illinois schools/programs (cost, hours, outcomes) if you name them.