WhatGradsMake
Certificate (1-2 years)-9% vs national median116 grads tracked

Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services at Rend Lake College

Ranked 34th of 43 certificate (1-2 years) programs in Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$22,683
middle 50%: $17,699 – $27,357
Median · 5 years out
$29,315
middle 50%: $23,771 – $40,922
Median · 10 years out
$32,883
middle 50%: $24,465 – $53,107

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services (certificate (1-2 years)) graduates.

This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates

Graduates of Rend Lake College's certificate (1-2 years) program in Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services earn a median $22,683 one year after graduating, rising to $32,883 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 9% below the national median of $32,231 for this field, ranking 34th of 43 reporting programs.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau PSEO, release V4.13.0 2025Q4. Earnings are for graduates working in covered states; figures are medians in nominal dollars.

Will the degree pay for itself?

Drag the sliders — payback uses this program's actual salary curve.

Assumes a 6.5% APR loan and this program's median salary trajectory (interpolated between years 1, 5 and 10).

Paid off in
16.8 yrs
≈ $20,810 total interest

Same major at other universities

Other majors at Rend Lake College

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