Chicago State University vs Cosmetology & Spa Academy: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Chicago State University comes closer — median earnings $42,778 against a $49,340 total, vs $29,779 at Cosmetology & Spa Academy. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Chicago State University | Cosmetology & Spa Academy |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $12,335 | $16,708 |
| Total net cost | $49,340 | $66,832 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $42,778 | $29,779 |
| Median debt | $30,625 | $7,917 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$160,980 | -$438,452 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Chicago State University or Cosmetology & Spa Academy?
Chicago State University, at $12,335 a year after aid versus $16,708 — a gap of $4,373 a year, or $17,492 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Chicago State University or Cosmetology & Spa Academy graduates earn more?
Chicago State University graduates report a median $42,778 ten years after entry, $12,999 more than the $29,779 at Cosmetology & Spa Academy. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Chicago State University or Cosmetology & Spa Academy?
Cosmetology & Spa Academy: its completers carry a median $7,917 in federal loans versus $30,625 at Chicago State University, a difference of $22,708. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
70% of students finish at Cosmetology & Spa Academy, against 15% at Chicago State University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.