Career Training Path › Illinois › Gem City College
Gem City College
Quincy, Illinois · Private for-profit career college · Training programs available:
Address: 700 State St, Quincy, IL 62301 · Phone: (217) 222-0391 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Gem City College is a private for-profit trade school in Quincy, Illinois offering cosmetology programs, accredited by the Council on Occupational Education.
Gem City College has an 87.0% completion rate, above the Illinois state average of 58.4%, with median graduate debt of $9,833 and median earnings of $19,219 ten years after entry, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Annual cost of attendance at Gem City College is $16,347, federal financial aid including Pell Grants can be used, and 42.9% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists | $31,200 | $34,040 | $41,110 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in Illinois (May 2025; national where the state figure is not published). The program table below shows what this campus's own graduates earned in their first year, whatever job they took.
Trade programs at this campus
| Program | Credential | Grads / yr | Earnings, yr 1 | Earnings, yr 2 | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 19 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
Earnings are median wages and self-employment income reported to the IRS (W-2 and Schedule SE) for graduates who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled, measured in the calendar year after finishing. They are pay only: health insurance, retirement contributions and other benefits are not included.
Graduates per year from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey. Earnings and debt are College Scorecard field-of-study medians for graduates of this program at this campus (reported at the 4-digit program level, so closely related programs share a figure); "not reported" means too few graduates were counted to publish a figure.
About this school
Gem City College is a private for-profit trade school in Quincy, Illinois, accredited by the Council on Occupational Education. Students at this campus can use federal financial aid, including FAFSA and Pell Grants, to help pay for their education. The school's single program family is cosmetology, with cosmetology schools accounting for 19 program completions and representing the primary credential awarded on this campus.
Federal data shows a completion rate of 87.0% at this campus, which is above the Illinois state average of 58.4%. Graduates carry a median debt of $9,833, and median earnings 10 years after entry are reported at $19,219. Annual cost of attendance is listed at $16,347, and 42.9% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a substantial share of the student body qualifies for need-based aid.
Given its single, focused cosmetology program, this campus may suit students seeking a shorter, career-specific credential rather than a multi-year associate degree, though specific program length is not reported for this campus in federal data. The school is located in a remote town setting. Prospective students, including adult career changers, should independently verify accreditation status and outcomes through the Council on Occupational Education and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard before enrolling, and contact the school directly for current program details, schedules, and licensing requirements.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Gem City College offers cosmetology programs, listed as its sole program family with 19 completions reported.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, the school is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education, and its accreditation status is listed as Accredited.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this campus participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so students can use FAFSA and Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 87.0%, which is above the Illinois state average of 58.4%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates carry a median debt of $9,833, per federal Scorecard data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are reported at $19,219.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
The annual cost of attendance is listed at $16,347.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
Gem City College is a private for-profit school, which can affect tuition structure and financial aid options compared to public or non-profit institutions.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program length is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school directly at (217) 222-0391 or visit its website for details.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation through the Council on Occupational Education and check outcomes on the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?145309.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The single cosmetology program and small enrollment of 41 students suggest a focused, career-specific setting, but fit for adult career changers depends on factors like schedule and program length not reported in federal data; contact the school to confirm.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing requirements after completing a cosmetology program are not reported in federal data; contact the school or the Illinois cosmetology licensing board for details.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Gem City College at (217) 222-0391 or through its website at https://www.gemcitycollege.com/.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data on other nearby cosmetology schools is not reported in this dataset; check the College Scorecard for nearby institutions.
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See all trade and career schools in Illinois or search by ZIP code.
Data: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey; College Scorecard June 2026; Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), September 2026. Figures are the U.S. Department of Education's official measures, not Career Training Path's opinion. Tuition, schedules and program availability change — confirm with the school before enrolling.