CHICAGO -- Tricoci University of Beauty Culture has been recognized on USA TODAY's list of America's Top Vocational Schools 2026 for its Libertyville and Elgin campuses.
"Being recognized on USA TODAY's America's Top Vocational Schools 2026 List is a meaningful reflection of our commitment to prepare students for successful careers in the beauty industry," said Nate Swanson, CEO at Tricoci University of Beauty Culture. "Our focus has always been on providing students with the hands-on education, technical skills, and career preparation they need to thrive in today's workforce. We're proud to see that commitment recognized and remain dedicated to creating opportunities that help our graduates build rewarding, sustainable careers."
This recognition adds to a list of honors for Tricoci University of Beauty Culture and highlights the institution's commitment to career-focused education, student success, and excellence in the beauty industry. Other awards include multiple Best of BusinessRate 2026 awards, Best Beauty School in Chicago and Best of 2026 Lyons Township Award Winner in the Beauty School category. Other honorable mentions include Chicago Tribune's Top Workplaces Award 2025 and the American Association of Career Schools (AACS) Golden School Awards for School of the Year in 2022 and 2023.
The USA TODAY ranking of the best vocational schools via undergraduate certificate or diploma is based on an analysis of five Key Performance Indicators. It evaluated five dimensions for its research: Graduation Rate, Graduate Salary, Years to Pay Off Net Price, Social Mobility, and Diversity. Data on the schools' performance was collected through publicly available sources like Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and College Scorecard.
All schools were benchmarked against one another using the final score. Based on the results of the study, Tricoci University of Beauty Culture has been recognized as two of America's Top Vocational Schools 2026. This award serves as a reinforcement of Tricoci's unwavering commitment to excellence in hands-on education, career readiness, and workforce development.
Tricoci University of Beauty Culture works closely with industry partners to ensure their curriculum meets the current workforce demands. This enables students to graduate with relevant, high-demand skills that translate directly into employment opportunities.
