C+

Above Average

Score: 55/100

Overall (traditional)

Outcome Rating

37/100 · earnings-weighted

Gem City College

Less than 2-Year Private For-Profit

📍 Quincy, Illinois 62301

🌐 www.gemcitycollege.com/

Gem City College

ℹ️

Rating Context: This is a specialized vocational program (less than 2-year). Our comprehensive rating system is optimized for traditional colleges and may not fully reflect the value of career-focused training programs.

Suggested Focus: For this type of institution, we recommend prioritizing the Outcomes Score (B+) which measures graduation and job placement rates — the most relevant metrics for career programs.
Graduation Rate: 86%

Outcomes

B+

75/100

Affordability

44/100

Resources

C+

63/100

Experience

53/100

Prestige

33/100

Two ratings: the overall grade compares colleges the conventional way (outcomes, cost, resources, experience, reputation). The Outcome Rating asks what students earn: 60% wage-adjusted earnings 10 years after enrolling, 25% graduation, 15% retention. Methodology

Quick Stats

Total Enrollment

86%

Graduation Rate

89%

Retention Rate

11.0:1

Student-Faculty Ratio

N/A

Acceptance Rate

N/A

Avg Net Price

Earnings, Debt & Completion

What happens to students who enroll at Gem City College, from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.

$19,219

Median earnings 10 yrs after entry

$18,527

Median earnings 6 yrs after entry

$9,833

Median debt at graduation

87%

Completion rate (within 150% of normal time)

42.9%

Students receiving Pell grants

Typical debt at graduation equals about 51% of one year’s median earnings ten years after entry.

Earnings rank: 4th percentile among certificate-focused colleges after a partial adjustment for local wage levels (IL wage index 1.04). This drives the Outcome Rating.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved Oct 2026. Earnings are for federally aided students who enrolled, whether or not they graduated.

For parents & investors

The Gem City College Town Property Report

Avg home value near campus: $144,850
Avg rent near campus: $1,222/mo
Top nearby ZIP by cap rate: 62301 (6.6% cap, Quincy)

Get the free 1-page report: rent-vs-dorm math, the 3 best nearby ZIPs by yield, and the “kiddie condo” strategy parents use.

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Costs & Financial Aid

Tuition & Fees

Category	In-State	Out-of-State
Tuition	N/A	N/A

Financial Aid

86%

Receive Any Aid

45%

Receive Pell Grants

50%

Take Out Loans

N/A

Avg Net Price

Programs & Career Paths

Top Degree Programs

Programs ranked by number of degrees awarded annually.

Cosmetology/Cosmetologist, General 12 grads/yr Watchmaking and Jewelrymaking 11 grads/yr Cosmetology, Barber/Styling, and Nail Instructor 1 grads/yr

Related Career Paths

Careers that graduates from Gem City College's top programs commonly pursue.

Makeup artists, theatrical and performance

$50k/yr 7,000 jobs

Skincare specialists

$42k/yr 97,400 jobs

Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists

$35k/yr 575,200 jobs

Manicurists and pedicurists

$35k/yr 210,100 jobs

Shampooers

$31k/yr 18,500 jobs

Watch and clock repairers

$61k/yr 1,400 jobs

Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers

$49k/yr 35,100 jobs

Timing device assemblers and adjusters

$41k/yr 200 jobs

Student Demographics

Total Students

67%

Women

71%

Traditional Age (18-24)

👥 Race & Ethnicity

White 95%

Hispanic 2%

Black 2%

🏠 Living Arrangements

💻 Learning Mode

In-Person 100%

📊 Age Distribution

18-24 (Traditional) 71%

25-64 (Adult) 29%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Gem City College?

Acceptance rate data is not available for this institution. Many schools with open enrollment or specialized programs do not report traditional acceptance rates.

How much does it cost to attend Gem City College?

Detailed tuition information is not available for this institution. Contact the admissions office for current pricing.

What is the graduation rate at Gem City College?

The graduation rate at Gem City College is 86%. This is considered an excellent graduation rate, indicating strong student success and support systems.

Is Gem City College a good school?

Gem City College has a Repit College Score of 55/100 (Grade: C+). Our rating evaluates five key factors:

Outcomes (B+): Graduation and retention rates
Affordability (D): Net cost and financial aid access
Resources (C+): Class sizes and selectivity
Experience (C): Campus life and learning format
Prestige (D): Reputation and recognition

Note: As a vocational program, we recommend focusing on the Outcomes score when evaluating this school.

How many students attend Gem City College?

Gem City College has a total enrollment of 42 students. Most students (71%) are traditional college-age (18-24).

Deciding between a dorm and buying near campus? Run the numbers for Gem City College — four years of dorm costs vs. owning, including what you’d recover at resale. Buy vs Dorm calculator →