- Quincy Beauty Academy has been in continuous operation since 1945, training students in the skills of cosmetology. It became a Division of Gem City College on January 1, 1975.
School Highlights
Gem City College serves 49 students (100% of students are full-time).
The college's student-teacher ratio of 7:1 is lower than the state community college average of 21:1.
Minority enrollment is 16% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the state average of 53%.
Quick Facts (2025-26)
- Enrollment: 49 students
- Acceptance Rate: 75%
- Student-teacher ratio: 7:1
- Minority enrollment: 16%
- Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
Top Rankings
Gem City College ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Illinois for:
Category
Attribute
Completion Rates
School Overview
The teacher population of 7 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Gem City College
(IL) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Not applicable, not in Carnegie universe (not accredited or nondegree-granting)
Associate's Colleges: Mixed Transfer/Career & Technical-High Nontraditional
Institution Level
Less than 2 years (below associate)
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control
Private for-profit
Public
Total Faculty
7 staff
239 staff
Number of Programs Offered
5
4
School Calendar
Student Body
The student population of Gem City College has grown by 88% over five years.
The student-teacher ratio of 7:1 has increased from 4:1 over five years.
The Gem City College diversity score of 0.27 is less than the state average of 0.69. The school's diversity has grown by 251% over five years.
Total Enrollment
49 students
3,838 students
Student-Teacher Ratio
7:1
21:1
# Full-Time Students
49 students
1,091 students
# Part-Time Students
n/a
2,747 students
# Enrollment Undergraduate
49 students
328 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
49 students
1,091 students
# Full-Time Graduate Students
n/a
43 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
n/a
3,310 students
# Part-Time Graduate Students
n/a
18 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
n/a
132 students
% Asian
6%
6%
% Hispanic
n/a
26%
% Black
8%
13%
% White
84%
47%
% Hawaiian
2%
n/a
% Two or more races
n/a
3%
% Non Resident races
n/a
1%
% Unknown races
n/a
4%
Diversity Score
0.27
0.69
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
75%
40%
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
n/a
55%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$19,700
$31,800
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
63%
81%
Median Debt for Graduates
$9,651
$8,029
Median Debt for Dropouts
$4,750
$3,500
Acceptance Rate
75%
89%
SAT Reading
n/a
390
SAT Math
n/a
360
SAT Writing
n/a
355
ACT Composite
n/a
17
ACT English
n/a
17
ACT Math
n/a
17
Source: 2024 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) , School Administrators
School Notes
- Your training at Quincy Beauty Academy is merely the beginning to a whole lifetime of learning. This basic training can be expanded upon to allow you to have many different careers - all in the cosmetology profession. Excellence - it's a well-known tradition at Gem City College School of Horology. Recommendations by master jewelers across the country attest to Gem City's reputation as one of the best training centers available for learning the fine art of watchmaking, clock repair, engraving and jewelry design and repair. We offer training that can give you immediate recognition as a qualified craftsman with skills that are in great demand! Each lesson in the GCC home study program is made up on text material, a self-check test and a practical job assignment. When students have completed a job assignment, they return it to the school for correction, evaluation, and comments by the instructor. Thus, the instructor can spot both strengths and areas in which more work is needed while the student progresses through the training. Instructors will suggest ways for the students to overcome difficulties and answer any questions about the work. Students receive careful, personal attention from their instructor. The instructors engaged in the GCC Home Study Program are experts in their fields. The classroom teaching experience makes them well acquainted with the types of problems commonly encountered by beginning students. Also they have had experience working in their own jewelry and watch repair businesses, so they know the practical problems which face professional jewelers. Specially constructed carousel stations provided attractive working space for the advanced students. Those in the beginning stages of study have access to the facilities. Instruction is implemented by audio-visual aids, and new techniques allow an up-to-date curriculum.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate of Gem City College?
The acceptance rate of Gem City College is 75%, which is lower than the state average of 89%.
What is Gem City College's ranking?
Gem City College ranks among the top 20% of community college in Illinois for: Highest completion rates.
Nearby Schools
The nearest community college to Gem City College is Blessing Rieman College of Nursing and Health Sciences (2.9 miles away)
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
Blessing Rieman College of Nursing and Health Sciences
Private not-for-profit
3609 North Marx Drive
Quincy, IL 62305
(217) 228-5520
Quincy, IL 62305
(217) 228-5520
2.9 miles
Enrollment: 199 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Private-state tuition: $12,027 Minority enrollment: 10%
1301 S 48th Street
Quincy, IL 62305
(217) 224-6500
Quincy, IL 62305
(217) 224-6500
3.7 miles
Enrollment: 2,554 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 In-state tuition: $7,290 Out-state tuition: $7,290 Minority enrollment: 13%
1500 West Agency Road
West Burlington, IA 52655
(319) 752-2731
West Burlington, IA 52655
(319) 752-2731
62.4 miles
Enrollment: 3,810 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 In-state tuition: $4,590 Out-state tuition: $4,740 Minority enrollment: 43%
101 College Ave
Moberly, MO 65270
(660) 263-4100
Moberly, MO 65270
(660) 263-4100
65.9 miles
Enrollment: 6,539 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 In-state tuition: $4,170 Out-state tuition: $5,820 Minority enrollment: 22%
American Hair Academy
Private for-profit
304 South Iris
Mt. Pleasant, IA 52641
(319) 219-6248
Mt. Pleasant, IA 52641
(319) 219-6248
71.9 miles
Enrollment: 26 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
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