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2022 Best Value Cosmetology Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k

62 Ranked Colleges
992 Degrees Awarded
$4,700 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Cosmetology Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Cosmetology Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2019-2020, 95,609 people earned their degree in cosmetology, making the major the 238th most popular in the United States. In 2017-2018, cosmetology graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $15,675 and had an average of $10,029 in loans still to pay off.

At the associate degree level specifically, there were 992 cosmetology graduates with average earnings and debt of $33,082 and $17,678 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Cosmetology Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 62 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in cosmetology. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality cosmetology programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the cosmetology program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Cosmetology Schools

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Cosmetology Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Cosmetology Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for associate degree cosmetology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Cosmetology (Income $0-$30k)

#1

College of San Mateo

San Mateo, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend College of San Mateo. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Cosmetology Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k. San Mateo, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s cosmetology degrees to 3 students in 2019-2020.

CSM did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Cosmetology Associate Degree Schools” list. It costs about $22 for Associate Degree Cosmetology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend CSM.

Read more about Cosmetology at College of San Mateo

#2

Golden West College

Huntington Beach, California

Out of the 62 schools in the Best Value Cosmetology Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Golden West College landed the #2 spot on the list. Golden West College is a public institution located in Huntington Beach, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 16 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Golden West College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Cosmetology Associate Degree Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Golden West College is $1,941 for Associate Degree Cosmetology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Golden West College Cosmetology Report

#3

Citrus College

Glendora, California
#6 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Citrus College. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Cosmetology Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Citrus College is a fairly large school located in Glendora, California that handed out 17 associates’s cosmetology degrees in 2019-2020.

Citrus College also took the #6 spot in our “Best Cosmetology Associate Degree Schools” ranking. It costs about $1,885 for Associate Degree Cosmetology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Citrus College.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Citrus College Cosmetology Report

#4

Clover Park Technical College

Lakewood, Washington

Out of the 62 schools in the Best Value Cosmetology Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Clover Park Technical College landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in Lakewood, Washington, this small public school handed out 53 diplomas to qualified associates’s cosmetology students in 2019-2020.

CPTC also took the #1 spot in our “Best Cosmetology Associate Degree Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Clover Park Technical College is $6,253 for Associate Degree Cosmetology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Cosmetology at CPTC

#5

Houston Community College

Houston, Texas
#4 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Houston Community College. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Cosmetology Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Houston, Texas, and it awarded 35 associates’s cosmetology degrees in 2019-2020.

Houston Community College also made our “Best Cosmetology Associate Degree Schools” list, coming in at #4. The estimated yearly cost for Houston Community College is $4,562 for Associate Degree Cosmetology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Cosmetology at Houston Community College

#6

Wake Technical Community College

Raleigh, North Carolina

Wake Technical Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Cosmetology Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. This large school is located in Raleigh, North Carolina, and it awarded 19 associates’s cosmetology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Wake Technical Community College, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Cosmetology Associate Degree Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Wake Technical Community College is $4,607 for Associate Degree Cosmetology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Wake Technical Community College

#7

Spokane Community College

Spokane, Washington
#10 in overall quality

Spokane Community College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Spokane Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Spokane, Washington. It awarded 13 associates’s cosmetology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Spokane Community College, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Cosmetology Associate Degree Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Spokane Community College is $4,616 for Associate Degree Cosmetology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Spokane Community College

#8

Central New Mexico Community College

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Central New Mexico Community College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and it awarded 14 associates’s cosmetology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CNM, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Cosmetology Associate Degree Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend CNM is $2,604 for Associate Degree Cosmetology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Cosmetology at Central New Mexico Community College

#9

Fayetteville Technical Community College

Fayetteville, North Carolina
#14 in overall quality

With a ranking of #9, Fayetteville Technical Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Cosmetology Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k list. FTCC is a public institution located in Fayetteville, North Carolina. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 21 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

FTCC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Cosmetology Associate Degree Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for FTCC is $4,126 for associate degree cosmetology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Cosmetology at FTCC

#10

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College

Salisbury, North Carolina

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Cosmetology Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Rowan-Cabarrus Community College is a public institution located in Salisbury, North Carolina. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 11 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best Cosmetology Associate Degree Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Rowan-Cabarrus Community College is $2,710 for associate degree cosmetology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Cosmetology at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College

#11

Central Piedmont Community College

Charlotte, North Carolina

Central Piedmont Community College landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Cosmetology Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Charlotte, North Carolina, this fairly large public school handed out 14 degrees to qualified associates’s cosmetology students in 2019-2020.

Central Piedmont Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Cosmetology Associate Degree Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Central Piedmont Community College is $5,937 for Associate Degree Cosmetology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Cosmetology at Central Piedmont Community College

#12

Century College

White Bear Lake, Minnesota

With a ranking of #12, Century College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Cosmetology Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Century College is a medium-sized public school situated in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. It awarded 5 associates’s cosmetology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our associate degree cosmetology students whose families make $0-$30k list, Century College has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Cosmetology Associate Degree Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Century College is $9,460 for Associate Degree Cosmetology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Cosmetology at Century College

#13

Honolulu Community College

Honolulu, Hawaii

Honolulu Community College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cosmetology Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Honolulu, Hawaii is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s cosmetology degrees to 13 students in 2019-2020.

Honolulu CC also made our “Best Cosmetology Associate Degree Schools” list, coming in at #8. It costs about $7,601 for associate degree cosmetology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Honolulu CC.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Honolulu Community College

#14

Oakland Community College

Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

Oakland Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Cosmetology Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #14. Oakland Community College is located in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 associates’s cosmetology degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Oakland Community College is $-51 for associate degree cosmetology students whose families make $0-$30k. A negative average net price may seem strange, but it generally means that financial aid will more than cover the cost to attend the school.

Full Oakland Community College Cosmetology Report

#15

Fort Scott Community College

Fort Scott, Kansas

Fort Scott Community College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cosmetology Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in Fort Scott, Kansas, and it awarded 2 associates’s cosmetology degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for FSCC is $3,615 for associate degree cosmetology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Fort Scott Community College

#16

Riverside City College

Riverside, California

Riverside City College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cosmetology Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Riverside City College is a public institution located in Riverside, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 12 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Riverside City College also took the #15 spot in our “Best Cosmetology Associate Degree Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Riverside City College is $4,620 for Associate Degree Cosmetology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Riverside City College

#17

San Juan College

Farmington, New Mexico

San Juan College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k list. San Juan College is a medium-sized public school situated in Farmington, New Mexico. It awarded 7 associates’s cosmetology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our associate degree cosmetology students whose families make $0-$30k list, SJC has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Cosmetology Associate Degree Schools” ranking. It costs about $5,586 for associate degree cosmetology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend San Juan College.

Read full report on Cosmetology at San Juan College

#16 in overall quality

With a ranking of #18, Wallace State Community College, Hanceville did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Cosmetology Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Hanceville, Alabama is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s cosmetology degrees to 25 students in 2019-2020.

Wallace State, Hanceville not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Cosmetology Associate Degree Schools” list. It costs about $7,191 for Associate Degree Cosmetology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Wallace State, Hanceville.

Read more about Cosmetology at Wallace State Community College, Hanceville

San Jacinto Community College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Pasadena, Texas, and it awarded 28 associates’s cosmetology degrees in 2019-2020.

San Jacinto College also took the #3 spot in our “Best Cosmetology Associate Degree Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for San Jacinto Community College is $8,232 for Associate Degree Cosmetology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Cosmetology at San Jacinto College

#20

San Diego City College

San Diego, California

San Diego City College landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Cosmetology Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. San Diego, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s cosmetology degrees to 4 students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $4,617 for associate degree cosmetology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend San Diego City College.

Read full report on Cosmetology at San Diego City College

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Asheville, North Carolina. It awarded 6 associates’s cosmetology degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College is $6,559 for Associate Degree Cosmetology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Cosmetology at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College

#22

Hill College

Hillsboro, Texas
#17 in overall quality

Hill College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cosmetology Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Hillsboro, Texas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s cosmetology degrees to 6 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Hill College, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Cosmetology Associate Degree Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Hill College is $6,951 for Associate Degree Cosmetology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Cosmetology at Hill College

#23

Everett Community College

Everett, Washington
#13 in overall quality

With a ranking of #23, Everett Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Cosmetology Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Everett, Washington, this medium-sized public school handed out 9 diplomas to qualified associates’s cosmetology students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our associate degree cosmetology students whose families make $0-$30k list, Everett Community College has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Cosmetology Associate Degree Schools” ranking. It costs about $5,987 for Associate Degree Cosmetology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Everett Community College.

Read more about Cosmetology at Everett Community College

#24

Eastern Wyoming College

Torrington, Wyoming

Eastern Wyoming College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cosmetology Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Eastern Wyoming College is a small school located in Torrington, Wyoming that handed out 13 associates’s cosmetology degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $4,530 for associate degree cosmetology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Eastern Wyoming College.

Full Eastern Wyoming College Cosmetology Report

#25

Garden City Community College

Garden City, Kansas

With a ranking of #25, Garden City Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Cosmetology Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Garden City Community College is a small public school situated in Garden City, Kansas. It awarded 1 associates’s cosmetology degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Garden City Community College is $3,184 for associate degree cosmetology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Garden City Community College

Notes and References

References

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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