[Cosmetology](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/cosmetology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong cosmetology education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 1300 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value cosmetology schools.
The right cosmetology school can pay off for years to come. To help, we created our Best Value Cosmetology Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Cosmetology Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Trident Technical College earned the #1 spot for value among cosmetology schools in the United States. Trident Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Charleston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,546, while out-of-state students pay about $8,620. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $18,116. Cosmetology graduates of Trident Technical College earn a median of $50,166 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at South Georgia Technical College earned it the #2 place for cosmetology. South Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Americus. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,992, with out-of-state students paying around $7,202. Students borrow a median of $10,423 to complete the cosmetology program here. Cosmetology graduates of South Georgia Technical College earn a median of $20,501 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in cosmetology will find it at Pensacola State College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Pensacola, Pensacola State College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,361, compared with $9,463 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $5,500. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $23,911. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Skyline College earned it the #4 place for cosmetology. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.
A rank of #5 makes Florida State College At Jacksonville one of the best values for cosmetology. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. In-state tuition and fees average $2,657, while out-of-state students pay about $9,631. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $13,577. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $29,668. That is a strong return on a $13,577 median debt.
College Of San Mateo earned the #6 position for value in cosmetology this year. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, compared with $11,428 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $12,831. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,172. That is a strong return on a $12,831 median debt.
College Of The Mainland came in at #7 for value in cosmetology this year. Located in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,310, with out-of-state students paying around $4,140. Students borrow a median of $5,711 to complete the cosmetology program here. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $18,495. That is a strong return on a $5,711 median debt.
Central Piedmont Community College earned the #8 position for value in cosmetology this year. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,792, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $11,861. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $40,629. Set against $11,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Valdosta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,480, with out-of-state students paying around $6,048. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $10,864. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Wiregrass Georgia Technical College generally make around $19,659. Set against $10,864 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lake Land College earned the #10 position for value in cosmetology this year. Set in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,415 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,301. Students borrow a median of $7,769 to complete the cosmetology program here. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Lake Land College generally make around $13,714. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indian River State College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Indian River State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fort Pierce. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,764, with out-of-state students paying around $10,201. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $9,540. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $18,411. Set against $9,540 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Monica College came in at #12 for value in cosmetology this year. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
Fayetteville Technical Community College landed the #13 spot for cosmetology value this year. Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. Students from in state pay about $2,628 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,772. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Cosmetology graduates of Fayetteville Technical Community College earn a median of $40,584 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Chattahoochee Technical College landed the #14 spot for cosmetology value this year. Located in the suburb of Marietta, Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,540, while out-of-state students pay about $6,108. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the cosmetology program here. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Chattahoochee Technical College generally make around $16,767. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Golden West College earned the #15 position for value in cosmetology this year. Located in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,380, with out-of-state students paying around $11,628. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $21,500. Cosmetology graduates of Golden West College earn a median of $82,984 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt.
Southern Regional Technical College earned the #16 position for value in cosmetology this year. Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Thomasville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,007, compared with $5,575 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $9,086. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $15,168. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wharton County Junior College came in at #17 for value in cosmetology this year. Wharton County Junior College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Wharton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,192, with out-of-state students paying around $5,904. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $19,087. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
George C Wallace State Community College Dothan came in at #18 for value in cosmetology this year. Located in the city of Dothan, George C Wallace State Community College Dothan is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,980, while out-of-state students pay about $8,850. Students borrow a median of $9,942 to complete the cosmetology program here. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from George C Wallace State Community College Dothan generally make around $19,828. Set against $9,942 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Wyoming College landed the #19 spot for cosmetology value this year. Set in the town of Torrington, Eastern Wyoming College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,290, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Students borrow a median of $7,690 to complete the cosmetology program here. Cosmetology graduates of Eastern Wyoming College earn a median of $24,995 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,690 median debt.
Spokane Community College earned the #20 position for value in cosmetology this year. Set in the city of Spokane, Spokane Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,461, while out-of-state students pay about $6,612. Students borrow a median of $7,980 to complete the cosmetology program here. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Spokane Community College generally make around $17,869. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Crescent Technical College landed the #21 spot for cosmetology value this year. Located in the town of Griffin, Southern Crescent Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,516, with out-of-state students paying around $6,084. Students borrow a median of $17,619 to complete the cosmetology program here. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Southern Crescent Technical College generally make around $45,062. That is a strong return on a $17,619 median debt.
Gadsden State Community College landed the #22 spot for cosmetology value this year. Set in the city of Gadsden, Gadsden State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,272, while out-of-state students pay about $7,368. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $9,312. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Gadsden State Community College generally make around $19,107. Set against $9,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Daytona State College earned the #23 position for value in cosmetology this year. Set in the city of Daytona Beach, Daytona State College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,106, compared with $11,994 for out-of-state students. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $5,807 in student loans. Cosmetology graduates of Daytona State College earn a median of $20,212 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Coastal Pines Technical College came in at #24 for value in cosmetology this year. Located in the town of Waycross, Coastal Pines Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,268 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,836. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $5,812 in student loans. Cosmetology graduates of Coastal Pines Technical College earn a median of $39,090 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,812 median debt.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College placed #25 among the best values for cosmetology. Set in the city of Rome, Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,300, while out-of-state students pay about $5,868. Students borrow a median of $8,492 to complete the cosmetology program here. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $41,229. That is a strong return on a $8,492 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Cosmetology Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for cosmetology this year:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 1300 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1,300 ranked schools only.
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).
[Cosmetology](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/cosmetology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong cosmetology education at a price that pays off.
