2027 Best Value Cosmetology Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 126 schools to find the best return on investment for cosmetology students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Cosmetology Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the cosmetology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Cosmetology Schools
Leading the list is Community College Of Allegheny County, our #1 best value for cosmetology in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,956 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,583 for out-of-state students. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $15,263 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Community College Of Allegheny County generally make around $47,420. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Aesthetic Science Institute is a great value for students pursuing a degree in cosmetology, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Latham, Aesthetic Science Institute is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $6,333 to complete the cosmetology program here. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Aesthetic Science Institute generally make around $22,638.
Lancaster School Of Cosmetology And Therapeutic Bodywork is a great value for students pursuing a degree in cosmetology, landing the #3 spot this year. Lancaster School Of Cosmetology And Therapeutic Bodywork is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Lancaster. Students borrow a median of $7,208 to complete the cosmetology program here. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Lancaster School Of Cosmetology And Therapeutic Bodywork generally make around $19,624. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lia Schorr Institute Of Cosmetic Skin Care Training came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Lia Schorr Institute Of Cosmetic Skin Care Training is a small private for-profit school located in the city of New York. Students borrow a median of $6,333 to complete the cosmetology program here. Cosmetology graduates of Lia Schorr Institute Of Cosmetic Skin Care Training earn a median of $17,926 early in their careers.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Robert Fiance Beauty Schools North Plainfield earned it the #5 place for cosmetology. Robert Fiance Beauty Schools North Plainfield is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of North Plainfield. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $8,248 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Robert Fiance Beauty Schools North Plainfield generally make around $22,676. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ocean County Vocational Technical School earned the #6 position for value in cosmetology this year. Located in the suburb of Toms River, Ocean County Vocational Technical School is a small public university. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $15,002.
Eastern Suffolk Boces Riverhead came in at #7 for value in cosmetology this year. Located in the suburb of Riverhead, Eastern Suffolk Boces Riverhead is a small public university. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,394.
Erie 1 Boces ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Located in the suburb of West Seneca, Erie 1 Boces is a small public university. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $9,500. Cosmetology graduates of Erie 1 Boces earn a median of $15,359 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Career School Of Ny earned the #9 position for value in cosmetology this year. Set in the city of Staten Island, Career School Of Ny is a small private not-for-profit institution. Graduates go on to earn a median of $35,778 ten years after entry.
Laurel Technical Institute ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Set in the rural area of Hermitage, Laurel Technical Institute is a small private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,431. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $13,600 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Laurel Technical Institute generally make around $17,251. That is a strong return on a $13,600 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Aveda Institute Maryland ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Set in the suburb of Bel Air, Aveda Institute Maryland is a small private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $9,833. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Aveda Institute Maryland generally make around $16,394. That is a strong return on a $9,833 median debt.
Susquehanna County Career And Technology Center ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Susquehanna County Career And Technology Center is a small public school located in the rural area of Springville. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $9,500. Cosmetology graduates of Susquehanna County Career And Technology Center earn a median of $42,238 early in their careers.
Eastern Suffolk Boces Oakdale ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Located in the suburb of Oakdale, Eastern Suffolk Boces Oakdale is a small public university. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,394 ten years after entry.
Union County Vocational Technical School came in at #14 for value in cosmetology this year. Set in the suburb of Scotch Plains, Union County Vocational Technical School is a small public institution. Median earnings reach $37,590 ten years out.
Sharp Edgez Barber Institute landed the #15 spot for cosmetology value this year. Set in the city of Rochester, Sharp Edgez Barber Institute is a small private for-profit institution. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $6,333 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Sharp Edgez Barber Institute generally make around $11,084.
Laurel Business Institute earned the #16 position for value in cosmetology this year. Located in the town of Uniontown, Laurel Business Institute is a small private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,713. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Laurel Business Institute generally make around $15,447. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Butler Beauty Academy placed #17 among the best values for cosmetology. Located in the town of Butler, Butler Beauty Academy is a small private for-profit university. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $8,028. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Butler Beauty Academy generally make around $13,502. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
York County School Of Technology Adult And Continuing Education ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Located in the suburb of York, York County School Of Technology Adult And Continuing Education is a small public university. Students borrow a median of $14,894 to complete the cosmetology program here. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from York County School Of Technology Adult And Continuing Education generally make around $47,870. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Atelier Esthetique Institute Of Esthetics came in at #19 for value in cosmetology this year. Atelier Esthetique Institute Of Esthetics is a small private for-profit school located in the city of New York. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $6,333 in student loans. Cosmetology graduates of Atelier Esthetique Institute Of Esthetics earn a median of $21,516 early in their careers. Set against $6,333 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Continental School Of Beauty Culture Rochester earned the #20 position for value in cosmetology this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Continental School Of Beauty Culture Rochester is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $9,617 to complete the cosmetology program here. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $18,208. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Christine Valmy International School For Esthetics Skin Care And Makeup landed the #21 spot for cosmetology value this year. Set in the city of New York, Christine Valmy International School For Esthetics Skin Care And Makeup is a small private for-profit institution. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $6,197 in student loans. Cosmetology graduates of Christine Valmy International School For Esthetics Skin Care And Makeup earn a median of $19,396 early in their careers.
Continental School Of Beauty Culture West Seneca came in at #22 for value in cosmetology this year. Continental School Of Beauty Culture West Seneca is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of West Seneca. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $9,847 in student loans. Cosmetology graduates of Continental School Of Beauty Culture West Seneca earn a median of $22,092 early in their careers. Set against $9,847 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The Salon Professional Academy Altoona placed #23 among the best values for cosmetology. The Salon Professional Academy Altoona is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Altoona. Students borrow a median of $9,936 to complete the cosmetology program here. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from The Salon Professional Academy Altoona generally make around $19,048. That is a strong return on a $9,936 median debt.
Butler Beauty Academy New Castle Beauty Academy landed the #24 spot for cosmetology value this year. Located in the town of New Castle, Butler Beauty Academy New Castle Beauty Academy is a small private for-profit university. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $8,028 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Butler Beauty Academy New Castle Beauty Academy generally make around $13,502. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
New York School Of Esthetics And Day Spa ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Located in the city of white plains, New York School Of Esthetics And Day Spa is a small private for-profit university. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $20,531.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Cosmetology Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for cosmetology this year:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 126 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 126 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
