2027 Best Value Cosmetology Schools in Pennsylvania
[Cosmetology](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/cosmetology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 46 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for cosmetology students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Cosmetology Schools in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania. Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,956, while out-of-state students pay about $12,583. Students borrow a median of $15,263 to complete the cosmetology program here. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $47,420. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Lancaster School Of Cosmetology And Therapeutic Bodywork one of the best values for cosmetology. 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. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $19,624. That is a strong return on a $7,208 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Laurel Technical Institute earned it the #3 place for cosmetology. Located in the rural area of Hermitage, Laurel Technical Institute is a small private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,431. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $13,600 in student loans. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $17,251. That is a strong return on a $13,600 median debt. Laurel Technical Institute admits about 85% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Susquehanna County Career And Technology Center one of the best values for cosmetology. Set in the rural area of Springville, Susquehanna County Career And Technology Center is a small public institution. 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.
A rank of #5 makes York County School Of Technology Adult And Continuing Education one of the best values for cosmetology. York County School Of Technology Adult And Continuing Education is a small public school located in the suburb of York. Students borrow a median of $14,894 to complete the cosmetology program here. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $47,870. That is a strong return on a $14,894 median debt.
Laurel Business Institute placed #6 among the best values for cosmetology. Set in the town of Uniontown, Laurel Business Institute is a small private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $13,713 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the cosmetology program here. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Laurel Business Institute generally make around $15,447. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
The Salon Professional Academy Altoona earned the #7 position for value in cosmetology this year. Set in the suburb of Altoona, The Salon Professional Academy Altoona is a small private for-profit institution. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Butler Beauty Academy placed #8 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. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $13,502. That is a strong return on a $8,028 median debt.
Butler Beauty Academy New Castle Beauty Academy came in at #9 for value in cosmetology this year. Butler Beauty Academy New Castle Beauty Academy is a small private for-profit school located in the town of New Castle. Students borrow a median of $8,028 to complete the cosmetology program here. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Butler Beauty Academy New Castle Beauty Academy generally make around $13,502. That is a strong return on a $8,028 median debt.
Butler Beauty Academy Kittanning Beauty Academy landed the #10 spot for cosmetology value this year. Butler Beauty Academy Kittanning Beauty Academy is a small private for-profit school located in the town of Kittanning. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $8,028 in student loans. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $13,502. Set against $8,028 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The Beauty Institute Allentown placed #11 among the best values for cosmetology. Set in the suburb of Whitehall, The Beauty Institute Allentown is a small private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $11,234. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $15,063. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lansdale School Of Cosmetology Inc landed the #12 spot for cosmetology value this year. Located in the suburb of Lansdale, Lansdale School Of Cosmetology Inc is a small private for-profit university. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $17,234.
Divine Crown Academy Of Cosmetology earned the #13 position for value in cosmetology this year. Set in the suburb of Harrisburg, Divine Crown Academy Of Cosmetology is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $12,588 to complete the cosmetology program here. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Divine Crown Academy Of Cosmetology generally make around $14,803.
Empire Beauty School Monroeville ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Located in the suburb of Monroeville, Empire Beauty School Monroeville is a small private for-profit university. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $13,583 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Empire Beauty School Monroeville generally make around $16,429. Set against $13,583 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Venus Beauty Academy ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Located in the suburb of Aston, Venus Beauty Academy is a small private for-profit university. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $10,777. Cosmetology graduates of Venus Beauty Academy earn a median of $8,464 early in their careers. Set against $10,777 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Empire Beauty School Springfield landed the #16 spot for cosmetology value this year. Set in the suburb of Springfield, Empire Beauty School Springfield is a small private for-profit institution. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $13,583 in student loans. Cosmetology graduates of Empire Beauty School Springfield earn a median of $16,429 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Empire Beauty School Hanover placed #17 among the best values for cosmetology. Set in the city of Hanover, Empire Beauty School Hanover is a small private for-profit institution. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $17,113. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Empire Beauty School Lancaster ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Set in the suburb of Lancaster, Empire Beauty School Lancaster is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $13,583 to complete the cosmetology program here. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Empire Beauty School Lancaster generally make around $16,429. That is a strong return on a $13,583 median debt.
Empire Beauty School Lehigh Valley placed #19 among the best values for cosmetology. Empire Beauty School Lehigh Valley is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Whitehall. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $13,583. Cosmetology graduates of Empire Beauty School Lehigh Valley earn a median of $16,429 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,583 median debt.
Empire Beauty School Harrisburg came in at #20 for value in cosmetology this year. Empire Beauty School Harrisburg is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Harrisburg. Students borrow a median of $13,583 to complete the cosmetology program here. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $16,062. Set against $13,583 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Great Lakes Institute Of Technology came in at #21 for value in cosmetology this year. Set in the suburb of Erie, Great Lakes Institute Of Technology is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $12,253 to complete the cosmetology program here. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Great Lakes Institute Of Technology generally make around $16,280. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The Beauty Institute Ambler placed #22 among the best values for cosmetology. Located in the suburb of Ambler, The Beauty Institute Ambler is a small private for-profit university. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $11,705. Cosmetology graduates of The Beauty Institute Ambler earn a median of $15,977 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,705 median debt.
Empire Beauty School Center City Philadelphia came in at #23 for value in cosmetology this year. Empire Beauty School Center City Philadelphia is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $13,583. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $16,062. That is a strong return on a $13,583 median debt.
Empire Beauty School Wyoming Valley earned the #24 position for value in cosmetology this year. Located in the suburb of Moosic, Empire Beauty School Wyoming Valley is a small private for-profit university. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $13,583. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $15,679. Set against $13,583 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Barber School Of Pittsburgh came in at #25 for value in cosmetology this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Barber School Of Pittsburgh is a small private for-profit university. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $13,583. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $17,890.
Rest of the Top 46 Best Value Cosmetology Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for cosmetology this year:
More Cosmetology Rankings
View All Cosmetology Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 46 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 46 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.
