by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 59 schools to find the best return on investment for cosmetology students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in cosmetology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Cleveland Community College earned the #1 spot for value among cosmetology schools in North Carolina. Set in the town of Shelby, Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,602 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,746. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $7,131. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $13,347. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Piedmont Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,792, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $11,861 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $40,629. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Johnston Community College earned it the #3 place for cosmetology. Located in the town of Smithfield, Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,756, while out-of-state students pay about $8,900. Students borrow a median of $9,490 to complete the cosmetology program here. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Johnston Community College generally make around $37,472. That is a strong return on a $9,490 median debt.
Edgecombe Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Located in the rural area of Tarboro, Edgecombe Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,640, with out-of-state students paying around $8,784. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the cosmetology program here. Cosmetology graduates of Edgecombe Community College earn a median of $49,528 early in their careers. Set against $13,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in cosmetology will find it at Fayetteville Technical Community College, which ranked #5. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $8,772. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $5,500. 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.
Robeson Community College earned the #6 position for value in cosmetology this year. Set in the town of Lumberton, Robeson Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,604, while out-of-state students pay about $8,748. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $9,949 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Robeson Community College generally make around $52,951. That is a strong return on a $9,949 median debt.
Pamlico Community College earned the #7 position for value in cosmetology this year. Set in the rural area of Grantsboro, Pamlico Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,712, compared with $12,928 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $30,005 ten years after entry.
Piedmont Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Set in the rural area of Roxboro, Piedmont Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,556, compared with $8,700 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $11,000. Cosmetology graduates of Piedmont Community College earn a median of $68,517 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
James Sprunt Community College placed #9 among the best values for cosmetology. Set in the rural area of Kenansville, James Sprunt Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,592, while out-of-state students pay about $8,736. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $11,278. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $35,264. That is a strong return on a $11,278 median debt.
Sampson Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Set in the town of Clinton, Sampson Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,877, with out-of-state students paying around $9,789. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $12,596 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Sampson Community College generally make around $45,929. That is a strong return on a $12,596 median debt.
College Of The Albemarle placed #11 among the best values for cosmetology. Located in the town of Elizabeth City, College Of The Albemarle is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,242, while out-of-state students pay about $7,652. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $10,240 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from College Of The Albemarle generally make around $50,506. Set against $10,240 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Craven Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Craven Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of New Bern. Students from in state pay about $2,022 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,630. Students borrow a median of $8,924 to complete the cosmetology program here. Cosmetology graduates of Craven Community College earn a median of $7,388 early in their careers. Set against $8,924 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sandhills Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Sandhills Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Pinehurst. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,040, with out-of-state students paying around $6,648. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $9,238. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Sandhills Community College generally make around $46,492. That is a strong return on a $9,238 median debt.
Martin Community College earned the #14 position for value in cosmetology this year. Located in the town of Williamston, Martin Community College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,523, while out-of-state students pay about $8,667. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $42,820.
Vance Granville Community College came in at #15 for value in cosmetology this year. Vance Granville Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Henderson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,944, with out-of-state students paying around $6,552. Students borrow a median of $14,833 to complete the cosmetology program here. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $43,272. That is a strong return on a $14,833 median debt.
Central Carolina Community College landed the #16 spot for cosmetology value this year. Located in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,711, while out-of-state students pay about $8,855. Students borrow a median of $12,167 to complete the cosmetology program here. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $24,101. Set against $12,167 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Surry Community College earned the #17 position for value in cosmetology this year. Surry Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Dobson. Students from in state pay about $2,668 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,812. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $9,537 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Surry Community College generally make around $47,188. Set against $9,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwestern Community College Sylva came in at #18 for value in cosmetology this year. Located in the town of Sylva, Southwestern Community College Sylva is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,112, compared with $13,184 for out-of-state students. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $13,708 in student loans. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $14,354. Set against $13,708 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Stanly Community College earned the #19 position for value in cosmetology this year. Set in the town of Albemarle, Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,672, while out-of-state students pay about $8,816. Cosmetology graduates of Stanly Community College earn a median of $41,920 early in their careers.
Mitchell Community College placed #20 among the best values for cosmetology. Set in the town of Statesville, Mitchell Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,651, while out-of-state students pay about $8,795. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $6,313 in student loans. Cosmetology graduates of Mitchell Community College earn a median of $40,450 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock landed the #21 spot for cosmetology value this year. Set in the suburb of Flat Rock, Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,660, with out-of-state students paying around $8,804. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $16,252. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock generally make around $42,443. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gaston College earned the #22 position for value in cosmetology this year. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Gaston College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,186, while out-of-state students pay about $9,330. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $10,915. Cosmetology graduates of Gaston College earn a median of $27,008 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Alamance Community College placed #23 among the best values for cosmetology. Set in the suburb of Graham, Alamance Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,592, compared with $8,736 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,625 to complete the cosmetology program here. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $37,585. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Piedmont Community College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Western Piedmont Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Morganton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,650, compared with $8,794 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,999 to complete the cosmetology program here. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Western Piedmont Community College generally make around $46,883. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Beaufort County Community College earned the #25 position for value in cosmetology this year. Beaufort County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Washington. In-state tuition and fees average $2,540, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $7,947 in student loans. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $38,009. Set against $7,947 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s cosmetology value ranking:
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 · 59 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 59 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.