2027 Best Value Cosmetology Schools in New Mexico
[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 12 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for cosmetology students.
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2027 Best Value Cosmetology Schools in New Mexico
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 Central New Mexico Community College, our #1 best value for cosmetology in New Mexico. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $10,112. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $16,496. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Clovis Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in cosmetology, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of Clovis, Clovis Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $1,592 in tuition and fees, compared with $3,344 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $11,082. Cosmetology graduates of Clovis Community College earn a median of $44,390 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 Luna Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the rural area of Las Vegas, Luna Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,474, while out-of-state students pay about $3,418. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $32,091.
A rank of #4 makes University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus one of the best values for cosmetology. Set in the town of Gallup, University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,906, with out-of-state students paying around $5,682. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $10,986 in student loans. Cosmetology graduates of University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus earn a median of $35,132 early in their careers. Set against $10,986 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Juan College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in cosmetology, landing the #5 spot this year. San Juan College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Farmington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,910, with out-of-state students paying around $5,393. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $16,150. Cosmetology graduates of San Juan College earn a median of $41,697 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
New Mexico Junior College earned the #6 position for value in cosmetology this year. Set in the town of Hobbs, New Mexico Junior College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,440 in tuition and fees, compared with $2,280 for out-of-state students. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $9,986 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from New Mexico Junior College generally make around $50,220. That is a strong return on a $9,986 median debt.
Glitz School Of Cosmetology Santa Fe Campus ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Glitz School Of Cosmetology Santa Fe Campus is a small private for-profit school located in the rural area of Santa Fe.
Avenue Academy A Cosmetology Institute placed #8 among the best values for cosmetology. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Avenue Academy A Cosmetology Institute is a small private for-profit institution. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $6,416 in student loans. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $16,841.
Aveda Institute New Mexico landed the #9 spot for cosmetology value this year. Aveda Institute New Mexico is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Albuquerque. Students borrow a median of $9,862 to complete the cosmetology program here. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $18,842.
Glitz School Of Cosmetology came in at #10 for value in cosmetology this year. Glitz School Of Cosmetology is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Las Cruces. Students borrow a median of $12,766 to complete the cosmetology program here. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Glitz School Of Cosmetology generally make around $16,178.
Toni And Guy Hairdressing Academy Albuquerque ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Toni And Guy Hairdressing Academy Albuquerque is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Albuquerque. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $13,000. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $16,872. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Vogue College Of Cosmetology Santa Fe earned the #12 position for value in cosmetology this year. Located in the city of Santa Fe, Vogue College Of Cosmetology Santa Fe is a small private for-profit university. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Cosmetology graduates of Vogue College Of Cosmetology Santa Fe earn a median of $16,854 early in their careers.
More Cosmetology Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
