2027 Best Value Cosmetology Schools in the The Plains States 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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 87 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for cosmetology students.
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2027 Best Value Cosmetology Schools in the The Plains States 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 Hutchinson Community College, our #1 best value for cosmetology in the The Plains States Region. Hutchinson Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Hutchinson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,540, while out-of-state students pay about $4,770. Students borrow a median of $18,148 to complete the cosmetology program here. Cosmetology graduates of Hutchinson Community College earn a median of $17,437 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,148 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in cosmetology will find it at Fort Scott Community College, which ranked #2. Fort Scott Community College is a small public school located in the town of Fort Scott. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,390, compared with $3,840 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $5,500. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $20,691. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Garden City Community College one of the best values for cosmetology. Set in the town of Garden City, Garden City Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,690, compared with $4,320 for out-of-state students. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Garden City Community College generally make around $18,724. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Dodge City Community College one of the best values for cosmetology. Located in the town of Dodge City, Dodge City Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,650, compared with $5,850 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,427 ten years after entry.
Washburn Institute Of Technology came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn Institute Of Technology is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,880. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the cosmetology program here. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Washburn Institute Of Technology generally make around $22,547. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt.
Seward County Community College And Area Technical School placed #6 among the best values for cosmetology. Set in the town of Liberal, Seward County Community College And Area Technical School is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,032, while out-of-state students pay about $5,408. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $9,175 in student loans. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $53,375. That is a strong return on a $9,175 median debt.
Ridgewater College came in at #7 for value in cosmetology this year. Located in the town of Willmar, Ridgewater College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,121. Students borrow a median of $9,750 to complete the cosmetology program here. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $21,574. That is a strong return on a $9,750 median debt.
Riverland Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Riverland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Austin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,297. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $15,732 in student loans. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $49,194. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Century College landed the #9 spot for cosmetology value this year. Set in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,214. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $21,332. Cosmetology graduates of Century College earn a median of $47,502 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,332 median debt.
Independence Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Independence Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Independence. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,950 for out-of-state students. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $7,302 in student loans. Cosmetology graduates of Independence Community College earn a median of $23,620 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College placed #11 among the best values for cosmetology. Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Saint Paul. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,326. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $14,250. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College generally make around $32,987. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Minnesota West Community And Technical College came in at #12 for value in cosmetology this year. Minnesota West Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Granite Falls. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,491. Students borrow a median of $8,730 to complete the cosmetology program here. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $17,767. Set against $8,730 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cowley County Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Set in the town of Arkansas City, Cowley County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,600 for out-of-state students. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $9,312 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Cowley County Community College generally make around $34,099. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Minnesota State Community And Technical College placed #14 among the best values for cosmetology. Minnesota State Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Fergus Falls. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,908. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $10,169 in student loans. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $24,367. That is a strong return on a $10,169 median debt.
Johnson County Community College landed the #15 spot for cosmetology value this year. Set in the city of Overland Park, Johnson County Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,424 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,688. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $5,424 in student loans. Cosmetology graduates of Johnson County Community College earn a median of $21,250 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,424 median debt.
Northwest Kansas Technical College landed the #16 spot for cosmetology value this year. Located in the town of Goodland, Northwest Kansas Technical College is a small public university. Cosmetology graduates of Northwest Kansas Technical College earn a median of $41,638 early in their careers.
La James College Of Hairstyling And Cosmetology placed #17 among the best values for cosmetology. La James College Of Hairstyling And Cosmetology is a small private for-profit school located in the town of Mason City. Students borrow a median of $8,582 to complete the cosmetology program here. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from La James College Of Hairstyling And Cosmetology generally make around $23,313. That is a strong return on a $8,582 median debt.
Model College Of Hair Design landed the #18 spot for cosmetology value this year. Model College Of Hair Design is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Saint Cloud. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $8,778 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Model College Of Hair Design generally make around $25,814. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Avalon School Of Cosmetology landed the #19 spot for cosmetology value this year. Set in the town of Worthington, Avalon School Of Cosmetology is a small private for-profit institution. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $28,336.
Warrensburg Area Career Center came in at #20 for value in cosmetology this year. Set in the town of Warrensburg, Warrensburg Area Career Center is a small public institution. Students borrow a median of $12,614 to complete the cosmetology program here. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Warrensburg Area Career Center generally make around $23,749. Set against $12,614 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Warrensburg Area Career Center admits about 100% of applicants.
Grabber School Of Hair Design ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Grabber School Of Hair Design is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $12,465 to complete the cosmetology program here. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Grabber School Of Hair Design generally make around $22,626. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Faust Institute Of Cosmetology Spirit Lake placed #22 among the best values for cosmetology. Set in the town of Spirit Lake, Faust Institute Of Cosmetology Spirit Lake is a small private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Faust Institute Of Cosmetology Spirit Lake generally make around $20,098. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Josephs College Cosmetology landed the #23 spot for cosmetology value this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, Josephs College Cosmetology is a small private for-profit university. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Cosmetology graduates of Josephs College Cosmetology earn a median of $22,479 early in their careers. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Iowa School Of Beauty Des Moines earned the #24 position for value in cosmetology this year. Iowa School Of Beauty Des Moines is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Des Moines. Students borrow a median of $9,130 to complete the cosmetology program here. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $20,355. That is a strong return on a $9,130 median debt.
The Salon Professional Academy St Charles placed #25 among the best values for cosmetology. Located in the suburb of St. Charles, The Salon Professional Academy St Charles is a small private for-profit university. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $9,833 in student loans. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $23,204. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Cosmetology Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in cosmetology:
Narrow Cosmetology Schools by State
More Cosmetology Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 87 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 87 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.
