by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 21 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for cosmetology students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in cosmetology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Dodge City Community College, our #1 best value for cosmetology in Kansas. Located in the town of Dodge City, Dodge City Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,650 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,850. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,427 ten years after entry.
Fort Scott Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Fort Scott Community College is a small public school located in the town of Fort Scott. In-state tuition and fees average $3,390, with out-of-state students paying around $3,840. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $5,500. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $20,691. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in cosmetology will find it at Independence Community College, which ranked #3. Independence Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Independence. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $4,950. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $7,302. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $23,620. That is a strong return on a $7,302 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in cosmetology will find it at Seward County Community College And Area Technical School, which ranked #4. Seward County Community College And Area Technical School is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Liberal. Students from in state pay about $4,032 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,408. Students borrow a median of $9,175 to complete the cosmetology program here. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $53,375. That is a strong return on a $9,175 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in cosmetology will find it at Hutchinson Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Hutchinson, Hutchinson Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,540, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Garden City Community College earned the #6 position for value in cosmetology this year. Garden City Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Garden City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,690, with out-of-state students paying around $4,320. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $5,500. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $18,724. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Washburn Institute Of Technology came in at #7 for value in cosmetology this year. Set in the city of Topeka, Washburn Institute Of Technology is a small public institution. 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. Set against $9,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cowley County Community College landed the #8 spot for cosmetology value this year. Cowley County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Arkansas City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800, compared with $6,600 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $9,312. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $34,099. That is a strong return on a $9,312 median debt.
Johnson County Community College placed #9 among the best values for cosmetology. Located in the city of Overland Park, Johnson County Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,424, with out-of-state students paying around $5,688. Students borrow a median of $5,424 to complete the cosmetology program here. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $21,250. Set against $5,424 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest Kansas Technical College placed #10 among the best values for cosmetology. Northwest Kansas Technical College is a small public school located in the town of Goodland. Cosmetology graduates of Northwest Kansas Technical College earn a median of $41,638 early in their careers.
Mitsu Sato Hair Academy ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Located in the city of Overland Park, Mitsu Sato Hair Academy is a small private for-profit university. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Cosmetology graduates of Mitsu Sato Hair Academy earn a median of $17,143 early in their careers.
Eric Fisher Academy came in at #12 for value in cosmetology this year. Located in the city of Wichita, Eric Fisher Academy is a small private for-profit university. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $9,339 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Eric Fisher Academy generally make around $20,465. Set against $9,339 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hays Academy Of Hair Design Salina earned the #13 position for value in cosmetology this year. Hays Academy Of Hair Design Salina is a small private for-profit school located in the town of Salina. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $9,833 in student loans. Cosmetology graduates of Hays Academy Of Hair Design Salina earn a median of $17,620 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,833 median debt.
Kansas City Kansas Community College earned the #14 position for value in cosmetology this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, Kansas City Kansas Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,996 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,482. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $8,235. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $21,091. That is a strong return on a $8,235 median debt.
Hays Academy Of Hair Design Hays landed the #15 spot for cosmetology value this year. Located in the town of Hays, Hays Academy Of Hair Design Hays is a small private for-profit university. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $9,833 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Hays Academy Of Hair Design Hays generally make around $17,620. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Paul Mitchell The School Wichita placed #16 among the best values for cosmetology. Paul Mitchell The School Wichita is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Wichita. Students borrow a median of $12,583 to complete the cosmetology program here. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $17,049. Set against $12,583 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Old Town Barber College Wichita came in at #17 for value in cosmetology this year. Old Town Barber College Wichita is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Wichita. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $14,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Old Town Barber College Wichita generally make around $10,703. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Paul Mitchell The School Overland Park came in at #18 for value in cosmetology this year. Paul Mitchell The School Overland Park is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Overland Park. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $13,341. Cosmetology graduates of Paul Mitchell The School Overland Park earn a median of $22,440 early in their careers.
Z Hair Academy landed the #19 spot for cosmetology value this year. Set in the city of Overland Park, Z Hair Academy is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $15,333 to complete the cosmetology program here. Cosmetology graduates of Z Hair Academy earn a median of $21,750 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Crave Beauty Academy came in at #20 for value in cosmetology this year. Crave Beauty Academy is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Wichita. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $10,667 in student loans. Cosmetology graduates of Crave Beauty Academy earn a median of $21,067 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bellus Academy landed the #21 spot for cosmetology value this year. Set in the city of Manhattan, Bellus Academy is a small private for-profit institution. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $9,833 in student loans. Cosmetology graduates of Bellus Academy earn a median of $17,745 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,833 median debt.
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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.