2026 Best Value Aesthetician/Esthetician & Skin Care Specialist Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Aesthetician/Esthetician & Skin Care Specialist](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/cosmetology/aesthetician-esthetician-and-skin-care-specialist/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 61 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value aesthetician/esthetician & skin care specialist schools.
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2026 Best Value Aesthetician/Esthetician & Skin Care Specialist Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in aesthetician/esthetician & skin care specialist, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Aesthetician/Esthetician & Skin Care Specialist Schools
Ridgewater College tops our 2026 list of the best value aesthetician/esthetician & skin care specialist schools in the The Plains States Region. Located in the town of Willmar, Ridgewater College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,121. Aesthetician/esthetician & Skin Care Specialist graduates carry a median of $9,750 in student loans. Aesthetician/esthetician & Skin Care Specialist graduates of Ridgewater College earn a median of $21,574 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,750 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Riverland Community College one of the best values for aesthetician/esthetician & skin care specialist. Set in the town of Austin, Riverland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,297 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for aesthetician/esthetician & skin care specialist graduates is $15,732. Soon after graduation, aesthetician/esthetician & skin care specialist degree recipients from Riverland Community College generally make around $49,194. Set against $15,732 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Century College earned it the #3 place for aesthetician/esthetician & skin care specialist. Century College is a large public school located in the suburb of White Bear Lake. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,214. Students borrow a median of $21,332 to complete the aesthetician/esthetician & skin care specialist program here. Aesthetician/esthetician & Skin Care Specialist graduates of Century College earn a median of $47,502 early in their careers. Set against $21,332 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in aesthetician/esthetician & skin care specialist will find it at Minnesota State Community And Technical College, which ranked #4. Located in the rural area of Fergus Falls, Minnesota State Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,908. Aesthetician/esthetician & Skin Care Specialist graduates carry a median of $10,169 in student loans. Early-career aesthetician/esthetician & skin care specialist graduates make about $24,367. Set against $10,169 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value aesthetician/esthetician & skin care specialist schools. 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. Aesthetician/esthetician & Skin Care Specialist graduates carry a median of $14,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, aesthetician/esthetician & skin care specialist 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 placed #6 among the best values for aesthetician/esthetician & skin care specialist. Minnesota West Community And Technical College is a mid-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 aesthetician/esthetician & skin care specialist program here. Aesthetician/esthetician & Skin Care Specialist graduates of Minnesota West Community And Technical College earn a median of $17,767 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Johnson County Community College placed #7 among the best values for aesthetician/esthetician & skin care specialist. 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, compared with $5,688 for out-of-state students. Aesthetician/esthetician & Skin Care Specialist graduates carry a median of $5,424 in student loans. Aesthetician/esthetician & Skin Care Specialist graduates of Johnson County Community College earn a median of $21,250 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Iowa School Of Beauty Des Moines earned the #8 position for value in aesthetician/esthetician & skin care specialist this year. Set in the suburb of Des Moines, Iowa School Of Beauty Des Moines is a small private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for aesthetician/esthetician & skin care specialist graduates is $9,130. Aesthetician/esthetician & Skin Care Specialist graduates of Iowa School Of Beauty Des Moines earn a median of $20,355 early in their careers. Set against $9,130 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mitsu Sato Hair Academy landed the #9 spot for aesthetician/esthetician & skin care specialist value this year. Set in the city of Overland Park, Mitsu Sato Hair Academy is a small private for-profit institution. Aesthetician/esthetician & Skin Care Specialist graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Early-career aesthetician/esthetician & skin care specialist graduates make about $17,143.
La James College Of Hairstyling And Cosmetology ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value aesthetician/esthetician & skin care specialist schools. Set in the town of Mason City, La James College Of Hairstyling And Cosmetology is a small private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for aesthetician/esthetician & skin care specialist graduates is $8,582. Aesthetician/esthetician & Skin Care Specialist graduates of La James College Of Hairstyling And Cosmetology earn a median of $23,313 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Faust Institute Of Cosmetology Spirit Lake ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value aesthetician/esthetician & skin care specialist schools. Set in the town of Spirit Lake, Faust Institute Of Cosmetology Spirit Lake is a small private for-profit institution. Aesthetician/esthetician & Skin Care Specialist graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Early-career aesthetician/esthetician & skin care specialist graduates make about $20,098. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Capri College Davenport came in at #12 for value in aesthetician/esthetician & skin care specialist this year. Set in the city of Davenport, Capri College Davenport is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $11,019 to complete the aesthetician/esthetician & skin care specialist program here. Aesthetician/esthetician & Skin Care Specialist graduates of Capri College Davenport earn a median of $22,161 early in their careers. Set against $11,019 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Xenon International Academy Omaha earned the #13 position for value in aesthetician/esthetician & skin care specialist this year. Located in the city of Omaha, Xenon International Academy Omaha is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the aesthetician/esthetician & skin care specialist program here. Early-career aesthetician/esthetician & skin care specialist graduates make about $23,179. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City Pointe Beauty Academy came in at #14 for value in aesthetician/esthetician & skin care specialist this year. Set in the suburb of Webb City, City Pointe Beauty Academy is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $9,701 to complete the aesthetician/esthetician & skin care specialist program here. Soon after graduation, aesthetician/esthetician & skin care specialist degree recipients from City Pointe Beauty Academy generally make around $18,699.
Eric Fisher Academy placed #15 among the best values for aesthetician/esthetician & skin care specialist. Located in the city of Wichita, Eric Fisher Academy is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $9,339 to complete the aesthetician/esthetician & skin care specialist program here. Soon after graduation, aesthetician/esthetician & skin care specialist degree recipients from Eric Fisher Academy generally make around $20,465. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grabber School Of Hair Design ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value aesthetician/esthetician & skin care specialist schools. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Grabber School Of Hair Design is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $12,465 to complete the aesthetician/esthetician & skin care specialist program here. Aesthetician/esthetician & Skin Care Specialist graduates of Grabber School Of Hair Design earn a median of $22,626 early in their careers. Set against $12,465 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Capri College Cedar Rapids ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value aesthetician/esthetician & skin care specialist schools. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Capri College Cedar Rapids is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $11,681 to complete the aesthetician/esthetician & skin care specialist program here. Aesthetician/esthetician & Skin Care Specialist graduates of Capri College Cedar Rapids earn a median of $23,586 early in their careers. Set against $11,681 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The Salon Professional Academy St Charles came in at #18 for value in aesthetician/esthetician & skin care specialist this year. Located in the suburb of St. Charles, The Salon Professional Academy St Charles is a small private for-profit university. Aesthetician/esthetician & Skin Care Specialist graduates carry a median of $9,833 in student loans. Aesthetician/esthetician & Skin Care Specialist graduates of The Salon Professional Academy St Charles earn a median of $23,204 early in their careers. Set against $9,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Capitol School Of Hairstyling And Esthetics landed the #19 spot for aesthetician/esthetician & skin care specialist value this year. Located in the city of Omaha, Capitol School Of Hairstyling And Esthetics is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $9,166 to complete the aesthetician/esthetician & skin care specialist program here. Early-career aesthetician/esthetician & skin care specialist graduates make about $25,942. Set against $9,166 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Capri College Dubuque earned the #20 position for value in aesthetician/esthetician & skin care specialist this year. Set in the city of Dubuque, Capri College Dubuque is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the aesthetician/esthetician & skin care specialist program here. Early-career aesthetician/esthetician & skin care specialist graduates make about $19,651. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Minnesota State College Southeast Technical earned the #21 position for value in aesthetician/esthetician & skin care specialist this year. Minnesota State College Southeast Technical is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Winona. In-state tuition and fees average $6,432. Students borrow a median of $22,522 to complete the aesthetician/esthetician & skin care specialist program here. Aesthetician/esthetician & Skin Care Specialist graduates of Minnesota State College Southeast Technical earn a median of $50,290 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The Salon Professional Academy Fargo came in at #22 for value in aesthetician/esthetician & skin care specialist this year. The Salon Professional Academy Fargo is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Fargo. Typical student debt for aesthetician/esthetician & skin care specialist graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, aesthetician/esthetician & skin care specialist degree recipients from The Salon Professional Academy Fargo generally make around $29,330. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Josefs West Academy came in at #23 for value in aesthetician/esthetician & skin care specialist this year. Josefs West Academy is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Fargo. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the aesthetician/esthetician & skin care specialist program here. Early-career aesthetician/esthetician & skin care specialist graduates make about $28,331. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Aveda Institute Des Moines placed #24 among the best values for aesthetician/esthetician & skin care specialist. Aveda Institute Des Moines is a small private for-profit school located in the city of West Des Moines. Aesthetician/esthetician & Skin Care Specialist graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, aesthetician/esthetician & skin care specialist degree recipients from Aveda Institute Des Moines generally make around $27,081. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Josefs School Of Hair Design Inc Grand Forks ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value aesthetician/esthetician & skin care specialist schools. Josefs School Of Hair Design Inc Grand Forks is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Grand Forks. Aesthetician/esthetician & Skin Care Specialist graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, aesthetician/esthetician & skin care specialist degree recipients from Josefs School Of Hair Design Inc Grand Forks generally make around $28,331. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Aesthetician/Esthetician & Skin Care Specialist Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s aesthetician/esthetician & skin care specialist value ranking:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 61 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
