by our College Data Analytics Team
[Barbering/Barber](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/cosmetology/barbering-barber/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 161 schools to find the best return on investment for barbering/barber students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the barbering/barber degrees they offer, see the list below.
South Georgia Technical College earned the #1 spot for value among barbering/barber schools in the Southeast Region. Set in the town of Americus, South Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,992, compared with $7,202 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for barbering/barber graduates is $10,423. Early-career barbering/barber graduates make about $20,501. That is a strong return on a $10,423 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Pensacola State College one of the best values for barbering/barber. Pensacola State College is a large public school located in the city of Pensacola. In-state tuition and fees average $2,361, while out-of-state students pay about $9,463. Typical student debt for barbering/barber graduates is $5,500. Barbering/barber graduates of Pensacola State College earn a median of $23,911 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in barbering/barber, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Valdosta, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,480, while out-of-state students pay about $6,048. Students borrow a median of $10,864 to complete the barbering/barber program here. Barbering/barber graduates of Wiregrass Georgia Technical College earn a median of $19,659 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,864 median debt.
Central Carolina Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value barbering/barber schools. Set in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,711, while out-of-state students pay about $8,855. Typical student debt for barbering/barber graduates is $12,167. Soon after graduation, barbering/barber degree recipients from Central Carolina Community College generally make around $24,101. That is a strong return on a $12,167 median debt.
Southern Regional Technical College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value barbering/barber schools. Set in the town of Thomasville, Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,007, while out-of-state students pay about $5,575. Barbering/barber graduates carry a median of $9,086 in student loans. Early-career barbering/barber graduates make about $15,168. That is a strong return on a $9,086 median debt.
1
2
3
4
5
Southern Crescent Technical College came in at #6 for value in barbering/barber this year. Southern Crescent Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Griffin. Students from in state pay about $3,516 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,084. Barbering/barber graduates carry a median of $17,619 in student loans. Early-career barbering/barber graduates make about $45,062. That is a strong return on a $17,619 median debt.
Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins came in at #7 for value in barbering/barber this year. Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins is a large public school located in the city of Warner Robins. Students from in state pay about $3,448 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,016 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for barbering/barber graduates is $7,217. Soon after graduation, barbering/barber degree recipients from Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins generally make around $39,765. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indian River State College came in at #8 for value in barbering/barber this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,764, compared with $10,201 for out-of-state students. Barbering/barber graduates carry a median of $9,540 in student loans. Soon after graduation, barbering/barber degree recipients from Indian River State College generally make around $18,411. That is a strong return on a $9,540 median debt.
Columbus Technical College earned the #9 position for value in barbering/barber this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,052, with out-of-state students paying around $7,262. Barbering/barber graduates carry a median of $15,845 in student loans. Early-career barbering/barber graduates make about $19,094. That is a strong return on a $15,845 median debt.
Coahoma Community College placed #10 among the best values for barbering/barber. Set in the rural area of Clarksdale, Coahoma Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,490. Typical student debt for barbering/barber graduates is $11,745. Soon after graduation, barbering/barber degree recipients from Coahoma Community College generally make around $13,154. Set against $11,745 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Albany Technical College landed the #11 spot for barbering/barber value this year. Albany Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Albany. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,364, while out-of-state students pay about $5,932. Barbering/barber graduates carry a median of $16,321 in student loans. Soon after graduation, barbering/barber degree recipients from Albany Technical College generally make around $35,895. Set against $16,321 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Atlanta Technical College earned the #12 position for value in barbering/barber this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Atlanta Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,382 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,950 for out-of-state students. Barbering/barber graduates carry a median of $16,324 in student loans. Barbering/barber graduates of Atlanta Technical College earn a median of $17,157 early in their careers. Set against $16,324 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Daytona State College landed the #13 spot for barbering/barber value this year. Set in the city of Daytona Beach, Daytona State College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,106 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,994. Barbering/barber graduates carry a median of $5,807 in student loans. Early-career barbering/barber graduates make about $20,212. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Athens Technical College placed #14 among the best values for barbering/barber. Athens Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Athens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,390, with out-of-state students paying around $5,958. Barbering/barber graduates carry a median of $8,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, barbering/barber degree recipients from Athens Technical College generally make around $16,178. That is a strong return on a $8,000 median debt.
East Mississippi Community College earned the #15 position for value in barbering/barber this year. East Mississippi Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Scooba. In-state tuition and fees average $4,095, with out-of-state students paying around $7,445. Barbering/barber graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career barbering/barber graduates make about $12,128. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Hinds Community College earned the #16 position for value in barbering/barber this year. Hinds Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Raymond. Students from in state pay about $4,250 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,300. Barbering/barber graduates carry a median of $9,781 in student loans. Barbering/barber graduates of Hinds Community College earn a median of $17,704 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
New River Community And Technical College placed #17 among the best values for barbering/barber. New River Community And Technical College is a small public school located in the rural area of Beaver. Students from in state pay about $5,156 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,646. Students borrow a median of $7,310 to complete the barbering/barber program here. Barbering/barber graduates of New River Community And Technical College earn a median of $44,588 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,310 median debt.
Palm Beach State College placed #18 among the best values for barbering/barber. Set in the suburb of Lake Worth, Palm Beach State College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,050, while out-of-state students pay about $10,910. Barbering/barber graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, barbering/barber degree recipients from Palm Beach State College generally make around $42,501. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
J F Drake State Community And Technical College came in at #19 for value in barbering/barber this year. Located in the city of Huntsville, J F Drake State Community And Technical College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,190, with out-of-state students paying around $9,060. Median earnings reach $28,281 ten years out.
Pearl River Community College earned the #20 position for value in barbering/barber this year. Pearl River Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Poplarville. Students from in state pay about $3,700 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,100. Barbering/barber graduates carry a median of $13,482 in student loans. Early-career barbering/barber graduates make about $7,580. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bishop State Community College came in at #21 for value in barbering/barber this year. Set in the city of Mobile, Bishop State Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,340, compared with $9,210 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for barbering/barber graduates is $13,712. Soon after graduation, barbering/barber degree recipients from Bishop State Community College generally make around $35,475. That is a strong return on a $13,712 median debt.
Savannah Technical College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value barbering/barber schools. Set in the city of Savannah, Savannah Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,330 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,898. Typical student debt for barbering/barber graduates is $19,989. Soon after graduation, barbering/barber degree recipients from Savannah Technical College generally make around $19,242. Set against $19,989 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeastern Technical College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value barbering/barber schools. Southeastern Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Vidalia. In-state tuition and fees average $3,400, while out-of-state students pay about $5,968. Typical student debt for barbering/barber graduates is $10,290. Early-career barbering/barber graduates make about $38,284. That is a strong return on a $10,290 median debt.
Augusta Technical College earned the #24 position for value in barbering/barber this year. Set in the city of Augusta, Augusta Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,282, while out-of-state students pay about $7,492. Barbering/barber graduates carry a median of $11,400 in student loans. Early-career barbering/barber graduates make about $15,679. That is a strong return on a $11,400 median debt.
Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value barbering/barber schools. Set in the city of Birmingham, Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $8,910. Barbering/barber graduates carry a median of $11,769 in student loans. Soon after graduation, barbering/barber degree recipients from Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus generally make around $40,090. That is a strong return on a $11,769 median debt.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in barbering/barber:
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
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 · 161 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.