2026 Best Value Cosmetology, Barber/Styling, & Nail Instructor Schools

1

South Georgia Technical College
Americus, GA

Leading the list is South Georgia Technical College, our #1 best value for cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor in the United States. South Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Americus. Students from in state pay about $3,992 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,202. Typical student debt for cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor graduates is $10,423. Cosmetology, Barber/styling, & Nail Instructor graduates of South Georgia Technical College earn a median of $40,497 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,423 median debt.

2

Lake Land College
Mattoon, IL

A rank of #2 makes Lake Land College one of the best values for cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor. Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mattoon. Students from in state pay about $4,415 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,301. Typical student debt for cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor graduates is $7,769. Cosmetology, Barber/styling, & Nail Instructor graduates of Lake Land College earn a median of $13,714 early in their careers. Set against $7,769 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Fayetteville Technical Community College
Fayetteville, NC

A rank of #3 makes Fayetteville Technical Community College one of the best values for cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,628, with out-of-state students paying around $8,772. Typical student debt for cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor degree recipients from Fayetteville Technical Community College generally make around $40,584. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

Central Piedmont Community College
Charlotte, NC

Central Piedmont Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,792 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Students borrow a median of $11,861 to complete the cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor program here. Soon after graduation, cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $40,629. Set against $11,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins
Warner Robins, GA

A rank of #5 makes Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins one of the best values for cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor. Set in the city of Warner Robins, Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,448, with out-of-state students paying around $6,016. Typical student debt for cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor graduates is $7,217. Early-career cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor graduates make about $39,765. Set against $7,217 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

College Of The Mainland
Texas City, TX

College Of The Mainland landed the #6 spot for cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor value this year. College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Texas City. Students from in state pay about $2,310 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,140. Typical student debt for cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor graduates is $5,711. Early-career cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor graduates make about $18,495. Set against $5,711 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Central Carolina Community College
Sanford, NC

Central Carolina Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor schools. Located in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,711, while out-of-state students pay about $8,855. Typical student debt for cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor graduates is $12,167. Soon after graduation, cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor degree recipients from Central Carolina Community College generally make around $38,198. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Columbus Technical College
Columbus, GA

Columbus Technical College landed the #8 spot for cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor value this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,052, with out-of-state students paying around $7,262. Students borrow a median of $15,845 to complete the cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor program here. Early-career cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor graduates make about $37,936. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Lee College
Baytown, TX

Lee College placed #9 among the best values for cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor. Located in the city of Baytown, Lee College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,520, compared with $5,045 for out-of-state students. Cosmetology, Barber/styling, & Nail Instructor graduates carry a median of $10,941 in student loans. Early-career cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor graduates make about $14,727. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

East Central Community College
Decatur, MS

East Central Community College earned the #10 position for value in cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor this year. Located in the rural area of Decatur, East Central Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,990, with out-of-state students paying around $6,090. Cosmetology, Barber/styling, & Nail Instructor graduates carry a median of $6,382 in student loans. Cosmetology, Barber/styling, & Nail Instructor graduates of East Central Community College earn a median of $32,981 early in their careers. Set against $6,382 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

11

Mclennan Community College
Waco, TX

Mclennan Community College placed #11 among the best values for cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor. Mclennan Community College is a large public school located in the city of Waco. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $5,910. Cosmetology, Barber/styling, & Nail Instructor graduates carry a median of $5,776 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor degree recipients from Mclennan Community College generally make around $40,499. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

Albany Technical College
Albany, GA

Albany Technical College came in at #12 for value in cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor this year. Set in the city of Albany, Albany Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,364, with out-of-state students paying around $5,932. Typical student debt for cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor graduates is $16,321. Soon after graduation, cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor degree recipients from Albany Technical College generally make around $35,895. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13

Hutchinson Community College
Hutchinson, KS

Hutchinson Community College earned the #13 position for value in cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor this year. Located in the town of Hutchinson, Hutchinson Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,540, while out-of-state students pay about $4,770. Students borrow a median of $18,148 to complete the cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor program here. Soon after graduation, cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor degree recipients from Hutchinson Community College generally make around $42,285. That is a strong return on a $18,148 median debt.

14

Grayson College
Denison, TX

Grayson College placed #14 among the best values for cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor. Set in the rural area of Denison, Grayson College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,000, while out-of-state students pay about $6,300. Cosmetology, Barber/styling, & Nail Instructor graduates carry a median of $11,627 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor degree recipients from Grayson College generally make around $42,487. That is a strong return on a $11,627 median debt.

15

Rowan Cabarrus Community College
Salisbury, NC

Rowan Cabarrus Community College came in at #15 for value in cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor this year. Set in the suburb of Salisbury, Rowan Cabarrus Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,064 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,672. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor program here. Early-career cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor graduates make about $22,578. That is a strong return on a $16,500 median debt.

16

San Jacinto Community College
Pasadena, TX

San Jacinto Community College came in at #16 for value in cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, San Jacinto Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,490, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,791 to complete the cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor program here. Early-career cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor graduates make about $38,107. Set against $8,791 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

Gateway Technical College
Kenosha, WI

Gateway Technical College landed the #17 spot for cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor value this year. Gateway Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Kenosha. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,956, compared with $7,199 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,958 to complete the cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor program here. Cosmetology, Barber/styling, & Nail Instructor graduates of Gateway Technical College earn a median of $42,410 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,958 median debt.

18

Northwest Mississippi Community College
Senatobia, MS

Northwest Mississippi Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor schools. Located in the town of Senatobia, Northwest Mississippi Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,740. Cosmetology, Barber/styling, & Nail Instructor graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor degree recipients from Northwest Mississippi Community College generally make around $17,660. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19

Atlanta Technical College
Atlanta, GA

Atlanta Technical College came in at #19 for value in cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Atlanta Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,382, compared with $5,950 for out-of-state students. Cosmetology, Barber/styling, & Nail Instructor graduates carry a median of $16,324 in student loans. Early-career cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor graduates make about $17,157. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20

San Juan College
Farmington, NM

San Juan College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor schools. Located in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,910, while out-of-state students pay about $5,393. Students borrow a median of $16,150 to complete the cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor program here. Soon after graduation, cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor degree recipients from San Juan College generally make around $41,697. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

21

Copiah Lincoln Community College
Wesson, MS

Copiah Lincoln Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor schools. Set in the rural area of Wesson, Copiah Lincoln Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,200, with out-of-state students paying around $5,200. Median earnings reach $31,241 ten years out.

22

Sampson Community College
Clinton, NC

Sampson Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor schools. Sampson Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Clinton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,877, while out-of-state students pay about $9,789. Students borrow a median of $12,596 to complete the cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor program here. Early-career cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor graduates make about $45,929. Set against $12,596 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

23

Southern Arkansas University Tech
Camden, AR

Southern Arkansas University Tech placed #23 among the best values for cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor. Southern Arkansas University Tech is a small public school located in the rural area of Camden. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $6,480. Cosmetology, Barber/styling, & Nail Instructor graduates carry a median of $8,488 in student loans. Early-career cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor graduates make about $34,302. That is a strong return on a $8,488 median debt.

24

Hinds Community College
Raymond, MS

Hinds Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor schools. Located in the rural area of Raymond, Hinds Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,250, with out-of-state students paying around $7,300. Cosmetology, Barber/styling, & Nail Instructor graduates carry a median of $9,781 in student loans. Early-career cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor graduates make about $34,003. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

25

Howard College
Big Spring, TX

Howard College landed the #25 spot for cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor value this year. Set in the town of Big Spring, Howard College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,766, while out-of-state students pay about $6,716. Students borrow a median of $14,242 to complete the cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor program here. Cosmetology, Barber/styling, & Nail Instructor graduates of Howard College earn a median of $41,039 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,242 median debt.