2026 Best Value Cosmetology, Barber/Styling, & Nail Instructor Schools in Texas
[Cosmetology, Barber/Styling, & Nail Instructor](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/cosmetology/cosmetology-barber-styling-and-nail-instructor/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 28 schools to find the best return on investment for cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Cosmetology, Barber/Styling, & Nail Instructor Schools in Texas
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Cosmetology, Barber/Styling, & Nail Instructor Schools
Leading the list is College Of The Mainland, our #1 best value for cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor in Texas. Set in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,310, compared with $4,140 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $5,711 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Mclennan Community College one of the best values for cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor. Located in the city of Waco, Mclennan Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $5,910. Typical student debt for cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor graduates is $5,776. Early-career cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor graduates make about $40,499. That is a strong return on a $5,776 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Grayson College one of 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, compared with $6,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,627 to complete the cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor program here. Early-career cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor graduates make about $42,487. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lamar State College Port Arthur came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor schools. Set in the city of Port Arthur, Lamar State College Port Arthur is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,770 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,070. Cosmetology, Barber/styling, & Nail Instructor graduates carry a median of $33,385 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor degree recipients from Lamar State College Port Arthur generally make around $78,580. That is a strong return on a $33,385 median debt.
Vernon College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor, landing the #5 spot this year. Vernon College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Vernon. Students from in state pay about $3,720 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,120. Cosmetology, Barber/styling, & Nail Instructor graduates carry a median of $12,513 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor degree recipients from Vernon College generally make around $45,097. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lee College came in at #6 for value in cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor this year. Lee College is a large public school located in the city of Baytown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,520, compared with $5,045 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor graduates is $10,941. Soon after graduation, cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor degree recipients from Lee College generally make around $14,727. That is a strong return on a $10,941 median debt.
North Central Texas College earned the #7 position for value in cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor this year. Located in the town of Gainesville, North Central Texas College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,600 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,739. Cosmetology, Barber/styling, & Nail Instructor graduates carry a median of $6,812 in student loans. Early-career cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor graduates make about $43,536. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ranger College earned the #8 position for value in cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor this year. Ranger College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Ranger. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,766, compared with $9,066 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,749 to complete the cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor program here. Early-career cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor graduates make about $35,756. Set against $12,749 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hill College came in at #9 for value in cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor this year. Hill College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Hillsboro. In-state tuition and fees average $2,862. Typical student debt for cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor graduates is $12,302. Soon after graduation, cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor degree recipients from Hill College generally make around $39,212. Set against $12,302 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Houston Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor schools. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,040, while out-of-state students pay about $5,460. Cosmetology, Barber/styling, & Nail Instructor graduates carry a median of $23,061 in student loans. Early-career cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor graduates make about $40,365. That is a strong return on a $23,061 median debt.
San Jacinto Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor schools. Located in the city of Pasadena, San Jacinto Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,490, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor graduates is $8,791. Early-career cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor graduates make about $38,107. Set against $8,791 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Plains College landed the #12 spot for cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor value this year. South Plains College is a large public school located in the town of Levelland. Students from in state pay about $2,733 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,157. Cosmetology, Barber/styling, & Nail Instructor graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor graduates make about $11,557. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Howard College earned the #13 position for value in cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor this year. Set in the town of Big Spring, Howard College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,766 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,716 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,242 to complete the cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor program here. Soon after graduation, cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor degree recipients from Howard College generally make around $41,039. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwest Texas Junior College came in at #14 for value in cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor this year. Set in the town of Uvalde, Southwest Texas Junior College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,646, compared with $6,294 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,157 to complete the cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor program here. Cosmetology, Barber/styling, & Nail Instructor graduates of Southwest Texas Junior College earn a median of $25,528 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Odessa College earned the #15 position for value in cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor this year. Odessa College is a large public school located in the city of Odessa. Students from in state pay about $2,688 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,926. Typical student debt for cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor graduates is $9,087. Early-career cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor graduates make about $47,856. Set against $9,087 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cisco College landed the #16 spot for cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor value this year. Set in the rural area of Cisco, Cisco College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,710, while out-of-state students pay about $7,140. Typical student debt for cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor graduates is $10,875. Soon after graduation, cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor degree recipients from Cisco College generally make around $17,820. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Frank Phillips College came in at #17 for value in cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor this year. Frank Phillips College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Borger. In-state tuition and fees average $3,712, with out-of-state students paying around $4,882. Cosmetology, Barber/styling, & Nail Instructor graduates of Frank Phillips College earn a median of $18,041 early in their careers.
Navarro College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor schools. Navarro College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Corsicana. Students from in state pay about $3,008 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,578. Typical student debt for cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor graduates is $9,500. Soon after graduation, cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor degree recipients from Navarro College generally make around $38,210. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
International Beauty College landed the #19 spot for cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor value this year. International Beauty College is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Garland. Early-career cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor graduates make about $20,528.
Academy Of Hair Design Lufkin ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor schools. Set in the town of Lufkin, Academy Of Hair Design Lufkin is a small private for-profit institution. 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 $14,039. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tint School Of Makeup And Cosmetology Irving earned the #21 position for value in cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor this year. Located in the city of Irving, Tint School Of Makeup And Cosmetology Irving is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $7,698 to complete the cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor program here. Soon after graduation, cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor degree recipients from Tint School Of Makeup And Cosmetology Irving generally make around $23,225. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Houston Barber School landed the #22 spot for cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor value this year. Located in the suburb of Houston, Houston Barber School is a small private for-profit university.
Tint School Of Makeup And Cosmetology Dallas placed #23 among the best values for cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor. Located in the suburb of Grand Prairie, Tint School Of Makeup And Cosmetology Dallas is a small private for-profit university. Cosmetology, Barber/styling, & Nail Instructor graduates carry a median of $7,698 in student loans. Early-career cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor graduates make about $23,225. Set against $7,698 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Paul Mitchell The School San Antonio came in at #24 for value in cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, Paul Mitchell The School San Antonio is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $9,833 to complete the cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor program here. Early-career cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor graduates make about $20,500. That is a strong return on a $9,833 median debt.
Ga Beauty And Barber School ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor schools. Located in the city of McAllen, Ga Beauty And Barber School is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $5,953 to complete the cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor program here. Cosmetology, Barber/styling, & Nail Instructor graduates of Ga Beauty And Barber School earn a median of $13,238 early in their careers.
More Cosmetology, Barber/Styling, & Nail Instructor Rankings
View All Cosmetology, Barber/Styling, & Nail Instructor Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
