[General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/cosmetology/cosmetology-cosmetologist-general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 1415 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools.
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Finding the Best Value General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist School for You
Where you study general cosmetology/cosmetologist affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we developed our Best Value General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
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Our analysis ranked South Georgia Technical College the best value for a degree in general cosmetology/cosmetologist 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. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $10,423 in student loans. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of South Georgia Technical College earn a median of $20,501 early in their careers. Set against $10,423 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist will find it at Pensacola State College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Pensacola, Pensacola State College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,361 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,463. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Pensacola State College generally make around $23,911. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Skyline College earned it the #3 place for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Set in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.
Lake Land College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general cosmetology/cosmetologist, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,415, compared with $14,301 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $7,769. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $13,714. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida State College At Jacksonville came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,657 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,631. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $13,577. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $29,668. That is a strong return on a $13,577 median debt.
Golden West College landed the #6 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist value this year. Golden West College is a large public school located in the suburb of Huntington Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $1,380, compared with $11,628 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Golden West College generally make around $82,984. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fayetteville Technical Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,628, compared with $8,772 for out-of-state students. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Fayetteville Technical Community College generally make around $40,584. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College came in at #8 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Valdosta. Students from in state pay about $3,480 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,048. Students borrow a median of $10,864 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $19,659. Set against $10,864 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Piedmont Community College came in at #9 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. In-state tuition and fees average $2,792, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $11,861. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $40,629. Set against $11,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Clover Park Technical College earned the #10 position for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Lakewood. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,634. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Clover Park Technical College generally make around $19,389. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Southern Crescent Technical College came in at #11 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the town of Griffin, Southern Crescent Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,516, while out-of-state students pay about $6,084. Students borrow a median of $17,619 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Southern Crescent Technical College generally make around $45,062. Set against $17,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Mainland ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $4,140. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $5,711 in student loans. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $18,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of San Mateo ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,428. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Median earnings reach $54,172 ten years out. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College came in at #14 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rome. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,300, compared with $5,868 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,492 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $41,229. That is a strong return on a $8,492 median debt.
Central New Mexico Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $16,496. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.
Southern Regional Technical College placed #16 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Located in the town of Thomasville, Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,007, while out-of-state students pay about $5,575. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $9,086. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $15,168. That is a strong return on a $9,086 median debt.
Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Located in the city of Warner Robins, Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,448 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,016. Students borrow a median of $7,217 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $39,765. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Carolina Community College landed the #18 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist value this year. Located in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,711, while out-of-state students pay about $8,855. Students borrow a median of $12,167 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Central Carolina Community College earn a median of $24,101 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ogeechee Technical College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Located in the town of Statesboro, Ogeechee Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,388, with out-of-state students paying around $5,956. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $11,894 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Ogeechee Technical College generally make around $17,660. Set against $11,894 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Monica College came in at #20 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
Wharton County Junior College came in at #21 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the town of Wharton, Wharton County Junior College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,192 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,904. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Wharton County Junior College earn a median of $19,087 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Trident Technical College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Set in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,546 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,620 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $18,116. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $50,166. Set against $18,116 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Citrus College came in at #23 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,204 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,636. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,065.
Indian River State College came in at #24 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,764, while out-of-state students pay about $10,201. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $9,540 in student loans. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Indian River State College earn a median of $18,411 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sacramento City College came in at #25 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $13,180. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $18,184. That is a strong return on a $13,180 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general cosmetology/cosmetologist value ranking:
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General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Related Rankings by Major
General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 1415 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 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).
[General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/cosmetology/cosmetology-cosmetologist-general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
