DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/cosmetology/cosmetology-cosmetologist-general/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/cosmetology/cosmetology-cosmetologist-general/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/cosmetology/cosmetology-cosmetologist-general/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/cosmetology/cosmetology-cosmetologist-general/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/cosmetology/cosmetology-cosmetologist-general/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/cosmetology/cosmetology-cosmetologist-general/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/cosmetology/cosmetology-cosmetologist-general/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: No offers_data.offers found, showing generic ESYOH widget
2026 Best Value General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Schools
Leading the list is Central Piedmont Community College, our #1 best value for general cosmetology/cosmetologist in the United States. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Students from in state pay about $2,792 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $11,861 in student loans. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $40,629. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Golden West College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Located in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,380, while out-of-state students pay about $11,628. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $82,984. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist will find it at Central New Mexico Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,060, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $10,112. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $16,496 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.
Clover Park Technical College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Lakewood. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,634. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $11,000. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Clover Park Technical College earn a median of $19,389 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Eastern Wyoming College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Located in the town of Torrington, Eastern Wyoming College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $4,290 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,690 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Eastern Wyoming College earn a median of $24,995 early in their careers. Set against $7,690 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
ADBLOCK #101
Central Carolina Community College placed #6 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Set in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,711, compared with $8,855 for out-of-state students. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $12,167 in student loans. 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.
Santa Monica College placed #7 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
Fayetteville Technical Community College landed the #8 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist value this year. Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,628, compared with $8,772 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Fayetteville Technical Community College generally make around $40,584. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Citrus College placed #9 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Located in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,204, while out-of-state students pay about $10,636. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,065 ten years after entry.
Cerritos College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $13,133 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sacramento City College earned the #11 position for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Students borrow a median of $13,180 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Sacramento City College earn a median of $18,184 early in their careers. Set against $13,180 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast Alabama Community College placed #12 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Northeast Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Rainsville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $8,910. Students borrow a median of $7,459 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Northeast Alabama Community College earn a median of $35,119 early in their careers. Set against $7,459 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gadsden State Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Located in the city of Gadsden, Gadsden State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,272, compared with $7,368 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,312 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $34,710. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Spokane Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Located in the city of Spokane, Spokane Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,461 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,612. Students borrow a median of $7,980 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Spokane Community College earn a median of $17,869 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Butte College came in at #15 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the rural area of Oroville, Butte College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,356, compared with $9,276 for out-of-state students. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $13,302 in student loans. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $67,048. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Dupage ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, compared with $12,750 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,492 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $43,025. Set against $12,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hutchinson Community College came in at #17 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the town of Hutchinson, Hutchinson Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,540 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,770. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $18,148 in student loans. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $17,437. That is a strong return on a $18,148 median debt.
Wake Technical Community College earned the #18 position for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the suburb of Raleigh, Wake Technical Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,254, while out-of-state students pay about $6,862. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $7,693. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Wake Technical Community College generally make around $23,286. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Riverside City College placed #19 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Set in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,736 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Riverside City College generally make around $13,431. That is a strong return on a $7,736 median debt.
Sampson Community College landed the #20 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist value this year. Sampson Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Clinton. In-state tuition and fees average $2,877, compared with $9,789 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,596 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Sampson Community College earn a median of $45,929 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,596 median debt.
El Camino Community College District placed #21 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. El Camino Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of Torrance. Students from in state pay about $1,144 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,630 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,589.
Palo Alto College earned the #22 position for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, Palo Alto College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,430 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Palo Alto College earn a median of $29,062 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,430 median debt.
San Juan College landed the #23 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist value this year. San Juan College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Farmington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,910, compared with $5,393 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,150 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of San Juan College earn a median of $41,697 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,150 median debt.
Lenoir Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Lenoir Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kinston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,578, while out-of-state students pay about $8,822. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $9,984. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $14,172. Set against $9,984 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rowan Cabarrus Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Located in the suburb of Salisbury, Rowan Cabarrus Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,064 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,672 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $22,578. That is a strong return on a $16,500 median debt.
Rest of the Top 42 Best Value General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year:
Other General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Degree Levels
Explore the best-value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools at other degree levels:
[General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/cosmetology/cosmetology-cosmetologist-general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general cosmetology/cosmetologist education at a price that pays off.
