by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/cosmetology/cosmetology-cosmetologist-general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general cosmetology/cosmetologist education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 22 schools to find the best return on investment for general cosmetology/cosmetologist students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Clover Park Technical College, our #1 best value for general cosmetology/cosmetologist in Washington. Located in the city of Lakewood, Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,634. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $11,000. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $19,389. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Spokane Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Set in the city of Spokane, Spokane Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,461 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,612. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $7,980. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Spokane Community College earn a median of $17,869 early in their careers. Set against $7,980 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Olympic College earned it the #3 place for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Set in the city of Bremerton, Olympic College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,472, while out-of-state students pay about $9,740. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $11,497. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $57,593. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Everett Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general cosmetology/cosmetologist, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Everett, Everett Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,032, with out-of-state students paying around $11,171. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $13,542 in student loans. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $47,441. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gene Juarez Academy Of Beauty Federal Way is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general cosmetology/cosmetologist, landing the #5 spot this year. Gene Juarez Academy Of Beauty Federal Way is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Federal Way. Students borrow a median of $10,555 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $23,084. That is a strong return on a $10,555 median debt.
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Evergreen Beauty And Barber College Everett came in at #6 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the city of Everett, Evergreen Beauty And Barber College Everett is a small private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $9,164. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Evergreen Beauty And Barber College Everett generally make around $23,420. That is a strong return on a $9,164 median debt.
Stylemaster College Of Hair Design ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Located in the city of Longview, Stylemaster College Of Hair Design is a small private for-profit university. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $11,048. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $18,413. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Aveda Institute Portland Vancouver Campus came in at #8 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Aveda Institute Portland Vancouver Campus is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Vancouver. Students borrow a median of $10,556 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Aveda Institute Portland Vancouver Campus generally make around $21,907. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Toni And Guy Hairdressing Academy Shoreline earned the #9 position for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the suburb of Shoreline, Toni And Guy Hairdressing Academy Shoreline is a small private for-profit university. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $12,344 in student loans. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $25,497. Set against $12,344 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Elite Cosmetology Barber And Spa Academy came in at #10 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Elite Cosmetology Barber And Spa Academy is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Yakima. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $9,510 in student loans.
Victorias Academy Of Cosmetology landed the #11 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist value this year. Victorias Academy Of Cosmetology is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Kennewick. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $9,500. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Victorias Academy Of Cosmetology earn a median of $19,806 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Studio Beauty School placed #12 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Set in the city of Spokane Valley, Studio Beauty School is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $7,917 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Studio Beauty School earn a median of $17,110 early in their careers.
Paul Mitchell The School Spokane came in at #13 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the city of Spokane Valley, Paul Mitchell The School Spokane is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $10,556 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $24,554. That is a strong return on a $10,556 median debt.
Summit Salon Academy Tacoma landed the #14 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist value this year. Summit Salon Academy Tacoma is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Tacoma. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $10,000. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Summit Salon Academy Tacoma generally make around $22,595. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt.
Paul Mitchell The School Richland placed #15 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Located in the city of Richland, Paul Mitchell The School Richland is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $10,556 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Paul Mitchell The School Richland generally make around $20,689. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gary Manuel Aveda Institute earned the #16 position for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Gary Manuel Aveda Institute is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Seattle. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $10,111 in student loans. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $21,785. That is a strong return on a $10,111 median debt.
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 · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.