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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Schools in the Southeast Region

6 Colleges in the United States
$11,292 Avg Student Debt
$28,270 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Badge [General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/cosmetology/cosmetology-cosmetologist-general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 446 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general cosmetology/cosmetologist students.

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2026 Best Value General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Schools in the Southeast Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Schools

1

Leading the list is South Georgia Technical College, our #1 best value for general cosmetology/cosmetologist in the Southeast Region. Set in the town of Americus, South Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,992, compared with $7,202 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,423 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from South Georgia Technical College generally make around $20,501. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Pensacola State College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Set in the city of Pensacola, Pensacola State College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,361 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,463. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $5,500. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $23,911. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

Students looking for strong value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist will find it at Florida State College At Jacksonville, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,657, with out-of-state students paying around $9,631. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $13,577 in student loans. 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.

4

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general cosmetology/cosmetologist, landing the #4 spot this year. Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Valdosta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,480, compared with $6,048 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,864 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Wiregrass Georgia Technical College generally make around $19,659. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Fayetteville Technical Community College earned it the #5 place for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,628 in tuition and fees, 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. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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6

Central Piedmont Community College came in at #6 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $11,861. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $40,629 early in their careers. Set against $11,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Georgia Northwestern Technical College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Located in the city of Rome, Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,300 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,868. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $8,492. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Georgia Northwestern Technical College earn a median of $41,229 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,492 median debt.

8

Central Carolina Community College earned the #8 position for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,711, while out-of-state students pay about $8,855. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $12,167. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Central Carolina Community College earn a median of $24,101 early in their careers. Set against $12,167 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Southern Regional Technical College came in at #9 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the town of Thomasville, Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,007, with out-of-state students paying around $5,575. Students borrow a median of $9,086 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $15,168. Set against $9,086 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

Trident Technical College came in at #10 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,546, while out-of-state students pay about $8,620. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $18,116 in student loans. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $50,166. That is a strong return on a $18,116 median debt.

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11

Southern Crescent Technical College landed the #11 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist value this year. Located in the town of Griffin, Southern Crescent Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,516 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,084 for out-of-state students. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $17,619 in student loans. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $45,062. That is a strong return on a $17,619 median debt.

12

Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins placed #12 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins is a large public school located in the city of Warner Robins. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,448, with out-of-state students paying around $6,016. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $7,217. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins earn a median of $39,765 early in their careers. Set against $7,217 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

West Georgia Technical College came in at #13 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the rural area of Waco, West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,410, compared with $5,978 for out-of-state students. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $8,500 in student loans. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of West Georgia Technical College earn a median of $11,925 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,500 median debt.

14

Florida Gateway College placed #14 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Located in the town of Lake City, Florida Gateway College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,100, compared with $11,747 for out-of-state students. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $6,400 in student loans. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Florida Gateway College earn a median of $16,195 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,400 median debt.

15

Cleveland Community College came in at #15 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Shelby. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,602, while out-of-state students pay about $8,746. Students borrow a median of $7,131 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Cleveland Community College earn a median of $13,347 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,131 median debt.

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16

Coastal Pines Technical College came in at #16 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the town of Waycross, Coastal Pines Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,268, with out-of-state students paying around $5,836. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $5,812. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $39,090. Set against $5,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

Oconee Fall Line Technical College landed the #17 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist value this year. Set in the rural area of Sandersville, Oconee Fall Line Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,380 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,948. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $12,718. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Oconee Fall Line Technical College earn a median of $47,076 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,718 median debt.

18

Gadsden State Community College came in at #18 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Gadsden State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Gadsden. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,272, while out-of-state students pay about $7,368. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $9,312 in student loans. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $19,107. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19

George C Wallace State Community College Dothan placed #19 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. George C Wallace State Community College Dothan is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dothan. In-state tuition and fees average $4,980, compared with $8,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,942 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $19,828. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20

Ogeechee Technical College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Ogeechee Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Statesboro. Students from in state pay about $3,388 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,956. Students borrow a median of $11,894 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Ogeechee Technical College earn a median of $17,660 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,894 median debt.

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21

Northeast Alabama Community College earned the #21 position for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the rural area of Rainsville, Northeast Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $8,910. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $7,459 in student loans. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Northeast Alabama Community College earn a median of $35,119 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

22

Coahoma Community College placed #22 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Located in the rural area of Clarksdale, Coahoma Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,490. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $11,745. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Coahoma Community College earn a median of $13,154 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

23

Atlanta Technical College earned the #23 position for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Atlanta Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,382, with out-of-state students paying around $5,950. Students borrow a median of $16,324 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Atlanta Technical College earn a median of $17,157 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

24

Columbus Technical College came in at #24 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Columbus Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,052, compared with $7,262 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,845 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Columbus Technical College generally make around $19,094. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

25

Albany Technical College landed the #25 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist value this year. Located in the city of Albany, Albany Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,364, compared with $5,932 for out-of-state students. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $16,321 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Albany Technical College generally make around $35,895. Set against $16,321 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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:

26
Chipola College crest
Chipola College
Marianna, FL
27
28
29
30
31
32
Lanier Technical College crest
Lanier Technical College
Gainesville, GA
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
Daytona State College crest
Daytona State College
Daytona Beach, FL
43
44
45
Gaston College crest
Gaston College
Dallas, NC
46
47
48
49
50

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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 · 446 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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