2026 Best Value General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Schools in North Carolina
[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 64 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general cosmetology/cosmetologist students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Schools in North Carolina
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
Central Piedmont Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools in North Carolina. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,792, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. 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. That is a strong return on a $11,861 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist will find it at Fayetteville Technical Community College, which ranked #2. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $8,772. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $40,584. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Central Carolina Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general cosmetology/cosmetologist, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Central Carolina Community College generally make around $24,101. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Cleveland Community College one of the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Located in the town of Shelby, Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,602 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,746 for out-of-state students. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $7,131 in student loans. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Cleveland Community College earn a median of $13,347 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sampson Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general cosmetology/cosmetologist, landing the #5 spot 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, with out-of-state students paying around $9,789. Students borrow a median of $12,596 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Sampson Community College generally make around $45,929. Set against $12,596 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Stanly Community College placed #6 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Set in the town of Albemarle, Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,672 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,816. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $41,920.
Johnston Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Located in the town of Smithfield, Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,756, compared with $8,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $9,490. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $37,472. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Martin Community College placed #8 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Martin Community College is a small public school located in the town of Williamston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,523, while out-of-state students pay about $8,667. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Martin Community College generally make around $42,820.
James Sprunt Community College earned the #9 position for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. James Sprunt Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Kenansville. In-state tuition and fees average $2,592, compared with $8,736 for out-of-state students. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $11,278 in student loans. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of James Sprunt Community College earn a median of $35,264 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,278 median debt.
Nash Community College came in at #10 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Nash Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Rocky Mount. In-state tuition and fees average $2,866, compared with $8,866 for out-of-state students. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $16,969 in student loans. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Nash Community College earn a median of $45,512 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,969 median debt.
Rowan Cabarrus Community College landed the #11 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist value this year. Located in the suburb of Salisbury, Rowan Cabarrus Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,064, compared with $6,672 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $16,500. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $22,578. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Craven Community College placed #12 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Set in the town of New Bern, Craven Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,022 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,630 for out-of-state students. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $8,924 in student loans. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $7,388. That is a strong return on a $8,924 median debt.
Vance Granville Community College placed #13 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Vance Granville Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Henderson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,944, compared with $6,552 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $14,833. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Vance Granville Community College generally make around $43,272. Set against $14,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lenoir Community College placed #14 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Set in the town of Kinston, Lenoir Community College is a mid-sized public institution. 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. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Lenoir Community College generally make around $14,172. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Surry Community College landed the #15 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist value this year. Set in the rural area of Dobson, Surry Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,668, with out-of-state students paying around $8,812. Students borrow a median of $9,537 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Surry Community College generally make around $47,188. Set against $9,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cape Fear Community College earned the #16 position for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Cape Fear Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Wilmington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,748, compared with $8,892 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,388 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Cape Fear Community College generally make around $42,889. That is a strong return on a $12,388 median debt.
College Of The Albemarle landed the #17 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist value this year. Set in the town of Elizabeth City, College Of The Albemarle is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,242 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,652 for out-of-state students. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $10,240 in student loans. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of College Of The Albemarle earn a median of $50,506 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,240 median debt.
Southwestern Community College Sylva placed #18 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Southwestern Community College Sylva is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Sylva. In-state tuition and fees average $4,112, while out-of-state students pay about $13,184. Students borrow a median of $13,708 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Southwestern Community College Sylva generally make around $14,354. Set against $13,708 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Beaufort County Community College landed the #19 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist value this year. Set in the rural area of Washington, Beaufort County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,540 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $7,947. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $38,009. Set against $7,947 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Robeson Community College placed #20 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Set in the town of Lumberton, Robeson Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,604, compared with $8,748 for out-of-state students. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $9,949 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Robeson Community College generally make around $52,951. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Leons Beauty School Inc earned the #21 position for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, Leons Beauty School Inc is a small private for-profit university. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Leons Beauty School Inc earn a median of $17,247 early in their careers.
Gaston College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Gaston College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,186 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,330. Students borrow a median of $10,915 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $27,008. Set against $10,915 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mitchell Community College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Mitchell Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Statesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,651, compared with $8,795 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,313 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Mitchell Community College generally make around $40,450. Set against $6,313 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Piedmont Community College earned the #24 position for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the city of Morganton, Western Piedmont Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,650, compared with $8,794 for out-of-state students. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $11,999 in student loans. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $46,883. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wake Technical Community College earned the #25 position for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Wake Technical Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Raleigh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,254, while out-of-state students pay about $6,862. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $7,693 in student loans. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $23,286. That is a strong return on a $7,693 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:
More General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 64 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
