2026 Best Value General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Schools in the Southwest Region
[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.
College Factual analyzed 217 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools.
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2026 Best Value General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Schools in the Southwest Region
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
College Of The Mainland tops our 2026 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools in the Southwest Region. 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. Students borrow a median of $5,711 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $18,495. That is a strong return on a $5,711 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Central New Mexico Community College one of the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. 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, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $16,496. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist will find it at Wharton County Junior College, which ranked #3. Wharton County Junior College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Wharton. In-state tuition and fees average $3,192, with out-of-state students paying around $5,904. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Wharton County Junior College generally make around $19,087. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist will find it at Grayson College, which ranked #4. Set in the rural area of Denison, Grayson College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,000, while out-of-state students pay about $6,300. Students borrow a median of $11,627 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $18,598. That is a strong return on a $11,627 median debt.
Lamar State College Orange is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general cosmetology/cosmetologist, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Orange, Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,832 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,824. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $18,506. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Lamar State College Orange earn a median of $45,299 early in their careers. Set against $18,506 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mclennan Community College landed the #6 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist value this year. Set in the city of Waco, Mclennan Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, compared with $5,910 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $5,776. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Mclennan Community College earn a median of $16,879 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,776 median debt.
Clovis Community College came in at #7 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Clovis Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Clovis. In-state tuition and fees average $1,592, compared with $3,344 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $11,082. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Clovis Community College earn a median of $44,390 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Trinity Valley Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Set in the town of Athens, Trinity Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,640 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,970 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Trinity Valley Community College generally make around $11,544. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lee College landed the #9 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist value this year. Located in the city of Baytown, Lee College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,520 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,045 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $10,941. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Lee College earn a median of $14,727 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Paso Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $8,542 in student loans. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $29,086 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Palo Alto College placed #11 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Set in the city of San Antonio, Palo Alto College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,412 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $9,430 in student loans. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $29,062. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Juan College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. San Juan College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Farmington. In-state tuition and fees average $1,910, while out-of-state students pay about $5,393. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $16,150. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of San Juan College earn a median of $41,697 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Texas College placed #13 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $6,868. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $30,227. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Midland College placed #14 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Midland College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Midland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,180, compared with $6,180 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $9,000. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Midland College generally make around $43,454. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt.
Gateway Community College Central City placed #15 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Located in the city of Phoenix, Gateway Community College Central City is a small public university. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $15,037. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Gateway Community College Central City earn a median of $45,781 early in their careers. Set against $15,037 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Del Mar College landed the #16 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist value this year. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,500, compared with $6,050 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $7,476. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Del Mar College earn a median of $13,099 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,476 median debt.
Texarkana College placed #17 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Texarkana College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Texarkana. Students from in state pay about $2,476 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,332 for out-of-state students. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $5,450 in student loans. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $33,707. Set against $5,450 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lamar State College Port Arthur came in at #18 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the city of Port Arthur, Lamar State College Port Arthur is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,770, with out-of-state students paying around $8,070. Students borrow a median of $33,385 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Lamar State College Port Arthur earn a median of $78,580 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $33,385 median debt.
San Jacinto Community College earned the #19 position for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, San Jacinto Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,490, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,791 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of San Jacinto Community College earn a median of $15,655 early in their careers. Set against $8,791 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Coastal Bend College came in at #20 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the town of Beeville, Coastal Bend College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,916, compared with $5,226 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $14,609. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $35,086. That is a strong return on a $14,609 median debt.
Vernon College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Vernon College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Vernon. In-state tuition and fees average $3,720, while out-of-state students pay about $6,120. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $12,513 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Vernon College generally make around $45,097. Set against $12,513 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus earned the #22 position for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the town of Gallup, University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,906 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,682. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $10,986 in student loans. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus earn a median of $35,132 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kilgore College landed the #23 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist value this year. Set in the town of Kilgore, Kilgore College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,160, compared with $5,256 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Kilgore College generally make around $15,957. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Central Texas College came in at #24 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. North Central Texas College is a large public school located in the town of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $3,600, compared with $5,739 for out-of-state students. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $6,812 in student loans. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $10,963. Set against $6,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Howard College placed #25 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Located in the town of Big Spring, Howard College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,766, while out-of-state students pay about $6,716. Students borrow a median of $14,242 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Howard College earn a median of $13,529 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 217 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
