2026 Best Value General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Schools in New Mexico
[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 15 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 New Mexico
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Schools
Central New Mexico Community College earned the #1 spot for value among general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools in New Mexico. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $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.
Students looking for strong value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist will find it at Clovis Community College, which ranked #2. Clovis Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Clovis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,592, compared with $3,344 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $11,082. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Clovis Community College generally make around $44,390. That is a strong return on a $11,082 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes San Juan College one of the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. 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. Students borrow a median of $16,150 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from San Juan College generally make around $41,697. That is a strong return on a $16,150 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist will find it at University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Gallup, University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,906, with out-of-state students paying around $5,682. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $10,986. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus earn a median of $35,132 early in their careers. Set against $10,986 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist will find it at New Mexico Junior College, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Hobbs, New Mexico Junior College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,440, compared with $2,280 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $9,986. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from New Mexico Junior College generally make around $50,220. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Luna Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Set in the rural area of Las Vegas, Luna Community College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,474 in tuition and fees, compared with $3,418 for out-of-state students. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Luna Community College earn a median of $32,091 early in their careers.
Glitz School Of Cosmetology placed #7 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Located in the city of Las Cruces, Glitz School Of Cosmetology is a small private for-profit university. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $12,766. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $16,178.
Toni And Guy Hairdressing Academy Albuquerque landed the #8 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist value this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Toni And Guy Hairdressing Academy Albuquerque is a small private for-profit university. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Toni And Guy Hairdressing Academy Albuquerque generally make around $16,872. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Avenue Academy A Cosmetology Institute placed #9 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Avenue Academy A Cosmetology Institute is a small private for-profit university. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $6,416 in student loans. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $16,841.
Aveda Institute New Mexico came in at #10 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Aveda Institute New Mexico is a small private for-profit institution. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $9,862 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Aveda Institute New Mexico generally make around $18,842.
Olympian Academy Of Cosmetology Alamogordo placed #11 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Olympian Academy Of Cosmetology Alamogordo is a small private for-profit school located in the city of LAS CRUCES. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $13,000. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Olympian Academy Of Cosmetology Alamogordo earn a median of $16,558 early in their careers. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Vogue College Of Cosmetology Santa Fe earned the #12 position for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the city of Santa Fe, Vogue College Of Cosmetology Santa Fe is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Vogue College Of Cosmetology Santa Fe generally make around $16,854.
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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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
