2026 Best Value General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Schools in Texas
[General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/cosmetology/cosmetology-cosmetologist-general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 137 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Schools in Texas
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Schools
Our analysis ranked College Of The Mainland the best value for a degree in general cosmetology/cosmetologist in Texas. College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Texas City. In-state tuition and fees average $2,310, with out-of-state students paying around $4,140. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $5,711. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $18,495. 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 #2. Located in the town of Wharton, Wharton County Junior College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,192 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,904 for out-of-state students. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. 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 Mclennan Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Waco, Mclennan Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $5,910. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $5,776. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Mclennan Community College generally make around $16,879. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grayson College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Located in the rural area of Denison, Grayson College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,000, compared with $6,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,627 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Grayson College generally make around $18,598. Set against $11,627 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lamar State College Orange came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Located in the town of Orange, Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,832 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,824. Students borrow a median of $18,506 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Lamar State College Orange earn a median of $45,299 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,506 median debt.
Lee College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Set in the city of Baytown, Lee College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,520, with out-of-state students paying around $5,045. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $10,941 in student loans. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $14,727. That is a strong return on a $10,941 median debt.
Midland College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Set in the city of Midland, Midland College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,180, compared with $6,180 for out-of-state students. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $43,454. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Trinity Valley Community College landed the #8 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist value this year. Set in the town of Athens, Trinity Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,640, compared with $5,970 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 Trinity Valley Community College generally make around $11,544. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
El Paso Community College earned the #9 position for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,274, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. 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 earned the #10 position for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, Palo Alto College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,412, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Students borrow a median of $9,430 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $29,062. That is a strong return on a $9,430 median debt.
South Texas College placed #11 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $6,868. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $30,227. Set against $6,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texarkana College landed the #12 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist value this year. Located in the city of Texarkana, Texarkana College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,476, while out-of-state students pay about $5,332. Students borrow a median of $5,450 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Texarkana College earn a median of $33,707 early in their careers. Set against $5,450 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Del Mar College placed #13 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Del Mar College is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,500, compared with $6,050 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,476 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Del Mar College generally make around $13,099. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lamar State College Port Arthur ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Located in the city of Port Arthur, Lamar State College Port Arthur is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,770, while out-of-state students pay about $8,070. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $33,385 in student loans. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Lamar State College Port Arthur earn a median of $78,580 early in their careers. Set against $33,385 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Jacinto Community College came in at #15 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, San Jacinto Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,490, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $8,791 in student loans. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $15,655. Set against $8,791 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Vernon College earned the #16 position for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the town of Vernon, Vernon College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,720, with out-of-state students paying around $6,120. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $12,513 in student loans. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $45,097. That is a strong return on a $12,513 median debt.
Coastal Bend College came in at #17 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the town of Beeville, Coastal Bend College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,916 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,226. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $14,609. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $35,086. Set against $14,609 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kilgore College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Located in the town of Kilgore, Kilgore College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $15,957. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
North Central Texas College landed the #19 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist value this year. Located in the town of Gainesville, North Central Texas College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,600, while out-of-state students pay about $5,739. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $6,812. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of North Central Texas College earn a median of $10,963 early in their careers. Set against $6,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lone Star College System ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Lone Star College System is a very large public school located in the city of The Woodlands. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,664, while out-of-state students pay about $7,512. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $5,500. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Lone Star College System earn a median of $18,887 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Howard College came in at #21 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Howard College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Big Spring. Students from in state pay about $2,766 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,716. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $14,242. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Howard College earn a median of $13,529 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,242 median debt.
Laredo Community College landed the #22 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist value this year. Laredo Community College is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. Students from in state pay about $3,300 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,748. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Laredo Community College generally make around $41,354. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Plains College placed #23 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Set in the town of Levelland, South Plains College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,733 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,157 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $11,557. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Houston Community College placed #24 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Houston Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $2,040 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,460. Students borrow a median of $23,061 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $16,075. That is a strong return on a $23,061 median debt.
Lamar Institute Of Technology came in at #25 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,844, compared with $12,924 for out-of-state students. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $14,278 in student loans. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $50,068. That is a strong return on a $14,278 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year:
More General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Rankings
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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 · 137 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
