2026 Best Value General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Schools in the The Plains States 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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 95 schools to find the best return on investment for general cosmetology/cosmetologist students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Schools in the The Plains States 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
For return on investment in general cosmetology/cosmetologist, no school beat Hutchinson Community College this year. Hutchinson Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Hutchinson. In-state tuition and fees average $3,540, while out-of-state students pay about $4,770. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $18,148 in student loans. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $17,437. That is a strong return on a $18,148 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Fort Scott Community College earned it the #2 place for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Located in the town of Fort Scott, Fort Scott Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,390, while out-of-state students pay about $3,840. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $20,691. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Garden City Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general cosmetology/cosmetologist, landing the #3 spot this year. Garden City Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Garden City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,690, compared with $4,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $18,724. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Riverland Community College earned it the #4 place for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Located in the town of Austin, Riverland Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,297. Students borrow a median of $15,732 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Riverland Community College generally make around $49,194. Set against $15,732 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Seward County Community College And Area Technical School is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general cosmetology/cosmetologist, landing the #5 spot this year. Seward County Community College And Area Technical School is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Liberal. In-state tuition and fees average $4,032, with out-of-state students paying around $5,408. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $9,175 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Seward County Community College And Area Technical School generally make around $53,375. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Dodge City Community College came in at #6 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the town of Dodge City, Dodge City Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,650 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,850. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $45,427.
Century College placed #7 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Century College is a large public school located in the suburb of White Bear Lake. Students from in state pay about $6,214 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,332 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Century College earn a median of $47,502 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,332 median debt.
Ridgewater College landed the #8 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist value this year. Ridgewater College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Willmar. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,121. Students borrow a median of $9,750 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $21,574. That is a strong return on a $9,750 median debt.
Minnesota State Community And Technical College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Located in the rural area of Fergus Falls, Minnesota State Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,908. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $10,169. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Minnesota State Community And Technical College generally make around $24,367. Set against $10,169 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cowley County Community College earned the #10 position for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Cowley County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Arkansas City. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,600. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $9,312. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $34,099. Set against $9,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College came in at #11 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,326. Students borrow a median of $14,250 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College earn a median of $32,987 early in their careers. Set against $14,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Minnesota West Community And Technical College came in at #12 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the rural area of Granite Falls, Minnesota West Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,491. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $8,730 in student loans. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Minnesota West Community And Technical College earn a median of $17,767 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,730 median debt.
Northwest Kansas Technical College landed the #13 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist value this year. Northwest Kansas Technical College is a small public school located in the town of Goodland. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Northwest Kansas Technical College earn a median of $41,638 early in their careers.
Johnson County Community College came in at #14 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the city of Overland Park, Johnson County Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,424 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,688. Students borrow a median of $5,424 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Johnson County Community College generally make around $21,250. That is a strong return on a $5,424 median debt.
Washburn Institute Of Technology ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn Institute Of Technology is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,880. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $22,547. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt.
Warrensburg Area Career Center landed the #16 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist value this year. Warrensburg Area Career Center is a small public school located in the town of Warrensburg. Students borrow a median of $12,614 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Warrensburg Area Career Center earn a median of $23,749 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,614 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Iowa School Of Beauty Des Moines ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Iowa School Of Beauty Des Moines is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Des Moines. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $9,130. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $20,355. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Faust Institute Of Cosmetology Spirit Lake came in at #18 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Faust Institute Of Cosmetology Spirit Lake is a small private for-profit school located in the town of Spirit Lake. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Faust Institute Of Cosmetology Spirit Lake generally make around $20,098. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
La James College Of Hairstyling And Cosmetology came in at #19 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the town of Mason City, La James College Of Hairstyling And Cosmetology is a small private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $8,582. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of La James College Of Hairstyling And Cosmetology earn a median of $23,313 early in their careers. Set against $8,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mitsu Sato Hair Academy placed #20 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Set in the city of Overland Park, Mitsu Sato Hair Academy is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Mitsu Sato Hair Academy earn a median of $17,143 early in their careers.
Josephs College Cosmetology ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Located in the city of Lincoln, Josephs College Cosmetology is a small private for-profit university. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Josephs College Cosmetology generally make around $22,479. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lake Area Technical Institute came in at #22 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the town of Watertown, Lake Area Technical Institute is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,718. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $12,000. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Lake Area Technical Institute earn a median of $20,420 early in their careers. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Salem College Of Hairstyling landed the #23 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist value this year. Set in the town of Rolla, Salem College Of Hairstyling is a small private for-profit institution. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $20,888.
Capri College Davenport placed #24 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Set in the city of Davenport, Capri College Davenport is a small private for-profit institution. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $11,019 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Capri College Davenport generally make around $22,161. Set against $11,019 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eric Fisher Academy came in at #25 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the city of Wichita, Eric Fisher Academy is a small private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $9,339. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Eric Fisher Academy generally make around $20,465. Set against $9,339 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 95 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.
