by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 18 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general cosmetology/cosmetologist students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in general cosmetology/cosmetologist, no school beat Riverland Community College this year. 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. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $49,194. Set against $15,732 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist will find it at Century College, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,214. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $21,332. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Century College generally make around $47,502. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ridgewater College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Ridgewater College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Willmar. In-state tuition and fees average $6,121. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $9,750. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Ridgewater College generally make around $21,574. Set against $9,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Minnesota State Community And Technical College came in at #4 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. Students borrow a median of $10,169 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Minnesota State Community And Technical College earn a median of $24,367 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Minnesota West Community And Technical College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Minnesota West Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Granite Falls. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,491. Students borrow a median of $8,730 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. 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.
Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College placed #6 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. 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. That is a strong return on a $14,250 median debt.
Minnesota State College Southeast Technical came in at #7 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the town of Winona, Minnesota State College Southeast Technical is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,432. Students borrow a median of $22,522 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Minnesota State College Southeast Technical earn a median of $50,290 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Avalon School Of Cosmetology came in at #8 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the town of Worthington, Avalon School Of Cosmetology is a small private for-profit university. Median earnings reach $28,336 ten years out.
Hastings Beauty School earned the #9 position for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the town of Hastings, Hastings Beauty School is a small private for-profit university. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Hastings Beauty School earn a median of $23,396 early in their careers.
Pci Academy Plymouth landed the #10 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist value this year. Located in the city of Plymouth, Pci Academy Plymouth is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $10,570 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $24,178. That is a strong return on a $10,570 median debt.
Empire Beauty School Bloomington ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Empire Beauty School Bloomington is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Bloomington. Students borrow a median of $13,849 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $18,639. Set against $13,849 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Model College Of Hair Design placed #12 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, Model College Of Hair Design is a small private for-profit institution. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $8,778 in student loans. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Model College Of Hair Design earn a median of $25,814 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,778 median debt.
Empire Beauty School Spring Lake Park placed #13 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Empire Beauty School Spring Lake Park is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Spring Lake Park. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $15,765. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Empire Beauty School Spring Lake Park generally make around $18,408. That is a strong return on a $15,765 median debt.
Minnesota School Of Cosmetology Woodbury Campus came in at #14 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the suburb of WOODBURY, Minnesota School Of Cosmetology Woodbury Campus is a small private for-profit university. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $10,194. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $24,617. That is a strong return on a $10,194 median debt.
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Aveda Institute Minneapolis placed #15 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Aveda Institute Minneapolis is a small private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $9,941. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Aveda Institute Minneapolis generally make around $24,230. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Nova Academy Of Cosmetology came in at #16 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the city of Rochester, Nova Academy Of Cosmetology is a small private for-profit institution. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $9,999 in student loans. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $25,754. That is a strong return on a $9,999 median debt.
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This list is compiled 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 · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.