DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/cosmetology/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/cosmetology/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/cosmetology/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/cosmetology/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/cosmetology/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/cosmetology/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/cosmetology/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: No offers_data.offers found, showing generic ESYOH widget
2026 Best Value Cosmetology Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in cosmetology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Cosmetology Schools
For return on investment in cosmetology, no school beat Central Piedmont Community College this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Students borrow a median of $11,861 to complete the cosmetology program here. Cosmetology graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $40,629 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Golden West College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Located in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,380, with out-of-state students paying around $11,628. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the cosmetology program here. Cosmetology graduates of Golden West College earn a median of $82,984 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central New Mexico Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in cosmetology, landing the #3 spot this year. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $10,112. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $16,496. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Clover Park Technical College earned it the #4 place for cosmetology. Located in the city of Lakewood, Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,634 in tuition and fees. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Clover Park Technical College generally make around $19,389. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Eastern Wyoming College earned it the #5 place for cosmetology. Located in the town of Torrington, Eastern Wyoming College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,290, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Students borrow a median of $7,690 to complete the cosmetology program here. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $24,995. That is a strong return on a $7,690 median debt.
ADBLOCK #101
Santa Monica College placed #6 among the best values for cosmetology. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
Fayetteville Technical Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,628 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,772 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $5,500. Cosmetology graduates of Fayetteville Technical Community College earn a median of $40,584 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Central Carolina Community College earned the #8 position for value in cosmetology this year. Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Sanford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,711, while out-of-state students pay about $8,855. Students borrow a median of $12,167 to complete the cosmetology program here. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Central Carolina Community College generally make around $24,101. Set against $12,167 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Citrus College landed the #9 spot for cosmetology value this year. Located in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,204 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,636. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,065.
Sacramento City College landed the #10 spot for cosmetology value this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,180 to complete the cosmetology program here. Cosmetology graduates of Sacramento City College earn a median of $18,184 early in their careers. Set against $13,180 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cerritos College landed the #11 spot for cosmetology value this year. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the cosmetology program here. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $13,133. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.
Northeast Alabama Community College came in at #12 for value in cosmetology this year. Set in the rural area of Rainsville, Northeast Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, compared with $8,910 for out-of-state students. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $7,459 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Northeast Alabama Community College generally make around $35,119. Set against $7,459 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gadsden State Community College landed the #13 spot for cosmetology value this year. Located in the city of Gadsden, Gadsden State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,272, while out-of-state students pay about $7,368. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $9,312 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Gadsden State Community College generally make around $19,107. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Spokane Community College landed the #14 spot for cosmetology value this year. Set in the city of Spokane, Spokane Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,461, while out-of-state students pay about $6,612. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $7,980. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Spokane Community College generally make around $17,869. Set against $7,980 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Butte College landed the #15 spot for cosmetology value this year. Set in the rural area of Oroville, Butte College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,356, compared with $9,276 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $13,302. Cosmetology graduates of Butte College earn a median of $67,048 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Dupage came in at #16 for value in cosmetology this year. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,750. Students borrow a median of $12,492 to complete the cosmetology program here. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $43,025. That is a strong return on a $12,492 median debt.
Hutchinson Community College placed #17 among the best values for cosmetology. Hutchinson Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Hutchinson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,540, compared with $4,770 for out-of-state students. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $18,148 in student loans. Cosmetology graduates of Hutchinson Community College earn a median of $17,437 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wake Technical Community College landed the #18 spot for cosmetology value this year. Located in the suburb of Raleigh, Wake Technical Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,254, compared with $6,862 for out-of-state students. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $7,693 in student loans. Cosmetology graduates of Wake Technical Community College earn a median of $23,286 early in their careers. Set against $7,693 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Riverside City College landed the #19 spot for cosmetology value this year. Set in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $7,736. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $13,431. That is a strong return on a $7,736 median debt.
Sampson Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Set in the town of Clinton, Sampson Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,877, while out-of-state students pay about $9,789. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $12,596 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Sampson Community College generally make around $45,929. Set against $12,596 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Camino Community College District ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Set in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,144, while out-of-state students pay about $7,630. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,589.
Palo Alto College earned the #22 position for value in cosmetology this year. Palo Alto College is a large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Students from in state pay about $3,412 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Students borrow a median of $9,430 to complete the cosmetology program here. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $29,062. Set against $9,430 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Juan College came in at #23 for value in cosmetology this year. Set in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,910, with out-of-state students paying around $5,393. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $16,150. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from San Juan College generally make around $41,697. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lenoir Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Set in the town of Kinston, Lenoir Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,578 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,822. Students borrow a median of $9,984 to complete the cosmetology program here. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Lenoir Community College generally make around $14,172. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rowan Cabarrus Community College landed the #25 spot for cosmetology value this year. Set in the suburb of Salisbury, Rowan Cabarrus Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,064, compared with $6,672 for out-of-state students. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Cosmetology graduates of Rowan Cabarrus Community College earn a median of $22,578 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,500 median debt.
Rest of the Top 48 Best Value Cosmetology Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for cosmetology this year:
Other Cosmetology Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Cosmetology rankings across degree levels:
[Cosmetology](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/cosmetology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong cosmetology education at a price that pays off.
