by our College Data Analytics Team
[Cosmetology](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/cosmetology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong cosmetology education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 194 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for cosmetology students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in cosmetology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Skyline College earned the #1 spot for value among cosmetology schools in the Far Western Region. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $9,956. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,702 ten years after entry.
A rank of #2 makes Golden West College one of the best values for cosmetology. Located in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,380, while out-of-state students pay about $11,628. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the cosmetology program here. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Golden West College generally make around $82,984. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes College Of San Mateo one of the best values for cosmetology. Set in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete the cosmetology program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,172. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Clover Park Technical College earned it the #4 place for cosmetology. Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Lakewood. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,634. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in cosmetology will find it at Santa Monica College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
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Citrus College earned the #6 position for value in cosmetology this year. Set in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,204 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,636 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,065.
Sacramento City College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Sacramento City College is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $13,180. 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 came in at #8 for value in cosmetology this year. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $11,306. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $13,133. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.
Spokane Community College earned the #9 position for value in cosmetology this year. Set in the city of Spokane, Spokane Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,461, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,980 to complete the cosmetology program here. Cosmetology graduates of Spokane Community College earn a median of $17,869 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,980 median debt.
Santiago Canyon College came in at #10 for value in cosmetology this year. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,164, compared with $9,612 for out-of-state students. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Santiago Canyon College generally make around $34,100. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Pasadena City College came in at #11 for value in cosmetology this year. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Cosmetology graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Butte College landed the #12 spot for cosmetology value this year. Butte College is a large public school located in the rural area of Oroville. Students from in state pay about $1,356 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,276. Students borrow a median of $13,302 to complete the cosmetology program here. 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.
Saddleback College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $5,707. Cosmetology graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $11,257 early in their careers. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Riverside City College earned the #14 position for value in cosmetology this year. Set in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,736 to complete the cosmetology program here. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Riverside City College generally make around $13,431. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gavilan College landed the #15 spot for cosmetology value this year. Located in the rural area of Gilroy, Gavilan College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,508, while out-of-state students pay about $12,249. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $5,939 in student loans. Cosmetology graduates of Gavilan College earn a median of $28,496 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,939 median debt.
El Camino Community College District came in at #16 for value in cosmetology this year. Set in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,144, while out-of-state students pay about $7,630. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,589 ten years after entry.
Solano Community College earned the #17 position for value in cosmetology this year. Located in the suburb of Fairfield, Solano Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,172, while out-of-state students pay about $9,772. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $10,500. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,170 ten years after entry. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Allan Hancock College landed the #18 spot for cosmetology value this year. Allan Hancock College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Maria. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, compared with $9,892 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,786 ten years out.
Honolulu Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Honolulu Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Honolulu. Students from in state pay about $3,174 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,310. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $10,868 in student loans. Cosmetology graduates of Honolulu Community College earn a median of $59,006 early in their careers. Set against $10,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fullerton College came in at #20 for value in cosmetology this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, Fullerton College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,151, while out-of-state students pay about $12,379. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,366 ten years after entry.
San Diego City College earned the #21 position for value in cosmetology this year. San Diego City College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $9,514. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $13,445. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Olympic College came in at #22 for value in cosmetology this year. Located in the city of Bremerton, Olympic College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,472, compared with $9,740 for out-of-state students. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $11,497 in student loans. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $57,593. That is a strong return on a $11,497 median debt.
Santa Barbara City College landed the #23 spot for cosmetology value this year. Located in the city of Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara City College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,240 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,432 for out-of-state students. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $21,090 in student loans. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $68,184. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Everett Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Set in the city of Everett, Everett Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,032, compared with $11,171 for out-of-state students. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $13,542 in student loans. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $47,441. Set against $13,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Los Angeles Trade Technical College landed the #25 spot for cosmetology value this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Trade Technical College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,238, while out-of-state students pay about $10,572. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $14,833. Cosmetology graduates of Los Angeles Trade Technical College earn a median of $53,553 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,833 median debt.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s cosmetology value ranking:
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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 · 194 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.