by our College Data Analytics Team
[Cosmetology](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/cosmetology/) 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 134 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value cosmetology schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in cosmetology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Skyline College, our #1 best value for cosmetology in California. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,702 ten years after entry.
Students looking for strong value in cosmetology will find it at Golden West College, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,380, with out-of-state students paying around $11,628. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Golden West College generally make around $82,984. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in cosmetology will find it at College Of San Mateo, which ranked #3. Set in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,428. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $12,831. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,172 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Monica College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in cosmetology, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
Students looking for strong value in cosmetology will find it at Cerritos College, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the cosmetology program here. Cosmetology graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $13,133 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.
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Citrus College landed the #6 spot for cosmetology value this year. Located in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,204, while out-of-state students pay about $10,636. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,065 ten years after entry.
Sacramento City College came in at #7 for value in cosmetology this year. Sacramento City College is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Students borrow a median of $13,180 to complete the cosmetology program here. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $18,184. Set against $13,180 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santiago Canyon College landed the #8 spot for cosmetology value this year. Set in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,164 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,612. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Cosmetology graduates of Santiago Canyon College earn a median of $34,100 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasadena City College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $9,191. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $38,841. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Saddleback College came in at #10 for value in cosmetology this year. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the cosmetology program here. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $11,257. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Butte College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Located in the rural area of Oroville, Butte College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,356, compared with $9,276 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $13,302. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $67,048. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gavilan College placed #12 among the best values for cosmetology. Set in the rural area of Gilroy, Gavilan College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,508, while out-of-state students pay about $12,249. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $5,939 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Gavilan College generally make around $28,496. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Riverside City College landed the #13 spot for cosmetology value this year. Set in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Students borrow a median of $7,736 to complete the cosmetology program here. Cosmetology graduates of Riverside City College earn a median of $13,431 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,736 median debt.
El Camino Community College District came in at #14 for value in cosmetology this year. El Camino Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of Torrance. 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 came in at #15 for value in cosmetology this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfield, Solano Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,172, compared with $9,772 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $10,500. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,170. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fullerton College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, Fullerton College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,151, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,366.
San Diego City College came in at #17 for value in cosmetology this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, 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. Set against $9,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Allan Hancock College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Allan Hancock College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Maria. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $9,892. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,786.
Santa Barbara City College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Santa Barbara City College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Barbara. 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.
Los Angeles Trade Technical College landed the #20 spot for cosmetology value this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Trade Technical College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,238, while out-of-state students pay about $10,572. Students borrow a median of $14,833 to complete the cosmetology program here. Cosmetology graduates of Los Angeles Trade Technical College earn a median of $53,553 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Camino College Compton Center landed the #21 spot for cosmetology value this year. Set in the suburb of Compton, El Camino College Compton Center is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,142 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,822. Graduates go on to earn a median of $34,181 ten years after entry.
Barstow Community College landed the #22 spot for cosmetology value this year. Located in the town of Barstow, Barstow Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,104, while out-of-state students pay about $9,744. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $5,588. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $22,398. Set against $5,588 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Jose City College landed the #23 spot for cosmetology value this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose City College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,366, compared with $11,922 for out-of-state students. Cosmetology graduates of San Jose City College earn a median of $23,253 early in their careers.
Cinta Aveda Institute came in at #24 for value in cosmetology this year. Cinta Aveda Institute is a small private for-profit school located in the city of San Francisco. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $10,554 in student loans. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $17,592. Set against $10,554 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Laney College came in at #25 for value in cosmetology this year. Set in the city of Oakland, Laney College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,258, with out-of-state students paying around $9,898. Median earnings reach $37,282 ten years out.
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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 · 134 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.