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2026 Best Value Cosmetology Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in cosmetology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Cosmetology Schools
Community College Of Allegheny County tops our 2026 list of the best value cosmetology schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,956, while out-of-state students pay about $12,583. Students borrow a median of $15,263 to complete the cosmetology program here. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $47,420. That is a strong return on a $15,263 median debt.
South Hills Beauty Academy Inc is a great value for students pursuing a degree in cosmetology, landing the #2 spot this year. South Hills Beauty Academy Inc is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Pittsburgh. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $7,662 in student loans. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $20,852. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Eastern Suffolk Boces Riverhead earned it the #3 place for cosmetology. Eastern Suffolk Boces Riverhead is a small public school located in the suburb of Riverhead. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,394 ten years after entry.
A rank of #4 makes Career School Of Ny one of the best values for cosmetology. Located in the city of Staten Island, Career School Of Ny is a small private not-for-profit university. Median earnings reach $35,778 ten years out.
Aesthetic Science Institute is a great value for students pursuing a degree in cosmetology, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Latham, Aesthetic Science Institute is a small private for-profit university. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $6,333 in student loans. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $22,638.
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Lancaster School Of Cosmetology And Therapeutic Bodywork ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Located in the suburb of Lancaster, Lancaster School Of Cosmetology And Therapeutic Bodywork is a small private for-profit university. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $7,208 in student loans. Cosmetology graduates of Lancaster School Of Cosmetology And Therapeutic Bodywork earn a median of $19,624 early in their careers. Set against $7,208 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Suffolk Boces Oakdale came in at #7 for value in cosmetology this year. Set in the suburb of Oakdale, Eastern Suffolk Boces Oakdale is a small public institution. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,394.
Aveda Institute Maryland landed the #8 spot for cosmetology value this year. Set in the suburb of Bel Air, Aveda Institute Maryland is a small private for-profit institution. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $9,833 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Aveda Institute Maryland generally make around $16,394. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Susquehanna County Career And Technology Center earned the #9 position for value in cosmetology this year. Susquehanna County Career And Technology Center is a small public school located in the rural area of Springville. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Cosmetology graduates of Susquehanna County Career And Technology Center earn a median of $42,238 early in their careers.
Erie 1 Boces ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Erie 1 Boces is a small public school located in the suburb of West Seneca. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the cosmetology program here. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $15,359. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Atelier Esthetique Institute Of Esthetics ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Atelier Esthetique Institute Of Esthetics is a small private for-profit school located in the city of New York. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $6,333 in student loans. Cosmetology graduates of Atelier Esthetique Institute Of Esthetics earn a median of $21,516 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,333 median debt.
Lia Schorr Institute Of Cosmetic Skin Care Training earned the #12 position for value in cosmetology this year. Set in the city of New York, Lia Schorr Institute Of Cosmetic Skin Care Training is a small private for-profit institution. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $6,333 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Lia Schorr Institute Of Cosmetic Skin Care Training generally make around $17,926.
Ocean County Vocational Technical School landed the #13 spot for cosmetology value this year. Ocean County Vocational Technical School is a small public school located in the suburb of Toms River. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Ocean County Vocational Technical School generally make around $15,002.
Long Island Nail And Skin Care Institute earned the #14 position for value in cosmetology this year. Located in the suburb of Bethpage, Long Island Nail And Skin Care Institute is a small private for-profit university. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $6,333. Cosmetology graduates of Long Island Nail And Skin Care Institute earn a median of $15,644 early in their careers. Set against $6,333 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
York County School Of Technology Adult And Continuing Education came in at #15 for value in cosmetology this year. Located in the suburb of York, York County School Of Technology Adult And Continuing Education is a small public university. Students borrow a median of $14,894 to complete the cosmetology program here. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $47,870. Set against $14,894 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Laurel Technical Institute placed #16 among the best values for cosmetology. Set in the rural area of Hermitage, Laurel Technical Institute is a small private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $13,431 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,600 to complete the cosmetology program here. Cosmetology graduates of Laurel Technical Institute earn a median of $17,251 early in their careers. Set against $13,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Christine Valmy International School For Esthetics Skin Care And Makeup earned the #17 position for value in cosmetology this year. Set in the city of New York, Christine Valmy International School For Esthetics Skin Care And Makeup is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $6,197 to complete the cosmetology program here. Cosmetology graduates of Christine Valmy International School For Esthetics Skin Care And Makeup earn a median of $19,396 early in their careers.
Union County Vocational Technical School earned the #18 position for value in cosmetology this year. Located in the suburb of Scotch Plains, Union County Vocational Technical School is a small public university. Graduates go on to earn a median of $37,590 ten years after entry.
Continental School Of Beauty Culture Rochester placed #19 among the best values for cosmetology. Continental School Of Beauty Culture Rochester is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Rochester. Students borrow a median of $9,617 to complete the cosmetology program here. Cosmetology graduates of Continental School Of Beauty Culture Rochester earn a median of $18,208 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,617 median debt.
New York School Of Esthetics And Day Spa came in at #20 for value in cosmetology this year. Located in the city of white plains, New York School Of Esthetics And Day Spa is a small private for-profit university. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from New York School Of Esthetics And Day Spa generally make around $20,531.
Butler Beauty Academy earned the #21 position for value in cosmetology this year. Butler Beauty Academy is a small private for-profit school located in the town of Butler. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $8,028. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Butler Beauty Academy generally make around $13,502. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Continental School Of Beauty Culture Mattydale came in at #22 for value in cosmetology this year. Located in the suburb of Mattydale, Continental School Of Beauty Culture Mattydale is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $9,617 to complete the cosmetology program here. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Continental School Of Beauty Culture Mattydale generally make around $18,208. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The Salon Professional Academy Tonawanda came in at #23 for value in cosmetology this year. The Salon Professional Academy Tonawanda is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Tonawanda. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $10,667. Cosmetology graduates of The Salon Professional Academy Tonawanda earn a median of $17,534 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,667 median debt.
Butler Beauty Academy New Castle Beauty Academy ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Located in the town of New Castle, Butler Beauty Academy New Castle Beauty Academy is a small private for-profit university. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $8,028 in student loans. Cosmetology graduates of Butler Beauty Academy New Castle Beauty Academy earn a median of $13,502 early in their careers. Set against $8,028 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bella Capelli Academy placed #25 among the best values for cosmetology. Set in the suburb of Monroeville, Bella Capelli Academy is a small private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $10,400. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $16,192. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Cosmetology Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in cosmetology:
Narrow Cosmetology Schools by State
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 157 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.
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[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.
