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2026 Best Value Cosmetology Schools in Pennsylvania
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the cosmetology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Cosmetology Schools
For return on investment in cosmetology, no school beat Community College Of Allegheny County this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,956, with out-of-state students paying around $12,583. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $15,263. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Community College Of Allegheny County generally make around $47,420. Set against $15,263 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in cosmetology will find it at South Hills Beauty Academy Inc, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Pittsburgh, South Hills Beauty Academy Inc is a small private for-profit institution. 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.
Susquehanna County Career And Technology Center came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Susquehanna County Career And Technology Center is a small public school located in the rural area of Springville. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the cosmetology program here. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $42,238.
Lancaster School Of Cosmetology And Therapeutic Bodywork is a great value for students pursuing a degree in cosmetology, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Lancaster, Lancaster School Of Cosmetology And Therapeutic Bodywork is a small private for-profit institution. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $7,208 in student loans. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $19,624. That is a strong return on a $7,208 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Laurel Technical Institute one of the best values for cosmetology. Laurel Technical Institute is a small private for-profit school located in the rural area of Hermitage. In-state tuition and fees average $13,431. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $13,600 in student loans. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $17,251. Set against $13,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
ADBLOCK #101
York County School Of Technology Adult And Continuing Education placed #6 among the best values for cosmetology. Set in the suburb of York, York County School Of Technology Adult And Continuing Education is a small public institution. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $14,894. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $47,870. That is a strong return on a $14,894 median debt.
Butler Beauty Academy came in at #7 for value in cosmetology this year. Set in the town of Butler, Butler Beauty Academy is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $8,028 to complete the cosmetology program here. Cosmetology graduates of Butler Beauty Academy earn a median of $13,502 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,028 median debt.
Butler Beauty Academy New Castle Beauty Academy placed #8 among the best values for cosmetology. Set in the town of New Castle, Butler Beauty Academy New Castle Beauty Academy is a small private for-profit institution. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $8,028 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Butler Beauty Academy New Castle Beauty Academy generally make around $13,502. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bella Capelli Academy came in at #9 for value in cosmetology this year. Located in the suburb of Monroeville, Bella Capelli Academy is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $10,400 to complete the cosmetology program here. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Bella Capelli Academy generally make around $16,192. Set against $10,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Butler Beauty Academy Kittanning Beauty Academy landed the #10 spot for cosmetology value this year. Located in the town of Kittanning, Butler Beauty Academy Kittanning Beauty Academy is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $8,028 to complete the cosmetology program here. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Butler Beauty Academy Kittanning Beauty Academy generally make around $13,502. Set against $8,028 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Divine Crown Academy Of Cosmetology came in at #11 for value in cosmetology this year. Divine Crown Academy Of Cosmetology is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Harrisburg. Students borrow a median of $12,588 to complete the cosmetology program here. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Divine Crown Academy Of Cosmetology generally make around $14,803.
Laurel Business Institute ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Set in the town of Uniontown, Laurel Business Institute is a small private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $13,713 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the cosmetology program here. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $15,447. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
The Beauty Institute Allentown landed the #13 spot for cosmetology value this year. Located in the suburb of Whitehall, The Beauty Institute Allentown is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $11,234 to complete the cosmetology program here. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $15,063. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lansdale School Of Cosmetology Inc landed the #14 spot for cosmetology value this year. Set in the suburb of Lansdale, Lansdale School Of Cosmetology Inc is a small private for-profit institution. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $17,234.
Penn Commercial Business Technical School placed #15 among the best values for cosmetology. Located in the suburb of Washington, Penn Commercial Business Technical School is a small private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,654. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $11,318 in student loans. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $20,871. Set against $11,318 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Penn Commercial Business Technical School admits about 56% of applicants.
The Beauty Institute Ambler came in at #16 for value in cosmetology this year. Located in the suburb of Ambler, The Beauty Institute Ambler is a small private for-profit university. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $11,705 in student loans. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $15,977. Set against $11,705 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Empire Beauty School Lancaster earned the #17 position for value in cosmetology this year. Set in the suburb of Lancaster, Empire Beauty School Lancaster is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $13,583 to complete the cosmetology program here. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $16,429. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Empire Beauty School Hanover placed #18 among the best values for cosmetology. Empire Beauty School Hanover is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Hanover. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $17,113. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Empire Beauty School Monroeville placed #19 among the best values for cosmetology. Located in the suburb of Monroeville, Empire Beauty School Monroeville is a small private for-profit university. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $13,583 in student loans. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $16,429. That is a strong return on a $13,583 median debt.
Empire Beauty School Harrisburg landed the #20 spot for cosmetology value this year. Located in the suburb of Harrisburg, Empire Beauty School Harrisburg is a small private for-profit university. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $13,583 in student loans. Cosmetology graduates of Empire Beauty School Harrisburg earn a median of $16,062 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Empire Beauty School Springfield came in at #21 for value in cosmetology this year. Located in the suburb of Springfield, Empire Beauty School Springfield is a small private for-profit university. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $13,583. Cosmetology graduates of Empire Beauty School Springfield earn a median of $16,429 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Empire Beauty School Wyoming Valley placed #22 among the best values for cosmetology. Empire Beauty School Wyoming Valley is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Moosic. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $13,583 in student loans. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $15,679. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Empire Beauty School Pottsville landed the #23 spot for cosmetology value this year. Empire Beauty School Pottsville is a small private for-profit school located in the town of Pottsville. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $13,849. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Empire Beauty School Pottsville generally make around $18,639. Set against $13,849 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Empire Beauty School Ne Philadelphia earned the #24 position for value in cosmetology this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Empire Beauty School Ne Philadelphia is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the cosmetology program here. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Empire Beauty School Ne Philadelphia generally make around $17,113. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Empire Beauty School West Mifflin placed #25 among the best values for cosmetology. Located in the suburb of West Mifflin, Empire Beauty School West Mifflin is a small private for-profit university. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $13,583 in student loans. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $16,429. Set against $13,583 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 48 Best Value Cosmetology Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s cosmetology value ranking:
[Cosmetology](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/cosmetology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
