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2026 Best Value Cosmetology Schools in the Southeast Region
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
Our analysis ranked South Georgia Technical College the best value for a degree in cosmetology in the Southeast Region. Set in the town of Americus, South Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,992, compared with $7,202 for out-of-state students. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $10,423 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from South Georgia Technical College generally make around $20,501. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pensacola State College earned it the #2 place for cosmetology. Located in the city of Pensacola, Pensacola State College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,361, with out-of-state students paying around $9,463. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $23,911. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Florida State College At Jacksonville is a great value for students pursuing a degree in cosmetology, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,657, with out-of-state students paying around $9,631. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $13,577. Cosmetology graduates of Florida State College At Jacksonville earn a median of $29,668 early in their careers. Set against $13,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in cosmetology, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Valdosta, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,480, with out-of-state students paying around $6,048. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $10,864. Cosmetology graduates of Wiregrass Georgia Technical College earn a median of $19,659 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fayetteville Technical Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in cosmetology, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,628, while out-of-state students pay about $8,772. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the cosmetology program here. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Fayetteville Technical Community College generally make around $40,584. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
ADBLOCK #101
Central Piedmont Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,792, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Students borrow a median of $11,861 to complete the cosmetology program here. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $40,629. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Located in the city of Rome, Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,300, compared with $5,868 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $8,492. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Georgia Northwestern Technical College generally make around $41,229. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Regional Technical College landed the #8 spot for cosmetology value this year. Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Thomasville. In-state tuition and fees average $3,007, while out-of-state students pay about $5,575. Students borrow a median of $9,086 to complete the cosmetology program here. Cosmetology graduates of Southern Regional Technical College earn a median of $15,168 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,086 median debt.
Central Carolina Community College earned the #9 position for value in cosmetology this year. Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Sanford. In-state tuition and fees average $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. That is a strong return on a $12,167 median debt.
Trident Technical College placed #10 among the best values for cosmetology. Set in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,546, compared with $8,620 for out-of-state students. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $18,116 in student loans. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $50,166. That is a strong return on a $18,116 median debt.
Southern Crescent Technical College placed #11 among the best values for cosmetology. Southern Crescent Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Griffin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,516, with out-of-state students paying around $6,084. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $17,619 in student loans. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $45,062. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins placed #12 among the best values for cosmetology. Located in the city of Warner Robins, Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,448 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,016 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $7,217. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins generally make around $39,765. Set against $7,217 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Georgia Technical College placed #13 among the best values for cosmetology. Located in the rural area of Waco, West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,410, compared with $5,978 for out-of-state students. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $8,500 in student loans. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $11,925. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida Gateway College came in at #14 for value in cosmetology this year. Located in the town of Lake City, Florida Gateway College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,100 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,747. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $6,400 in student loans. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $16,195. Set against $6,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cleveland Community College earned the #15 position for value in cosmetology this year. Set in the town of Shelby, Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,602, compared with $8,746 for out-of-state students. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $7,131 in student loans. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $13,347. Set against $7,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Coastal Pines Technical College landed the #16 spot for cosmetology value this year. Set in the town of Waycross, Coastal Pines Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,268, compared with $5,836 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $5,812. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $39,090. Set against $5,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oconee Fall Line Technical College came in at #17 for value in cosmetology this year. Oconee Fall Line Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Sandersville. In-state tuition and fees average $3,380, with out-of-state students paying around $5,948. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $12,718 in student loans. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $47,076. That is a strong return on a $12,718 median debt.
Ogeechee Technical College came in at #18 for value in cosmetology this year. Ogeechee Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Statesboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,388, compared with $5,956 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $11,894. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Ogeechee Technical College generally make around $17,660. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gadsden State Community College landed the #19 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, compared with $7,368 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,312 to complete the cosmetology program here. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $19,107. Set against $9,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
George C Wallace State Community College Dothan placed #20 among the best values for cosmetology. Set in the city of Dothan, George C Wallace State Community College Dothan is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,980 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,850. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $9,942. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from George C Wallace State Community College Dothan generally make around $19,828. That is a strong return on a $9,942 median debt.
Northeast Alabama Community College placed #21 among the best values for cosmetology. Northeast Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Rainsville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $8,910. Students borrow a median of $7,459 to complete the cosmetology program here. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Northeast Alabama Community College generally make around $35,119. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Columbus Technical College earned the #22 position for value in cosmetology this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,052, compared with $7,262 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,845 to complete the cosmetology program here. Cosmetology graduates of Columbus Technical College earn a median of $19,094 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,845 median debt.
Indian River State College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Set in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,764, while out-of-state students pay about $10,201. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $9,540 in student loans. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $18,411. Set against $9,540 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Coahoma Community College earned the #24 position for value in cosmetology this year. Located in the rural area of Clarksdale, Coahoma Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,490. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $11,745. Cosmetology graduates of Coahoma Community College earn a median of $13,154 early in their careers. Set against $11,745 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Albany Technical College landed the #25 spot for cosmetology value this year. Albany Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Albany. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,364, while out-of-state students pay about $5,932. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $16,321. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Albany Technical College generally make around $35,895. That is a strong return on a $16,321 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Cosmetology Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for cosmetology this year:
Narrow Cosmetology Schools by State
[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.
