by our College Data Analytics Team
[Cosmetology](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/cosmetology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 29 schools to find the best return on investment for cosmetology students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the cosmetology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Coahoma Community College, our #1 best value for cosmetology in Mississippi. Coahoma Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Clarksdale. In-state tuition and fees average $3,490. Students borrow a median of $11,745 to complete the cosmetology program here. Cosmetology graduates of Coahoma Community College earn a median of $13,154 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwest Mississippi Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Located in the rural area of Summit, Southwest Mississippi Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,080, with out-of-state students paying around $6,780. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $21,057 in student loans. Cosmetology graduates of Southwest Mississippi Community College earn a median of $50,292 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,057 median debt.
East Central Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in cosmetology, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Decatur, East Central Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,990, compared with $6,090 for out-of-state students. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $6,382 in student loans. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $32,981. That is a strong return on a $6,382 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Hinds Community College one of the best values for cosmetology. Set in the rural area of Raymond, Hinds Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,250, while out-of-state students pay about $7,300. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $9,781. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Hinds Community College generally make around $17,704. That is a strong return on a $9,781 median debt.
East Mississippi Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Set in the rural area of Scooba, East Mississippi Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,095 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,445. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the cosmetology program here. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from East Mississippi Community College generally make around $12,128. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Copiah Lincoln Community College came in at #6 for value in cosmetology this year. Set in the rural area of Wesson, Copiah Lincoln Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,200, compared with $5,200 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $31,241 ten years after entry.
Pearl River Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Located in the rural area of Poplarville, Pearl River Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,700 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,100 for out-of-state students. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $13,482 in student loans. Cosmetology graduates of Pearl River Community College earn a median of $7,580 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwest Mississippi Community College came in at #8 for value in cosmetology this year. Located in the town of Senatobia, Northwest Mississippi Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,740. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Cosmetology graduates of Northwest Mississippi Community College earn a median of $17,660 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Meridian Community College earned the #9 position for value in cosmetology this year. Set in the town of Meridian, Meridian Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,078, while out-of-state students pay about $6,478. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $10,368 in student loans. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $17,559. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College landed the #10 spot for cosmetology value this year. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Perkinston. Students from in state pay about $4,250 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,850. Students borrow a median of $11,653 to complete the cosmetology program here. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College generally make around $34,214. That is a strong return on a $11,653 median debt.
Jones County Junior College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Located in the town of Ellisville, Jones County Junior College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,700, with out-of-state students paying around $5,700. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $9,559. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Jones County Junior College generally make around $10,046. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mississippi Institute Of Aesthetics Nails And Cosmetology placed #12 among the best values for cosmetology. Mississippi Institute Of Aesthetics Nails And Cosmetology is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Clinton. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $5,616. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Mississippi Institute Of Aesthetics Nails And Cosmetology generally make around $15,875. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kcs School Of Hair Design earned the #13 position for value in cosmetology this year. Set in the rural area of Pontotoc, Kcs School Of Hair Design is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $9,833 to complete the cosmetology program here. Cosmetology graduates of Kcs School Of Hair Design earn a median of $13,206 early in their careers.
Delta Technical College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Delta Technical College is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the suburb of Horn Lake. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $13,038. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Delta Technical College generally make around $15,576. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chris Beauty College placed #15 among the best values for cosmetology. Located in the city of Gulfport, Chris Beauty College is a small private for-profit university. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $8,225 in student loans. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $14,801. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Traxlers School Of Hair placed #16 among the best values for cosmetology. Located in the city of Jackson, Traxlers School Of Hair is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $5,250 to complete the cosmetology program here. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Traxlers School Of Hair generally make around $9,525. That is a strong return on a $5,250 median debt.
Fosters Cosmetology College placed #17 among the best values for cosmetology. Located in the rural area of Ripley, Fosters Cosmetology College is a small private for-profit university.
The Academy Of Hair Design Six ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Located in the city of Hattiesburg, The Academy Of Hair Design Six is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the cosmetology program here. Cosmetology graduates of The Academy Of Hair Design Six earn a median of $13,776 early in their careers. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Academy Of Hair Design Pearl landed the #19 spot for cosmetology value this year. Set in the suburb of Pearl, Academy Of Hair Design Pearl is a small private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $7,800. Cosmetology graduates of Academy Of Hair Design Pearl earn a median of $15,440 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,800 median debt.
Academy Of Hair Design Jackson earned the #20 position for value in cosmetology this year. Located in the city of Jackson, Academy Of Hair Design Jackson is a small private for-profit university. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $10,005. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Academy Of Hair Design Jackson generally make around $13,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Corinth Academy Of Cosmetology ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Set in the town of Corinth, Corinth Academy Of Cosmetology is a small private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $10,500. Cosmetology graduates of Corinth Academy Of Cosmetology earn a median of $14,608 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Academy Of Hair Design Grenada ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Located in the rural area of Grenada, Academy Of Hair Design Grenada is a small private for-profit university. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $10,005. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Academy Of Hair Design Grenada generally make around $13,348. That is a strong return on a $10,005 median debt.
Blue Cliff College Gulfport landed the #23 spot for cosmetology value this year. Blue Cliff College Gulfport is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Gulfport. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $16,535 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Blue Cliff College Gulfport generally make around $15,719. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mississippi College Of Beauty Culture earned the #24 position for value in cosmetology this year. Located in the town of Laurel, Mississippi College Of Beauty Culture is a small private for-profit university. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $12,266. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $15,880. Set against $12,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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 · 29 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.