2026 Best Value Cosmetology Schools in North Carolina
[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.
College Factual analyzed 69 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value cosmetology schools.
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2026 Best Value Cosmetology Schools in North Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in cosmetology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Cosmetology Schools
Leading the list is Central Piedmont Community College, our #1 best value for cosmetology in North Carolina. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,792, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $11,861. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $40,629. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in cosmetology will find it at Fayetteville Technical Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,628, compared with $8,772 for out-of-state students. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Carolina Community College earned it the #3 place for cosmetology. Set in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,711, compared with $8,855 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $12,167. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $24,101. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cleveland Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in cosmetology, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Shelby, Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,602, with out-of-state students paying around $8,746. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $7,131 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Cleveland Community College generally make around $13,347. That is a strong return on a $7,131 median debt.
Sampson Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Sampson Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Clinton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,877, with out-of-state students paying around $9,789. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $12,596. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $45,929. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Stanly Community College landed the #6 spot for cosmetology value this year. Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Albemarle. Students from in state pay about $2,672 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,816. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $41,920.
Johnston Community College placed #7 among the best values for cosmetology. Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Smithfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,756, compared with $8,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $9,490. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Johnston Community College generally make around $37,472. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Martin Community College earned the #8 position for value in cosmetology this year. Martin Community College is a small public school located in the town of Williamston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,523, with out-of-state students paying around $8,667. Cosmetology graduates of Martin Community College earn a median of $42,820 early in their careers.
James Sprunt Community College earned the #9 position for value in cosmetology this year. Set in the rural area of Kenansville, James Sprunt Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,592, while out-of-state students pay about $8,736. Students borrow a median of $11,278 to complete the cosmetology program here. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from James Sprunt Community College generally make around $35,264. Set against $11,278 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rowan Cabarrus Community College earned the #10 position for value in cosmetology this year. Located in the suburb of Salisbury, Rowan Cabarrus Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,064, compared with $6,672 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the cosmetology program here. Cosmetology graduates of Rowan Cabarrus Community College earn a median of $22,578 early in their careers. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Nash Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Nash Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Rocky Mount. In-state tuition and fees average $2,866, compared with $8,866 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $16,969. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Nash Community College generally make around $45,512. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Craven Community College landed the #12 spot for cosmetology value this year. Craven Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of New Bern. Students from in state pay about $2,022 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,630. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $8,924 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Craven Community College generally make around $7,388. Set against $8,924 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lenoir Community College earned the #13 position for value in cosmetology this year. Located in the town of Kinston, Lenoir Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,578, while out-of-state students pay about $8,822. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $9,984 in student loans. Cosmetology graduates of Lenoir Community College earn a median of $14,172 early in their careers. Set against $9,984 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Vance Granville Community College came in at #14 for value in cosmetology this year. Vance Granville Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Henderson. In-state tuition and fees average $1,944, with out-of-state students paying around $6,552. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $14,833 in student loans. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $43,272. That is a strong return on a $14,833 median debt.
Cape Fear Community College landed the #15 spot for cosmetology value this year. Set in the city of Wilmington, Cape Fear Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,748 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,892 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $12,388. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Cape Fear Community College generally make around $42,889. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Surry Community College placed #16 among the best values for cosmetology. Set in the rural area of Dobson, Surry Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,668 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,812. Students borrow a median of $9,537 to complete the cosmetology program here. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Surry Community College generally make around $47,188. Set against $9,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwestern Community College Sylva came in at #17 for value in cosmetology this year. Set in the town of Sylva, Southwestern Community College Sylva is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,112, with out-of-state students paying around $13,184. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $13,708. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Southwestern Community College Sylva generally make around $14,354. Set against $13,708 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Albemarle landed the #18 spot for cosmetology value this year. Located in the town of Elizabeth City, College Of The Albemarle is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,242 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,652. Students borrow a median of $10,240 to complete the cosmetology program here. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from College Of The Albemarle generally make around $50,506. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Robeson Community College earned the #19 position for value in cosmetology this year. Located in the town of Lumberton, Robeson Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,604, compared with $8,748 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $9,949. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Robeson Community College generally make around $52,951. That is a strong return on a $9,949 median debt.
Beaufort County Community College landed the #20 spot for cosmetology value this year. Located in the rural area of Washington, Beaufort County Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,540, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $7,947 in student loans. Cosmetology graduates of Beaufort County Community College earn a median of $38,009 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gaston College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Gaston College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,186 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,330. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $10,915. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Gaston College generally make around $27,008. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mitchell Community College earned the #22 position for value in cosmetology this year. Mitchell Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Statesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,651, compared with $8,795 for out-of-state students. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $6,313 in student loans. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $40,450. That is a strong return on a $6,313 median debt.
Leons Beauty School Inc came in at #23 for value in cosmetology this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, Leons Beauty School Inc is a small private for-profit university. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Leons Beauty School Inc generally make around $17,247.
Wake Technical Community College placed #24 among the best values for cosmetology. Located in the suburb of Raleigh, Wake Technical Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,254, with out-of-state students paying around $6,862. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $7,693. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $23,286. Set against $7,693 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Piedmont Community College earned the #25 position for value in cosmetology this year. Western Piedmont Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Morganton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,650, while out-of-state students pay about $8,794. Students borrow a median of $11,999 to complete the cosmetology program here. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Western Piedmont Community College generally make around $46,883. That is a strong return on a $11,999 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Cosmetology Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s cosmetology value ranking:
More Cosmetology Rankings
View All Cosmetology Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 69 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
