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2026 Best Value Cosmetology Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in cosmetology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Cosmetology Schools
Leading the list is College Of The Mainland, our #1 best value for cosmetology in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,310, with out-of-state students paying around $4,140. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $5,711 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from College Of The Mainland generally make around $18,495. That is a strong return on a $5,711 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central New Mexico Community College earned it the #2 place for cosmetology. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $16,496. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wharton County Junior College earned it the #3 place for cosmetology. Wharton County Junior College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Wharton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,192, with out-of-state students paying around $5,904. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $5,500. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $19,087. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mclennan Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Mclennan Community College is a large public school located in the city of Waco. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, compared with $5,910 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $5,776. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Mclennan Community College generally make around $16,879. Set against $5,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grayson College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in cosmetology, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Denison, Grayson College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,000, with out-of-state students paying around $6,300. Students borrow a median of $11,627 to complete the cosmetology program here. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Grayson College generally make around $18,598. Set against $11,627 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
ADBLOCK #101
Lamar State College Orange landed the #6 spot for cosmetology value this year. Located in the town of Orange, Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,832, compared with $13,824 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $18,506. Cosmetology graduates of Lamar State College Orange earn a median of $45,299 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Clovis Community College came in at #7 for value in cosmetology this year. Located in the town of Clovis, Clovis Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,592, while out-of-state students pay about $3,344. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $11,082. Cosmetology graduates of Clovis Community College earn a median of $44,390 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,082 median debt.
Lee College earned the #8 position for value in cosmetology this year. Set in the city of Baytown, Lee College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,520 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,045 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,941 to complete the cosmetology program here. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $14,727. That is a strong return on a $10,941 median debt.
Trinity Valley Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Located in the town of Athens, Trinity Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,640, compared with $5,970 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the cosmetology program here. Cosmetology graduates of Trinity Valley Community College earn a median of $11,544 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Juan College earned the #10 position for value in cosmetology this year. Located in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $1,910 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,393 for out-of-state students. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $16,150 in student loans. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $41,697. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Palo Alto College placed #11 among the best values for cosmetology. Palo Alto College is a large public school located in the city of San Antonio. In-state tuition and fees average $3,412, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $9,430. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $29,062. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Paso Community College landed the #12 spot for cosmetology value this year. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,274, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $8,542. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $29,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Midland College placed #13 among the best values for cosmetology. Set in the city of Midland, Midland College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,180, while out-of-state students pay about $6,180. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $9,000. Cosmetology graduates of Midland College earn a median of $43,454 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gateway Community College Central City placed #14 among the best values for cosmetology. Set in the city of Phoenix, Gateway Community College Central City is a small public institution. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $15,037. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $45,781. That is a strong return on a $15,037 median debt.
South Texas College placed #15 among the best values for cosmetology. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Students borrow a median of $6,868 to complete the cosmetology program here. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $30,227. That is a strong return on a $6,868 median debt.
Del Mar College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,500 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,050. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $7,476. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $13,099. Set against $7,476 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texarkana College placed #17 among the best values for cosmetology. Set in the city of Texarkana, Texarkana College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,476 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,332. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $5,450. Cosmetology graduates of Texarkana College earn a median of $33,707 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,450 median debt.
San Jacinto Community College came in at #18 for value in cosmetology this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, San Jacinto Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,490, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,791 to complete the cosmetology program here. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from San Jacinto Community College generally make around $15,655. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lamar State College Port Arthur came in at #19 for value in cosmetology this year. Located in the city of Port Arthur, Lamar State College Port Arthur is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $1,770 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,070 for out-of-state students. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $33,385 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Lamar State College Port Arthur generally make around $78,580. That is a strong return on a $33,385 median debt.
Coastal Bend College placed #20 among the best values for cosmetology. Located in the town of Beeville, Coastal Bend College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,916, with out-of-state students paying around $5,226. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $14,609. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $35,086. Set against $14,609 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Vernon College came in at #21 for value in cosmetology this year. Located in the town of Vernon, Vernon College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,720, with out-of-state students paying around $6,120. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $12,513. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $45,097. That is a strong return on a $12,513 median debt.
North Central Texas College placed #22 among the best values for cosmetology. Located in the town of Gainesville, North Central Texas College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,600, while out-of-state students pay about $5,739. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $6,812 in student loans. Cosmetology graduates of North Central Texas College earn a median of $10,963 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kilgore College came in at #23 for value in cosmetology this year. Kilgore College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kilgore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,160, while out-of-state students pay about $5,256. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the cosmetology program here. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Kilgore College generally make around $15,957. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus earned the #24 position for value in cosmetology this year. Located in the town of Gallup, University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,906, while out-of-state students pay about $5,682. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $10,986. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $35,132. That is a strong return on a $10,986 median debt.
Howard College landed the #25 spot for cosmetology value this year. Set in the town of Big Spring, Howard College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,766, with out-of-state students paying around $6,716. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $14,242. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Howard College generally make around $13,529. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Cosmetology Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s cosmetology value ranking:
Narrow Cosmetology Schools by State
[Cosmetology](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/cosmetology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
