by our College Data Analytics Team
[Cosmetology](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/cosmetology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 158 schools to find the best return on investment for cosmetology students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the cosmetology degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in cosmetology, no school beat College Of The Mainland this year. College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Texas City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,310, compared with $4,140 for out-of-state students. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $5,711 in student loans. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $18,495. Set against $5,711 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wharton County Junior College earned it the #2 place for cosmetology. Located in the town of Wharton, Wharton County Junior College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,192, while out-of-state students pay about $5,904. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Wharton County Junior College generally make around $19,087. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Mclennan Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Located in the city of Waco, Mclennan Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,910. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $5,776 in student loans. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $16,879. That is a strong return on a $5,776 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Grayson College one of the best values for cosmetology. Grayson College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Denison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,000, while out-of-state students pay about $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.
Students looking for strong value in cosmetology will find it at Lamar State College Orange, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Orange, Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,832, with out-of-state students paying around $13,824. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $18,506 in student loans. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $45,299. That is a strong return on a $18,506 median debt.
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Lee College came in at #6 for value in cosmetology this year. Located in the city of Baytown, Lee College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,520 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,045. Students borrow a median of $10,941 to complete the cosmetology program here. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $14,727. Set against $10,941 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Midland College placed #7 among the best values for cosmetology. Set in the city of Midland, Midland College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,180. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $9,000. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $43,454. Set against $9,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Trinity Valley Community College placed #8 among the best values for cosmetology. Located in the town of Athens, Trinity Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,640, with out-of-state students paying around $5,970. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Cosmetology graduates of Trinity Valley Community College earn a median of $11,544 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Palo Alto College earned the #9 position for value in cosmetology this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, Palo Alto College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $9,430. Cosmetology graduates of Palo Alto College earn a median of $29,062 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Paso Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value cosmetology schools. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,274, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. 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.
South Texas College landed the #11 spot for cosmetology value this year. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, 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.
Texarkana College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Texarkana College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Texarkana. In-state tuition and fees average $2,476, while out-of-state students pay about $5,332. Students borrow a median of $5,450 to complete the cosmetology program here. 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.
Del Mar College landed the #13 spot for cosmetology value this year. Del Mar College is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,500, compared with $6,050 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,476 to complete the cosmetology program here. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Del Mar College generally make around $13,099. Set against $7,476 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Jacinto Community College came in at #14 for value in cosmetology this year. San Jacinto Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. Students from in state pay about $2,490 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $8,791 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from San Jacinto Community College generally make around $15,655. That is a strong return on a $8,791 median debt.
Lamar State College Port Arthur placed #15 among the best values for cosmetology. Lamar State College Port Arthur is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Port Arthur. Students from in state pay about $1,770 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,070. 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. Set against $33,385 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Vernon College came in at #16 for value in cosmetology this year. Vernon College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Vernon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,720, with out-of-state students paying around $6,120. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $12,513. Cosmetology graduates of Vernon College earn a median of $45,097 early in their careers. Set against $12,513 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Coastal Bend College came in at #17 for value in cosmetology this year. Set in the town of Beeville, Coastal Bend College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,916, while out-of-state students pay about $5,226. Students borrow a median of $14,609 to complete the cosmetology program here. Median earnings reach $35,086 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $14,609 median debt.
Kilgore College earned the #18 position for value in cosmetology this year. Set in the town of Kilgore, Kilgore College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,160, while out-of-state students pay about $5,256. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the cosmetology program here. Cosmetology graduates of Kilgore College earn a median of $15,957 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Central Texas College landed the #19 spot for cosmetology value this year. Set in the town of Gainesville, North Central Texas College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,600, while out-of-state students pay about $5,739. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $6,812. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $10,963. That is a strong return on a $6,812 median debt.
Howard College earned the #20 position for value in cosmetology 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. Cosmetology graduates of Howard College earn a median of $13,529 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lone Star College System ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Lone Star College System is a very large public school located in the city of The Woodlands. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,664, with out-of-state students paying around $7,512. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the cosmetology program here. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $18,887. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Plains College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value cosmetology schools. South Plains College is a large public school located in the town of Levelland. Students from in state pay about $2,733 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,157. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from South Plains College generally make around $11,557. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Laredo Community College earned the #23 position for value in cosmetology this year. Located in the city of Laredo, Laredo Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,300, while out-of-state students pay about $5,748. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Laredo Community College generally make around $41,354. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Houston Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Houston Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,040, while out-of-state students pay about $5,460. Students borrow a median of $23,061 to complete the cosmetology program here. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Houston Community College generally make around $16,075. Set against $23,061 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lamar Institute Of Technology placed #25 among the best values for cosmetology. Lamar Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Beaumont. In-state tuition and fees average $2,844, compared with $12,924 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $14,278. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Lamar Institute Of Technology generally make around $50,068. That is a strong return on a $14,278 median debt.
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This ranking is produced 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 · 158 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.