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2026 Best Value Cosmetology Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in cosmetology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Cosmetology Schools
Hutchinson Community College earned the #1 spot for value among cosmetology schools in the The Plains States Region. Located in the town of Hutchinson, Hutchinson Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,540, compared with $4,770 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $18,148. Cosmetology graduates of Hutchinson Community College earn a median of $17,437 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,148 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Fort Scott Community College earned it the #2 place for cosmetology. Fort Scott Community College is a small public school located in the town of Fort Scott. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,390, compared with $3,840 for out-of-state students. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Fort Scott Community College generally make around $20,691. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Garden City Community College earned it the #3 place for cosmetology. Garden City Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Garden City. Students from in state pay about $3,690 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,320 for out-of-state students. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Garden City Community College generally make around $18,724. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Riverland Community College one of the best values for cosmetology. Riverland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Austin. Students from in state pay about $6,297 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,732 to complete the cosmetology program here. Cosmetology graduates of Riverland Community College earn a median of $49,194 early in their careers. Set against $15,732 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Seward County Community College And Area Technical School earned it the #5 place for cosmetology. Located in the town of Liberal, Seward County Community College And Area Technical School is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,032, while out-of-state students pay about $5,408. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $9,175. Cosmetology graduates of Seward County Community College And Area Technical School earn a median of $53,375 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,175 median debt.
ADBLOCK #101
Dodge City Community College placed #6 among the best values for cosmetology. Dodge City Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Dodge City. In-state tuition and fees average $4,650, while out-of-state students pay about $5,850. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,427 ten years after entry.
Century College landed the #7 spot for cosmetology value this year. Located in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,214. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $21,332 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Century College generally make around $47,502. Set against $21,332 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ridgewater College came in at #8 for value in cosmetology this year. Located in the town of Willmar, Ridgewater College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,121. Students borrow a median of $9,750 to complete the cosmetology program here. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Ridgewater College generally make around $21,574. Set against $9,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Minnesota State Community And Technical College landed the #9 spot for cosmetology value this year. Set in the rural area of Fergus Falls, Minnesota State Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,908. Students borrow a median of $10,169 to complete the cosmetology program here. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $24,367. That is a strong return on a $10,169 median debt.
Cowley County Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Cowley County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Arkansas City. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800, with out-of-state students paying around $6,600. Students borrow a median of $9,312 to complete the cosmetology program here. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $34,099. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College came in at #11 for value in cosmetology this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,326. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $14,250. Cosmetology graduates of Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College earn a median of $32,987 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,250 median debt.
Minnesota West Community And Technical College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Located in the rural area of Granite Falls, Minnesota West Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,491 in tuition and fees. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $8,730 in student loans. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $17,767. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwest Kansas Technical College came in at #13 for value in cosmetology this year. Northwest Kansas Technical College is a small public school located in the town of Goodland. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Northwest Kansas Technical College generally make around $41,638.
Johnson County Community College landed the #14 spot for cosmetology value this year. Located in the city of Overland Park, Johnson County Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,424, with out-of-state students paying around $5,688. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $5,424 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Johnson County Community College generally make around $21,250. That is a strong return on a $5,424 median debt.
Washburn Institute Of Technology landed the #15 spot for cosmetology value this year. Washburn Institute Of Technology is a small public school located in the city of Topeka. In-state tuition and fees average $8,880. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the cosmetology program here. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Washburn Institute Of Technology generally make around $22,547. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt.
Warrensburg Area Career Center placed #16 among the best values for cosmetology. Warrensburg Area Career Center is a small public school located in the town of Warrensburg. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $12,614 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Warrensburg Area Career Center generally make around $23,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Warrensburg Area Career Center admits about 100% of applicants.
Iowa School Of Beauty Des Moines landed the #17 spot for cosmetology value this year. Located in the suburb of Des Moines, Iowa School Of Beauty Des Moines is a small private for-profit university. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $9,130. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Iowa School Of Beauty Des Moines generally make around $20,355. Set against $9,130 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Faust Institute Of Cosmetology Spirit Lake placed #18 among the best values for cosmetology. Set in the town of Spirit Lake, Faust Institute Of Cosmetology Spirit Lake is a small private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Faust Institute Of Cosmetology Spirit Lake generally make around $20,098. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
La James College Of Hairstyling And Cosmetology earned the #19 position for value in cosmetology this year. Located in the town of Mason City, La James College Of Hairstyling And Cosmetology is a small private for-profit university. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $8,582. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $23,313. Set against $8,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mitsu Sato Hair Academy placed #20 among the best values for cosmetology. Mitsu Sato Hair Academy is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Overland Park. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the cosmetology program here. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $17,143.
Josephs College Cosmetology landed the #21 spot for cosmetology value this year. Josephs College Cosmetology is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Lincoln. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Cosmetology graduates of Josephs College Cosmetology earn a median of $22,479 early in their careers. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lake Area Technical Institute landed the #22 spot for cosmetology value this year. Set in the town of Watertown, Lake Area Technical Institute is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,718. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the cosmetology program here. Cosmetology graduates of Lake Area Technical Institute earn a median of $20,420 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Capri College Davenport ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Set in the city of Davenport, Capri College Davenport is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $11,019 to complete the cosmetology program here. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Capri College Davenport generally make around $22,161. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Salem College Of Hairstyling ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Salem College Of Hairstyling is a small private for-profit school located in the town of Rolla. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $20,888.
Eric Fisher Academy landed the #25 spot for cosmetology value this year. Located in the city of Wichita, Eric Fisher Academy is a small private for-profit university. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $9,339. Cosmetology graduates of Eric Fisher Academy earn a median of $20,465 early in their careers. Set against $9,339 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Cosmetology Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in cosmetology:
Narrow Cosmetology Schools by State
[Cosmetology](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/cosmetology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
