DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/cosmetology/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/cosmetology/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/cosmetology/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/cosmetology/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/cosmetology/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/cosmetology/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/cosmetology/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: No offers_data.offers found, showing generic ESYOH widget
2026 Best Value Cosmetology Schools in Minnesota
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in cosmetology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Cosmetology Schools
Riverland Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value cosmetology schools in Minnesota. Riverland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Austin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,297. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Century College earned it the #2 place for cosmetology. Located in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,214. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $21,332 in student loans. Cosmetology graduates of Century College earn a median of $47,502 early in their careers. Set against $21,332 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ridgewater College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in cosmetology, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Willmar, Ridgewater College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,121 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $9,750. Cosmetology graduates of Ridgewater College earn a median of $21,574 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,750 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in cosmetology will find it at Minnesota State Community And Technical College, which ranked #4. Minnesota State Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Fergus Falls. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,908. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $10,169. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $24,367. Set against $10,169 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Minnesota West Community And Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in cosmetology, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Granite Falls, Minnesota West Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,491. Students borrow a median of $8,730 to complete the cosmetology program here. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $17,767. That is a strong return on a $8,730 median debt.
ADBLOCK #101
Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College earned the #6 position 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. In-state tuition and fees average $6,326. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $14,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College generally make around $32,987. That is a strong return on a $14,250 median debt.
Minnesota State College Southeast Technical landed the #7 spot for cosmetology value this year. Set in the town of Winona, Minnesota State College Southeast Technical is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,432. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $22,522. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $50,290. That is a strong return on a $22,522 median debt.
Avalon School Of Cosmetology placed #8 among the best values for cosmetology. Located in the town of Worthington, Avalon School Of Cosmetology is a small private for-profit university. Graduates go on to earn a median of $28,336 ten years after entry.
Hastings Beauty School ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Hastings Beauty School is a small private for-profit school located in the town of Hastings. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $23,396.
Pci Academy Plymouth placed #10 among the best values for cosmetology. Pci Academy Plymouth is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Plymouth. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $10,570. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Pci Academy Plymouth generally make around $24,178. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Empire Beauty School Bloomington ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Set in the city of Bloomington, Empire Beauty School Bloomington is a small private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $13,849. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $18,639. That is a strong return on a $13,849 median debt.
Model College Of Hair Design earned the #12 position for value in cosmetology this year. Model College Of Hair Design is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Saint Cloud. Students borrow a median of $8,778 to complete the cosmetology program here. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $25,814. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Empire Beauty School Spring Lake Park earned the #13 position for value in cosmetology this year. Empire Beauty School Spring Lake Park is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Spring Lake Park. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $15,765. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Empire Beauty School Spring Lake Park generally make around $18,408. Set against $15,765 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Minnesota School Of Cosmetology Woodbury Campus placed #14 among the best values for cosmetology. Minnesota School Of Cosmetology Woodbury Campus is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of WOODBURY. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $10,194 in student loans. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $24,617. Set against $10,194 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Aveda Institute Minneapolis ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Aveda Institute Minneapolis is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $9,941 to complete the cosmetology program here. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $24,230. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
[Cosmetology](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/cosmetology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
