[Cosmetology, Barber/Styling, & Nail Instructor](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/cosmetology/cosmetology-barber-styling-and-nail-instructor/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 488 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor students.
Finding the Best Value Cosmetology, Barber/Styling, & Nail Instructor School for You
The cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. To help, we created our Best Value Cosmetology, Barber/Styling, & Nail Instructor Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Cosmetology, Barber/Styling, & Nail Instructor Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Leading the list is South Georgia Technical College, our #1 best value for cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor in the United States. Located in the town of Americus, South Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,992, while out-of-state students pay about $7,202. Cosmetology, Barber/styling, & Nail Instructor graduates carry a median of $10,423 in student loans. Early-career cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor graduates make about $20,501. Set against $10,423 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Piedmont Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Students borrow a median of $11,861 to complete the cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor program here. Early-career cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor graduates make about $40,629. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Mainland is a great value for students pursuing a degree in cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,310 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,140 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,711 to complete the cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor program here. Soon after graduation, cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor degree recipients from College Of The Mainland generally make around $18,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lake Land College earned it the #4 place for cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor. Set in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,415, with out-of-state students paying around $14,301. Students borrow a median of $7,769 to complete the cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor program here. Early-career cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor graduates make about $30,294. Set against $7,769 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor schools. Set in the city of Warner Robins, Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,448, compared with $6,016 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor graduates is $7,217. Early-career cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor graduates make about $39,765. That is a strong return on a $7,217 median debt.
Fayetteville Technical Community College landed the #6 spot for cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor value this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,628 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,772 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor graduates is $5,500. Cosmetology, Barber/styling, & Nail Instructor graduates of Fayetteville Technical Community College earn a median of $40,584 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lee College earned the #7 position for value in cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor this year. Located in the city of Baytown, Lee College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,520, compared with $5,045 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,941 to complete the cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor program here. Cosmetology, Barber/styling, & Nail Instructor graduates of Lee College earn a median of $14,727 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
East Central Community College came in at #8 for value in cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor this year. Set in the rural area of Decatur, East Central Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,990, with out-of-state students paying around $6,090. Students borrow a median of $6,382 to complete the cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor program here. Cosmetology, Barber/styling, & Nail Instructor graduates of East Central Community College earn a median of $32,981 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,382 median debt.
Columbus Technical College landed the #9 spot for cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor value this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,052, compared with $7,262 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,845 to complete the cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor program here. Soon after graduation, cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor degree recipients from Columbus Technical College generally make around $37,936. That is a strong return on a $15,845 median debt.
Albany Technical College earned the #10 position for value in cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor this year. Located in the city of Albany, Albany Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,364, while out-of-state students pay about $5,932. Students borrow a median of $16,321 to complete the cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor program here. Early-career cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor graduates make about $35,895. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Carolina Community College landed the #11 spot for cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor value this year. Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Sanford. In-state tuition and fees average $2,711, while out-of-state students pay about $8,855. Typical student debt for cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor graduates is $12,167. Soon after graduation, cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor degree recipients from Central Carolina Community College generally make around $38,198. Set against $12,167 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grayson College landed the #12 spot for cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor value 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, compared with $6,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor graduates is $11,627. Soon after graduation, cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor degree recipients from Grayson College generally make around $42,487. That is a strong return on a $11,627 median debt.
Hutchinson Community College landed the #13 spot for cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor value this year. Located in the town of Hutchinson, Hutchinson Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,540, while out-of-state students pay about $4,770. Typical student debt for cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor graduates is $18,148. Soon after graduation, cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor degree recipients from Hutchinson Community College generally make around $42,285. Set against $18,148 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Howard College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor schools. Located in the town of Big Spring, Howard College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,766, with out-of-state students paying around $6,716. Typical student debt for cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor graduates is $14,242. Soon after graduation, cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor degree recipients from Howard College generally make around $41,039. Set against $14,242 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Atlanta Technical College earned the #15 position for value in cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Atlanta Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,382, while out-of-state students pay about $5,950. Cosmetology, Barber/styling, & Nail Instructor graduates carry a median of $16,324 in student loans. Early-career cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor graduates make about $17,157. Set against $16,324 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rich Mountain Community College earned the #16 position for value in cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor this year. Rich Mountain Community College is a small public school located in the town of Mena. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,696, compared with $4,272 for out-of-state students. Cosmetology, Barber/styling, & Nail Instructor graduates of Rich Mountain Community College earn a median of $9,998 early in their careers.
Rowan Cabarrus Community College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor schools. Rowan Cabarrus Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salisbury. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,064, with out-of-state students paying around $6,672. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor program here. Cosmetology, Barber/styling, & Nail Instructor graduates of Rowan Cabarrus Community College earn a median of $34,351 early in their careers. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sampson Community College earned the #18 position for value in cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor this year. Located in the town of Clinton, Sampson Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,877 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,789. Typical student debt for cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor graduates is $12,596. Cosmetology, Barber/styling, & Nail Instructor graduates of Sampson Community College earn a median of $45,929 early in their careers. Set against $12,596 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Copiah Lincoln Community College landed the #19 spot for cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor value this year. Copiah Lincoln Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Wesson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,200, compared with $5,200 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $31,241 ten years after entry.
Lamar State College Port Arthur came in at #20 for value in cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor this year. Lamar State College Port Arthur is a moderately-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. Typical student debt for cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor graduates is $33,385. Cosmetology, Barber/styling, & Nail Instructor graduates of Lamar State College Port Arthur earn a median of $78,580 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $33,385 median debt.
Arkansas State University Newport came in at #21 for value in cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor this year. Arkansas State University Newport is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Newport. In-state tuition and fees average $3,312, with out-of-state students paying around $4,752. Cosmetology, Barber/styling, & Nail Instructor graduates carry a median of $7,250 in student loans. Cosmetology, Barber/styling, & Nail Instructor graduates of Arkansas State University Newport earn a median of $44,500 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Odessa College earned the #22 position for value in cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor this year. Set in the city of Odessa, Odessa College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,688, with out-of-state students paying around $4,926. Typical student debt for cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor graduates is $9,087. Soon after graduation, cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor degree recipients from Odessa College generally make around $47,856. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Houston Community College landed the #23 spot for cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor value this year. Houston Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,040, with out-of-state students paying around $5,460. Typical student debt for cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor graduates is $23,061. Cosmetology, Barber/styling, & Nail Instructor graduates of Houston Community College earn a median of $40,365 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,061 median debt.
South Plains College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor 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, compared with $5,157 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor program here. Soon after graduation, cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor degree recipients from South Plains College generally make around $30,949. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hinds Community College placed #25 among the best values for cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor. Located in the rural area of Raymond, Hinds Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,250 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,781 to complete the cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor program here. Cosmetology, Barber/styling, & Nail Instructor graduates of Hinds Community College earn a median of $17,704 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Cosmetology, Barber/Styling, & Nail Instructor Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor this year:
Cosmetology, Barber/Styling, & Nail Instructor Related Rankings by Major
Cosmetology, Barber/Styling, & Nail Instructor is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. Browse the parent area of study.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 488 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 488 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).
[Cosmetology, Barber/Styling, & Nail Instructor](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/cosmetology/cosmetology-barber-styling-and-nail-instructor/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
