[General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/cosmetology/cosmetology-cosmetologist-general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general cosmetology/cosmetologist education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 1183 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general cosmetology/cosmetologist students.
Finding the Best Value General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist School for You
Where you study general cosmetology/cosmetologist affects both what you pay and what you earn. To help, we created our Best Value General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist 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.
Trident Technical College tops our 2027 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools in the United States. Located in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,546, while out-of-state students pay about $8,620. Students borrow a median of $18,116 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Trident Technical College generally make around $50,166. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes South Georgia Technical College one of the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Set in the town of Americus, South Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,992 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,202. Students borrow a median of $10,423 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $20,501. Set against $10,423 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist will find it at Pensacola State College, which ranked #3. Pensacola State College is a large public school located in the city of Pensacola. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,361, compared with $9,463 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Pensacola State College earn a median of $23,911 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Skyline College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.
Students looking for strong value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist will find it at Florida State College At Jacksonville, which ranked #5. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,657, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $13,577. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $29,668. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of San Mateo landed the #6 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist value this year. Set in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,428. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Median earnings reach $54,172 ten years out. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Mainland earned the #7 position for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,310, with out-of-state students paying around $4,140. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $5,711. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $18,495. Set against $5,711 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Piedmont Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $11,861. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $40,629. Set against $11,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Set in the rural area of Valdosta, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,480, compared with $6,048 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $10,864. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Wiregrass Georgia Technical College generally make around $19,659. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lake Land College came in at #10 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,415 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,301. Students borrow a median of $7,769 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Lake Land College generally make around $13,714. That is a strong return on a $7,769 median debt.
Indian River State College earned the #11 position for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,764, compared with $10,201 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,540 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Indian River State College earn a median of $18,411 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,540 median debt.
Santa Monica College placed #12 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
Fayetteville Technical Community College came in at #13 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,628, with out-of-state students paying around $8,772. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $5,500. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $40,584. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Chattahoochee Technical College landed the #14 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist value this year. Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Marietta. In-state tuition and fees average $3,540, compared with $6,108 for out-of-state students. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Chattahoochee Technical College earn a median of $16,767 early in their careers. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Golden West College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Golden West College is a large public school located in the suburb of Huntington Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,380, with out-of-state students paying around $11,628. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Golden West College earn a median of $82,984 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt.
Southern Regional Technical College earned the #16 position for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Thomasville. Students from in state pay about $3,007 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,575 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,086 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Southern Regional Technical College earn a median of $15,168 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wharton County Junior College landed the #17 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist value this year. Set in the town of Wharton, Wharton County Junior College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,192, with out-of-state students paying around $5,904. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $5,500. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Wharton County Junior College earn a median of $19,087 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
George C Wallace State Community College Dothan ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. George C Wallace State Community College Dothan is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dothan. In-state tuition and fees average $4,980, while out-of-state students pay about $8,850. Students borrow a median of $9,942 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of George C Wallace State Community College Dothan earn a median of $19,828 early in their careers. Set against $9,942 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Wyoming College placed #19 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Set in the town of Torrington, Eastern Wyoming College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,290, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,690 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Eastern Wyoming College generally make around $24,995. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Spokane Community College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Located in the city of Spokane, Spokane Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,461, with out-of-state students paying around $6,612. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $7,980 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Spokane Community College generally make around $17,869. Set against $7,980 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Crescent Technical College came in at #21 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Southern Crescent Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Griffin. Students from in state pay about $3,516 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,084 for out-of-state students. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $17,619 in student loans. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Southern Crescent Technical College earn a median of $45,062 early in their careers. Set against $17,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Coastal Pines Technical College placed #22 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Coastal Pines Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Waycross. Students from in state pay about $3,268 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,836. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $5,812 in student loans. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Coastal Pines Technical College earn a median of $39,090 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gadsden State Community College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Gadsden State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Gadsden. In-state tuition and fees average $4,272, with out-of-state students paying around $7,368. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $9,312. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Gadsden State Community College generally make around $19,107. Set against $9,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cleveland Community College landed the #24 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist value this year. Located in the town of Shelby, Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,602, compared with $8,746 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $7,131. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Cleveland Community College earn a median of $13,347 early in their careers. Set against $7,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College earned the #25 position for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the city of Rome, Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,300 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,868 for out-of-state students. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $8,492 in student loans. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Georgia Northwestern Technical College earn a median of $41,229 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,492 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year:
General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Related Rankings by Major
General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
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 · 1183 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1,183 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).
[General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/cosmetology/cosmetology-cosmetologist-general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general cosmetology/cosmetologist education at a price that pays off.
