by our College Data Analytics Team
[Barbering/Barber](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/cosmetology/barbering-barber/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 10 schools to find the best return on investment for barbering/barber students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the barbering/barber degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in barbering/barber, no school beat Coahoma Community College this year. Set in the rural area of Clarksdale, Coahoma Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,490. Barbering/barber graduates carry a median of $11,745 in student loans. Early-career barbering/barber graduates make about $13,154. Set against $11,745 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hinds Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in barbering/barber, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Raymond, Hinds Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,250, while out-of-state students pay about $7,300. Students borrow a median of $9,781 to complete the barbering/barber program here. Soon after graduation, barbering/barber degree recipients from Hinds Community College generally make around $17,704. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes East Mississippi Community College one of the best values for barbering/barber. East Mississippi Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Scooba. Students from in state pay about $4,095 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,445. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the barbering/barber program here. Soon after graduation, barbering/barber degree recipients from East Mississippi Community College generally make around $12,128. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Pearl River Community College one of the best values for barbering/barber. Pearl River Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Poplarville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,700, while out-of-state students pay about $6,100. Students borrow a median of $13,482 to complete the barbering/barber program here. Early-career barbering/barber graduates make about $7,580. Set against $13,482 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chris Beauty College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in barbering/barber, landing the #5 spot this year. Chris Beauty College is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Gulfport. Barbering/barber graduates carry a median of $8,225 in student loans. Early-career barbering/barber graduates make about $14,801. That is a strong return on a $8,225 median debt.
Traxlers School Of Hair earned the #6 position for value in barbering/barber this year. Set in the city of Jackson, Traxlers School Of Hair is a small private for-profit institution. Barbering/barber graduates carry a median of $5,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, barbering/barber degree recipients from Traxlers School Of Hair generally make around $9,525. That is a strong return on a $5,250 median debt.
Fosters Cosmetology College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value barbering/barber schools. Located in the rural area of Ripley, Fosters Cosmetology College is a small private for-profit university.
Academy Of Hair Design Jackson came in at #8 for value in barbering/barber this year. Academy Of Hair Design Jackson is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Jackson. Barbering/barber graduates carry a median of $10,005 in student loans. Barbering/barber graduates of Academy Of Hair Design Jackson earn a median of $13,348 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,005 median debt.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.