2027 Best Value Cosmetology, Barber/Styling, & Nail Instructor Associate’s Degree Schools
[Cosmetology, Barber/Styling, & Nail Instructor](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/cosmetology/cosmetology-barber-styling-and-nail-instructor/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 10 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor schools.
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2027 Best Value Cosmetology, Barber/Styling, & Nail Instructor Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Cosmetology, Barber/Styling, & Nail Instructor Schools
Central Piedmont Community College earned the #1 spot for value among cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor schools in the United States. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. In-state tuition and fees average $2,792, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor graduates is $11,861. Early-career cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor graduates make about $40,629. That is a strong return on a $11,861 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Fayetteville Technical Community College earned it the #2 place for cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,628, compared with $8,772 for out-of-state students. Cosmetology, Barber/styling, & Nail Instructor graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor degree recipients from Fayetteville Technical Community College generally make around $40,584. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hutchinson Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Hutchinson, Hutchinson Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,540 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,770. Students borrow a median of $18,148 to complete the cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor program here. 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.
Central Carolina Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,711, with out-of-state students paying around $8,855. Students borrow a median of $12,167 to complete the cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor program here. Cosmetology, Barber/styling, & Nail Instructor graduates of Central Carolina Community College earn a median of $38,198 early in their careers. Set against $12,167 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sampson Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor schools. Set in the town of Clinton, Sampson Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,877, compared with $9,789 for out-of-state students. Cosmetology, Barber/styling, & Nail Instructor graduates carry a median of $12,596 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor degree recipients from Sampson Community College generally make around $45,929. That is a strong return on a $12,596 median debt.
Houston Community College came in at #6 for value in cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor this year. Houston Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $2,040, compared with $5,460 for out-of-state students. Cosmetology, Barber/styling, & Nail Instructor graduates carry a median of $31,123 in student loans. Early-career cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor graduates make about $40,365. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rowan Cabarrus Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor schools. Set in the suburb of Salisbury, Rowan Cabarrus Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,064, compared with $6,672 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor graduates is $16,500. Early-career cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor graduates make about $34,351. That is a strong return on a $16,500 median debt.
City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College came in at #8 for value in cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor this year. City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College is a large public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Students borrow a median of $11,458 to complete the cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor program here. Soon after graduation, cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College generally make around $27,158. Set against $11,458 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Jacinto Community College earned the #9 position for value in cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, San Jacinto Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,490 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,791 to complete the cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor program here. Soon after graduation, cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor degree recipients from San Jacinto Community College generally make around $38,107. Set against $8,791 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Wyoming College came in at #10 for value in cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor this year. Set in the town of Riverton, Central Wyoming College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800, compared with $11,100 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,820 to complete the cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor program here. Cosmetology, Barber/styling, & Nail Instructor graduates of Central Wyoming College earn a median of $65,164 early in their careers. Set against $12,820 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Other Cosmetology, Barber/Styling, & Nail Instructor Degree Levels
Explore the best-value cosmetology, barber/styling, & nail instructor schools at other degree levels:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 10 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
