2026 Best Value General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Schools
[General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/cosmetology/cosmetology-cosmetologist-general/) 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.
College Factual analyzed 1415 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools.
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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. That is why we developed our Best Value General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist 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.
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We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the 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.
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2026 Best Value General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Schools
Our analysis ranked South Georgia Technical College the best value for a degree in general cosmetology/cosmetologist in the United States. South Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Americus. Students from in state pay about $3,992 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,202. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $10,423 in student loans. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of South Georgia Technical College earn a median of $20,501 early in their careers. 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 #2. Located in the city of Pensacola, Pensacola State College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,361 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,463. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Pensacola State College generally make around $23,911. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Skyline College earned it the #3 place for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Set in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public institution. 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.
Lake Land College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general cosmetology/cosmetologist, landing the #4 spot this year. 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, compared with $14,301 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $7,769. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $13,714. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida State College At Jacksonville came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,657 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,631. 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. That is a strong return on a $13,577 median debt.
Golden West College landed the #6 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist value this year. Golden West College is a large public school located in the suburb of Huntington Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $1,380, compared with $11,628 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Golden West College generally make around $82,984. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fayetteville Technical Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,628, compared with $8,772 for out-of-state students. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Fayetteville Technical Community College generally make around $40,584. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College came in at #8 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Valdosta. Students from in state pay about $3,480 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,048. Students borrow a median of $10,864 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $19,659. Set against $10,864 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Piedmont Community College came in at #9 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. 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 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.
Clover Park Technical College earned the #10 position for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Lakewood. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,634. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Clover Park Technical College generally make around $19,389. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Southern Crescent Technical College came in at #11 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the town of Griffin, Southern Crescent Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,516, while out-of-state students pay about $6,084. Students borrow a median of $17,619 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Southern Crescent Technical College generally make around $45,062. Set against $17,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Mainland ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Set in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,310, while out-of-state students pay about $4,140. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $5,711 in student loans. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $18,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of San Mateo ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, 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.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College came in at #14 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rome. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,300, compared with $5,868 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,492 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $41,229. That is a strong return on a $8,492 median debt.
Central New Mexico Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $16,496. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.
Southern Regional Technical College placed #16 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Located in the town of Thomasville, Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,007, while out-of-state students pay about $5,575. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $9,086. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $15,168. That is a strong return on a $9,086 median debt.
Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Located in the city of Warner Robins, Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,448 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,016. Students borrow a median of $7,217 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $39,765. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Carolina Community College landed the #18 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist value this year. Located in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,711, while out-of-state students pay about $8,855. Students borrow a median of $12,167 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Central Carolina Community College earn a median of $24,101 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ogeechee Technical College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Located in the town of Statesboro, Ogeechee Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,388, with out-of-state students paying around $5,956. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $11,894 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Ogeechee Technical College generally make around $17,660. Set against $11,894 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Monica College came in at #20 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
Wharton County Junior College came in at #21 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the town of Wharton, Wharton County Junior College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,192 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,904. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Wharton County Junior College earn a median of $19,087 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Trident Technical College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Set in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,546 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,620 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $18,116. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $50,166. Set against $18,116 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Citrus College came in at #23 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,204 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,636. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,065.
Indian River State College came in at #24 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,764, while out-of-state students pay about $10,201. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $9,540 in student loans. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Indian River State College earn a median of $18,411 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sacramento City College came in at #25 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $13,180. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $18,184. That is a strong return on a $13,180 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general cosmetology/cosmetologist value ranking:
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Notes and References
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 · 1415 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 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.
