2027 Best Value General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Associate’s Degree 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 55 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Schools
For return on investment in general cosmetology/cosmetologist, no school beat Central Piedmont Community College this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,792 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $11,861 in student loans. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $40,629 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern Wyoming College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Set in the town of Torrington, Eastern Wyoming College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,290 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $7,690. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $24,995. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Monica College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general cosmetology/cosmetologist, landing the #3 spot 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, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
Students looking for strong value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist will find it at Golden West College, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,380, with out-of-state students paying around $11,628. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $82,984. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist will find it at Central New Mexico Community College, which ranked #5. 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, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $10,112. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $16,496 early in their careers. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Spokane Community College landed the #6 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist value this year. Spokane Community College is a large public school located in the city of Spokane. Students from in state pay about $5,461 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,980 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Spokane Community College earn a median of $17,869 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cerritos College landed the #7 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist value this year. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $13,133 early in their careers. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fayetteville Technical Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,628, compared with $8,772 for out-of-state students. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist 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.
Citrus College placed #9 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Set in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,204, while out-of-state students pay about $10,636. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,065.
Northeast Alabama Community College came in at #10 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the rural area of Rainsville, Northeast Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $8,910. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $7,459. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $35,119. Set against $7,459 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Coahoma Community College earned the #11 position for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Coahoma Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Clarksdale. In-state tuition and fees average $3,490. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $11,745. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Coahoma Community College earn a median of $12,693 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,745 median debt.
Gadsden State Community College earned the #12 position for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the city of Gadsden, Gadsden State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,272, compared with $7,368 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,312 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $34,710. That is a strong return on a $9,312 median debt.
Sandhills Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Sandhills Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Pinehurst. Students from in state pay about $2,040 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,648. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $9,238. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Sandhills Community College earn a median of $46,492 early in their careers. Set against $9,238 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lurleen B Wallace Community College placed #14 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Lurleen B Wallace Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Andalusia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,190, while out-of-state students pay about $9,060. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Lurleen B Wallace Community College generally make around $36,027. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Virginia University At Parkersburg earned the #15 position for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the rural area of Parkersburg, West Virginia University At Parkersburg is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,476, while out-of-state students pay about $9,424. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $15,595. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of West Virginia University At Parkersburg earn a median of $45,400 early in their careers. Set against $15,595 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Dupage came in at #16 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $12,750. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $12,492. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of College Of Dupage earn a median of $43,025 early in their careers. Set against $12,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest Shoals Community College placed #17 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Northwest Shoals Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Muscle Shoals. Students from in state pay about $5,131 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,001. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $13,312. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Northwest Shoals Community College earn a median of $33,842 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,312 median debt.
East Mississippi Community College came in at #18 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. East Mississippi Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Scooba. Students from in state pay about $4,095 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,445. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from East Mississippi Community College generally make around $12,128. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sampson Community College placed #19 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Sampson Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Clinton. Students from in state pay about $2,877 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,789 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,596 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist 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.
Robeson Community College placed #20 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Set in the town of Lumberton, Robeson Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,604, compared with $8,748 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,949 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $52,951. That is a strong return on a $9,949 median debt.
Fullerton College placed #21 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, Fullerton College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,151 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,366.
Palo Alto College came in at #22 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Palo Alto College is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Students from in state pay about $3,412 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $9,430 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Palo Alto College generally make around $29,062. That is a strong return on a $9,430 median debt.
Central Carolina Community College earned the #23 position for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,711 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,855. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $12,167. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $24,101. That is a strong return on a $12,167 median debt.
Hutchinson Community College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Located in the town of Hutchinson, Hutchinson Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,540, with out-of-state students paying around $4,770. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $18,148. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $17,437. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Camino Community College District landed the #25 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist value this year. El Camino Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of Torrance. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,144, while out-of-state students pay about $7,630. Median earnings reach $41,589 ten years out.
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:
Other General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist rankings across degree levels:
View All General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 55 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 55 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.
