by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/cosmetology/cosmetology-cosmetologist-general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 177 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees they offer, see the list below.
Skyline College tops our 2026 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools in the Far Western Region. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $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 Golden West College, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,380, while out-of-state students pay about $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.
College Of San Mateo is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general cosmetology/cosmetologist, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $12,831 in student loans. Median earnings reach $54,172 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist will find it at Clover Park Technical College, which ranked #4. Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Lakewood. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,634. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Clover Park Technical College generally make around $19,389. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Santa Monica College one of the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
Spokane Community College earned the #6 position for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the city of Spokane, Spokane Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,461, while out-of-state students pay about $6,612. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $7,980 in student loans. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Spokane Community College earn a median of $17,869 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,980 median debt.
Citrus College landed the #7 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist value this year. Citrus College is a large public school located in the suburb of Glendora. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,204, compared with $10,636 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,065 ten years after entry.
Cerritos College earned the #8 position for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $13,133. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sacramento City College came in at #9 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $13,180. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Sacramento City College earn a median of $18,184 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santiago Canyon College earned the #10 position for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,164, compared with $9,612 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 Santiago Canyon College earn a median of $34,100 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasadena City College came in at #11 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $38,841. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Butte College came in at #12 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the rural area of Oroville, Butte College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,356, while out-of-state students pay about $9,276. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $13,302. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Butte College earn a median of $67,048 early in their careers. Set against $13,302 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saddleback College placed #13 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $11,257 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
Riverside City College came in at #14 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,736 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Riverside City College earn a median of $13,431 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,736 median debt.
Gavilan College placed #15 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Located in the rural area of Gilroy, Gavilan College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,508, while out-of-state students pay about $12,249. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $5,939. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Gavilan College earn a median of $28,496 early in their careers. Set against $5,939 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Camino Community College District placed #16 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Set in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,144, compared with $7,630 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $41,589 ten years out.
Solano Community College came in at #17 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Solano Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Fairfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,172, with out-of-state students paying around $9,772. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,170 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt.
Honolulu Community College landed the #18 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist value this year. Located in the city of Honolulu, Honolulu Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,174, while out-of-state students pay about $8,310. Students borrow a median of $10,868 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Honolulu Community College generally make around $59,006. Set against $10,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Allan Hancock College landed the #19 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist value this year. Allan Hancock College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Maria. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,892 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,786 ten years out.
Fullerton College landed the #20 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist value this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, Fullerton College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,151 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,379. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,366 ten years after entry.
San Diego City College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. San Diego City College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $9,514 in student loans. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of San Diego City College earn a median of $13,445 early in their careers. Set against $9,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Olympic College landed the #22 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist value this year. Located in the city of Bremerton, Olympic College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,472 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,740. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $11,497. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Olympic College earn a median of $57,593 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,497 median debt.
Santa Barbara City College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Santa Barbara City College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Barbara. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,240, while out-of-state students pay about $10,432. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $21,090 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Santa Barbara City College generally make around $68,184. Set against $21,090 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Everett Community College earned the #24 position for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the city of Everett, Everett Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,032, with out-of-state students paying around $11,171. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $13,542 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Everett Community College generally make around $47,441. Set against $13,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Los Angeles Trade Technical College came in at #25 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Trade Technical College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,238 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,572. Students borrow a median of $14,833 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $53,553. That is a strong return on a $14,833 median debt.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general cosmetology/cosmetologist value ranking:
This list is compiled 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 · 177 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.