by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/cosmetology/cosmetology-cosmetologist-general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general cosmetology/cosmetologist education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 125 schools to find the best return on investment for general cosmetology/cosmetologist students.
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.
For return on investment in general cosmetology/cosmetologist, no school beat Skyline College this year. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.
Golden West College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general cosmetology/cosmetologist, landing the #2 spot this year. Golden West College is a large public school located in the suburb of Huntington Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,380, while out-of-state students pay about $11,628. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $82,984. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of San Mateo earned it the #3 place for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Set in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, compared with $11,428 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $12,831. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,172. 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 Santa Monica College, which ranked #4. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
A rank of #5 makes Cerritos College one of the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $13,133. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.
Citrus College placed #6 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Citrus College is a large public school located in the suburb of Glendora. 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.
Santiago Canyon College placed #7 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Santiago Canyon College is a large public school located in the city of Orange. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,164, with out-of-state students paying around $9,612. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Santiago Canyon College generally make around $34,100. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Sacramento City College came in at #8 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $13,180 in student loans. 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.
Pasadena City College landed the #9 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist value this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $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.
Saddleback College came in at #10 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $11,257. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
Butte College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Butte College is a large public school located in the rural area of Oroville. 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. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Butte College generally make around $67,048. That is a strong return on a $13,302 median debt.
Gavilan College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Located in the rural area of Gilroy, Gavilan College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $1,508 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,249. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $5,939 in student loans. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $28,496. Set against $5,939 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Riverside City College placed #13 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Riverside City College is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $7,736. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Riverside City College generally make around $13,431. Set against $7,736 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Camino Community College District came in at #14 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist 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, compared with $7,630 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,589 ten years after entry.
Fullerton College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Median earnings reach $43,366 ten years out.
Solano Community College landed the #16 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist value this year. Solano Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Fairfield. In-state tuition and fees average $1,172, with out-of-state students paying around $9,772. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,170. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego City College landed the #17 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist value this year. San Diego City College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,514 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of San Diego City College earn a median of $13,445 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,514 median debt.
Allan Hancock College earned the #18 position for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Allan Hancock College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Maria. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $9,892. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,786.
Santa Barbara City College landed the #19 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist value this year. Located in the city of Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara City College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,240, with out-of-state students paying around $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. That is a strong return on a $21,090 median debt.
Los Angeles Trade Technical College came in at #20 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Trade Technical College is a very large public university. 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. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Los Angeles Trade Technical College generally make around $53,553. Set against $14,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Camino College Compton Center earned the #21 position for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. El Camino College Compton Center is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Compton. Students from in state pay about $1,142 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,822. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $34,181.
Barstow Community College landed the #22 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist value this year. Located in the town of Barstow, Barstow Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $1,104 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,744. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $5,588 in student loans. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $22,398. Set against $5,588 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Jose City College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. San Jose City College is a large public school located in the city of San Jose. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,366, with out-of-state students paying around $11,922. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $23,253.
Cinta Aveda Institute came in at #24 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Cinta Aveda Institute is a small private for-profit school located in the city of San Francisco. Students borrow a median of $10,554 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $17,592. That is a strong return on a $10,554 median debt.
Laney College came in at #25 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the city of Oakland, Laney College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,258, with out-of-state students paying around $9,898. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $37,282.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general cosmetology/cosmetologist value ranking:
The ranking above is published 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 · 125 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.