[General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/cosmetology/cosmetology-cosmetologist-general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 381 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general cosmetology/cosmetologist students.
Our analysis ranked Trident Technical College the best value for a degree in general cosmetology/cosmetologist in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,546, 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.
South Georgia Technical College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. South Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Americus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,992, while out-of-state students pay about $7,202. Students borrow a median of $10,423 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from South Georgia Technical College generally make around $20,501. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College earned it the #3 place for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Set in the rural area of Valdosta, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,480, while out-of-state students pay about $6,048. Students borrow a median of $10,864 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Wiregrass Georgia Technical College earn a median of $19,659 early in their careers. Set against $10,864 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pensacola State College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Located in the city of Pensacola, Pensacola State College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,361, compared with $9,463 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Pensacola State College generally make around $23,911. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Florida State College At Jacksonville one of the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. In-state tuition and fees average $2,657, with out-of-state students paying around $9,631. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $13,577 in student loans. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Florida State College At Jacksonville earn a median of $29,668 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Piedmont Community College placed #6 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. In-state tuition and fees average $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $11,861 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $40,629. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Regional Technical College came in at #7 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Thomasville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,007, with out-of-state students paying around $5,575. Students borrow a median of $9,086 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Southern Regional Technical College generally make around $15,168. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indian River State College came in at #8 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, compared with $10,201 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $9,540 median debt.
George C Wallace State Community College Dothan earned the #9 position for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the city of Dothan, George C Wallace State Community College Dothan is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,980, while out-of-state students pay about $8,850. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $9,942 in student loans. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of George C Wallace State Community College Dothan earn a median of $19,828 early in their careers. Set against $9,942 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Coastal Pines Technical College earned the #10 position for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the town of Waycross, Coastal Pines Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,268, with out-of-state students paying around $5,836. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $5,812 in student loans. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $39,090. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cleveland Community College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Set in the town of Shelby, Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,602 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,746. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $7,131. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $13,347. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chattahoochee Technical College landed the #12 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist value this year. Located in the suburb of Marietta, Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,540, with out-of-state students paying around $6,108. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $9,500. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $16,767. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fayetteville Technical Community College landed the #13 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist value this year. Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. Students from in state pay about $2,628 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,772 for out-of-state students. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $40,584. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Coahoma Community College placed #14 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Located in the rural area of Clarksdale, Coahoma Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,490 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $11,745 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Coahoma Community College earn a median of $13,154 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Georgia Technical College landed the #15 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist value this year. Set in the rural area of Waco, West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,410, compared with $5,978 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $8,500. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of West Georgia Technical College earn a median of $11,925 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gadsden State Community College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Set in the city of Gadsden, Gadsden State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,272, while out-of-state students pay about $7,368. Students borrow a median of $9,312 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Gadsden State Community College generally make around $19,107. Set against $9,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Atlanta Technical College placed #17 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Set in the city of Atlanta, Atlanta Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,382, while out-of-state students pay about $5,950. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $16,324 in student loans. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $17,157. That is a strong return on a $16,324 median debt.
West Virginia University At Parkersburg came in at #18 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. Students from in state pay about $5,476 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,424. Students borrow a median of $15,595 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $45,400. That is a strong return on a $15,595 median debt.
Northeast Alabama Community College placed #19 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Set in the rural area of Rainsville, Northeast Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, compared with $8,910 for out-of-state students. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $7,459 in student loans. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $35,119. That is a strong return on a $7,459 median debt.
Chipola College came in at #20 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the town of Marianna, Chipola College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,120, with out-of-state students paying around $8,950. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $9,097 in student loans. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $43,599. That is a strong return on a $9,097 median debt.
Southern Crescent Technical College landed the #21 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist value this year. Set in the town of Griffin, Southern Crescent Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,516 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,084. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $17,619. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $45,062. Set against $17,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Columbus Technical College placed #22 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,052 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,262. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $15,845. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $19,094. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
East Central Community College earned the #23 position for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the rural area of Decatur, East Central Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,990, with out-of-state students paying around $6,090. Students borrow a median of $6,382 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of East Central Community College earn a median of $32,981 early in their careers. Set against $6,382 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College landed the #24 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist value this year. Located in the city of Rome, Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,300, with out-of-state students paying around $5,868. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $8,492 in student loans. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $41,229. Set against $8,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Johnston Community College came in at #25 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the town of Smithfield, Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,756, compared with $8,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,490 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $37,472. Set against $9,490 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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:
The ranking above is published 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 · 381 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 381 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).
[General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/cosmetology/cosmetology-cosmetologist-general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
