2026 Best Value General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Schools in Mississippi
[General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/cosmetology/cosmetology-cosmetologist-general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. 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 26 schools to find the best return on investment for general cosmetology/cosmetologist students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Schools in Mississippi
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Schools
Leading the list is Coahoma Community College, our #1 best value for general cosmetology/cosmetologist in Mississippi. Located in the rural area of Clarksdale, Coahoma Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,490. Students borrow a median of $11,745 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Coahoma Community College generally make around $13,154. That is a strong return on a $11,745 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Southwest Mississippi Community College one of the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Located in the rural area of Summit, Southwest Mississippi Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,080, while out-of-state students pay about $6,780. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $21,057 in student loans. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $50,292. Set against $21,057 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Hinds Community College earned it the #3 place for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Set in the rural area of Raymond, Hinds Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,250 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,300. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $9,781 in student loans. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $17,704. That is a strong return on a $9,781 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at East Central Community College earned it the #4 place for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Located in the rural area of Decatur, East Central Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,990, with out-of-state students paying around $6,090. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $6,382. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $32,981. Set against $6,382 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist will find it at East Mississippi Community College, which ranked #5. East Mississippi Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Scooba. In-state tuition and fees average $4,095, compared with $7,445 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 East Mississippi Community College generally make around $12,128. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Copiah Lincoln Community College earned the #6 position for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the rural area of Wesson, Copiah Lincoln Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,200 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,200. Graduates go on to earn a median of $31,241 ten years after entry.
Pearl River Community College landed the #7 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist value this year. Pearl River Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Poplarville. Students from in state pay about $3,700 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,100. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $13,482. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $7,580. Set against $13,482 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest Mississippi Community College placed #8 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Located in the town of Senatobia, Northwest Mississippi Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,740. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $17,660. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Meridian Community College placed #9 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Located in the town of Meridian, Meridian Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,078, with out-of-state students paying around $6,478. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $10,368. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Meridian Community College earn a median of $17,559 early in their careers. Set against $10,368 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College landed the #10 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist value this year. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Perkinston. Students from in state pay about $4,250 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,850. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $11,653. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College generally make around $34,214. That is a strong return on a $11,653 median debt.
Jones County Junior College earned the #11 position for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Jones County Junior College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Ellisville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,700, while out-of-state students pay about $5,700. Students borrow a median of $9,559 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $10,046. Set against $9,559 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mississippi Institute Of Aesthetics Nails And Cosmetology landed the #12 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist value this year. Mississippi Institute Of Aesthetics Nails And Cosmetology is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Clinton. Students borrow a median of $5,616 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $15,875. That is a strong return on a $5,616 median debt.
Kcs School Of Hair Design placed #13 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Located in the rural area of Pontotoc, Kcs School Of Hair Design is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $9,833 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Kcs School Of Hair Design generally make around $13,206.
Delta Technical College placed #14 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Delta Technical College is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the suburb of Horn Lake. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $13,038 in student loans. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $15,576. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chris Beauty College placed #15 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Chris Beauty College is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Gulfport. Students borrow a median of $8,225 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Chris Beauty College earn a median of $14,801 early in their careers. Set against $8,225 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Traxlers School Of Hair placed #16 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Located in the city of Jackson, Traxlers School Of Hair is a small private for-profit university. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $5,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Traxlers School Of Hair generally make around $9,525. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fosters Cosmetology College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Located in the rural area of Ripley, Fosters Cosmetology College is a small private for-profit university.
Academy Of Hair Design Pearl landed the #18 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist value this year. Set in the suburb of Pearl, Academy Of Hair Design Pearl is a small private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $7,800. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Academy Of Hair Design Pearl earn a median of $15,440 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,800 median debt.
The Academy Of Hair Design Six ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. The Academy Of Hair Design Six is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Hattiesburg. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $10,500. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of The Academy Of Hair Design Six earn a median of $13,776 early in their careers. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Academy Of Hair Design Grenada came in at #20 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Academy Of Hair Design Grenada is a small private for-profit school located in the rural area of Grenada. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $10,005. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Academy Of Hair Design Grenada generally make around $13,348. Set against $10,005 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Corinth Academy Of Cosmetology ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Corinth Academy Of Cosmetology is a small private for-profit school located in the town of Corinth. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Corinth Academy Of Cosmetology generally make around $14,608. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt.
Blue Cliff College Gulfport earned the #22 position for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the city of Gulfport, Blue Cliff College Gulfport is a small private for-profit university. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $16,535. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Blue Cliff College Gulfport generally make around $15,719. Set against $16,535 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mississippi College Of Beauty Culture earned the #23 position for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the town of Laurel, Mississippi College Of Beauty Culture is a small private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $12,266. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $15,880. Set against $12,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
More General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Rankings
View All General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
