2027 Best Value General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Schools in North Carolina
[General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/cosmetology/cosmetology-cosmetologist-general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 56 schools to find the best return on investment for general cosmetology/cosmetologist students.
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2027 Best Value General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Schools in North Carolina
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 Cleveland Community College, our #1 best value for general cosmetology/cosmetologist in North Carolina. Located in the town of Shelby, Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,602, while out-of-state students pay about $8,746. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $7,131 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Cleveland Community College generally make around $13,347. Set against $7,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Piedmont Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $11,861. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $40,629. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Johnston Community College one of the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Set in the town of Smithfield, Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,756, compared with $8,900 for out-of-state students. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $9,490 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Johnston Community College generally make around $37,472. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Edgecombe Community College one of the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Located in the rural area of Tarboro, Edgecombe Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,640, compared with $8,784 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $13,750. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $49,528. 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 Piedmont Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the rural area of Roxboro, Piedmont Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,556, while out-of-state students pay about $8,700. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Piedmont Community College generally make around $68,517. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Pamlico Community College came in at #6 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the rural area of Grantsboro, Pamlico Community College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,712, with out-of-state students paying around $12,928. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $30,005.
Robeson Community College landed the #7 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist value this year. Located in the town of Lumberton, Robeson Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,604 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,748. Students borrow a median of $9,949 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Robeson Community College generally make around $52,951. Set against $9,949 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fayetteville Technical Community College earned the #8 position for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,628, compared with $8,772 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 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.
James Sprunt Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Located in the rural area of Kenansville, James Sprunt Community College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,592, with out-of-state students paying around $8,736. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $11,278 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from James Sprunt Community College generally make around $35,264. Set against $11,278 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sampson Community College came in at #10 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Sampson Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Clinton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,877, while out-of-state students pay about $9,789. Students borrow a median of $12,596 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Sampson Community College generally make around $45,929. Set against $12,596 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Albemarle landed the #11 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist value this year. College Of The Albemarle is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Elizabeth City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,242, compared with $7,652 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $10,240. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of College Of The Albemarle earn a median of $50,506 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Craven Community College placed #12 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Set in the town of New Bern, Craven Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,022, while out-of-state students pay about $6,630. Students borrow a median of $8,924 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $7,388. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Martin Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Located in the town of Williamston, Martin Community College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,523, while out-of-state students pay about $8,667. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Martin Community College earn a median of $42,820 early in their careers.
Sandhills Community College earned the #14 position for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the rural area of Pinehurst, Sandhills Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,040, with out-of-state students paying around $6,648. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $9,238. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Sandhills Community College generally make around $46,492. That is a strong return on a $9,238 median debt.
Vance Granville Community College placed #15 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Vance Granville Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Henderson. Students from in state pay about $1,944 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,552. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $14,833. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Vance Granville Community College earn a median of $43,272 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Carolina Community College earned the #16 position for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Sanford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,711, with out-of-state students paying around $8,855. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $12,167 in student loans. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $24,101. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Surry Community College came in at #17 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the rural area of Dobson, Surry Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,668, compared with $8,812 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $9,537. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Surry Community College earn a median of $47,188 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,537 median debt.
Southwestern Community College Sylva placed #18 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Southwestern Community College Sylva is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Sylva. Students from in state pay about $4,112 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,184. Students borrow a median of $13,708 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $14,354. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Stanly Community College placed #19 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Albemarle. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,672, compared with $8,816 for out-of-state students. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Stanly Community College generally make around $41,920.
Mitchell Community College came in at #20 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Mitchell Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Statesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,651, with out-of-state students paying around $8,795. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $6,313. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $40,450. That is a strong return on a $6,313 median debt.
Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock landed the #21 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist value this year. Located in the suburb of Flat Rock, Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,660, with out-of-state students paying around $8,804. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $16,252. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $42,443. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gaston College came in at #22 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Gaston College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,186 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,330. Students borrow a median of $10,915 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Gaston College generally make around $27,008. That is a strong return on a $10,915 median debt.
Alamance Community College landed the #23 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist value this year. Set in the suburb of Graham, Alamance Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,592, compared with $8,736 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $6,625. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Alamance Community College earn a median of $37,585 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,625 median debt.
Western Piedmont Community College came in at #24 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the city of Morganton, Western Piedmont Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,650, compared with $8,794 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,999 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $46,883. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Beaufort County Community College came in at #25 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Beaufort County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Washington. In-state tuition and fees average $2,540, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $7,947. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Beaufort County Community College generally make around $38,009. That is a strong return on a $7,947 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year:
More General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 56 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 56 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.
