2027 Best Value General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Schools in the Southwest Region
[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 178 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general cosmetology/cosmetologist students.
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2027 Best Value General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Schools
For return on investment in general cosmetology/cosmetologist, no school beat College Of The Mainland this year. College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Texas City. In-state tuition and fees average $2,310, compared with $4,140 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $5,711. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from College Of The Mainland generally make around $18,495. That is a strong return on a $5,711 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wharton County Junior College earned it the #2 place for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Set in the town of Wharton, Wharton County Junior College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,192, while out-of-state students pay about $5,904. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $19,087. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lamar State College Orange earned it the #3 place for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Located in the town of Orange, Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,832, compared with $13,824 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $18,506. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Lamar State College Orange earn a median of $45,299 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,506 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central New Mexico Community College earned it the #4 place for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,060, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $10,112. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $16,496 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Midland College earned it the #5 place for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Set in the city of Midland, Midland College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,180, with out-of-state students paying around $6,180. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Midland College earn a median of $43,454 early in their careers. Set against $9,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Texas College landed the #6 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist value this year. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $6,868 in student loans. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $30,227. That is a strong return on a $6,868 median debt.
Mclennan Community College came in at #7 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the city of Waco, Mclennan Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,910. Students borrow a median of $5,776 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $16,879. Set against $5,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Del Mar College came in at #8 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Del Mar College is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. Students from in state pay about $3,500 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,050. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $7,476 in student loans. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $13,099. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lamar State College Port Arthur came in at #9 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the city of Port Arthur, Lamar State College Port Arthur is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,770, compared with $8,070 for out-of-state students. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $33,385 in student loans. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $78,580. Set against $33,385 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lee College placed #10 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Located in the city of Baytown, Lee College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,520, while out-of-state students pay about $5,045. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $10,941 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Lee College generally make around $14,727. That is a strong return on a $10,941 median debt.
Trinity Valley Community College placed #11 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Located in the town of Athens, Trinity Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,640, with out-of-state students paying around $5,970. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $5,500. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Trinity Valley Community College earn a median of $11,544 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Palo Alto College earned the #12 position for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, Palo Alto College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,412, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $9,430 in student loans. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Palo Alto College earn a median of $29,062 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Paso Community College placed #13 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,274, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. Students borrow a median of $8,542 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $29,086. Set against $8,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grayson College earned the #14 position for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Grayson College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Denison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,000, compared with $6,300 for out-of-state students. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $11,627 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Grayson College generally make around $18,598. Set against $11,627 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Howard College landed the #15 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist value this year. Located in the town of Big Spring, Howard College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,766, compared with $6,716 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,242 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Howard College earn a median of $13,529 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kilgore College earned the #16 position for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the town of Kilgore, Kilgore College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,160, compared with $5,256 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Kilgore College earn a median of $15,957 early in their careers. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Clovis Community College came in at #17 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the town of Clovis, Clovis Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,592, while out-of-state students pay about $3,344. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $11,082 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Clovis Community College generally make around $44,390. Set against $11,082 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Central Texas College earned the #18 position for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the town of Gainesville, North Central Texas College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,600 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,739. Students borrow a median of $6,812 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from North Central Texas College generally make around $10,963. That is a strong return on a $6,812 median debt.
Houston Community College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,040 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,460. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $23,061 in student loans. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $16,075. That is a strong return on a $23,061 median debt.
Odessa College landed the #20 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist value this year. Set in the city of Odessa, Odessa College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,688, while out-of-state students pay about $4,926. Students borrow a median of $9,087 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Odessa College generally make around $47,856. That is a strong return on a $9,087 median debt.
University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus placed #21 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Located in the town of Gallup, University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,906, compared with $5,682 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $10,986. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $35,132. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Coastal Bend College earned the #22 position for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the town of Beeville, Coastal Bend College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,916, compared with $5,226 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $14,609. Median earnings reach $35,086 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $14,609 median debt.
San Juan College landed the #23 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist value this year. Set in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,910 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,393. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $16,150 in student loans. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $41,697. That is a strong return on a $16,150 median debt.
Texarkana College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Set in the city of Texarkana, Texarkana College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,476, compared with $5,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,450 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Texarkana College earn a median of $33,707 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Panola College placed #25 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Panola College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Carthage. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,352, with out-of-state students paying around $5,232. Median earnings reach $36,072 ten years out.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 178 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 178 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.
