2027 Best Value General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Schools in New Mexico

[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 12 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 New Mexico
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Schools
Central New Mexico Community College earned the #1 spot for value among general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools in New Mexico. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,060, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $16,496. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Clovis Community College one of the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Clovis Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Clovis. In-state tuition and fees average $1,592, compared with $3,344 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $11,082. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Clovis Community College generally make around $44,390. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Luna Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Set in the rural area of Las Vegas, Luna Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,474, with out-of-state students paying around $3,418. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Luna Community College earn a median of $32,091 early in their careers.
University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general cosmetology/cosmetologist, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Gallup, University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,906, while out-of-state students pay about $5,682. Students borrow a median of $10,986 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $35,132. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at San Juan College earned it the #5 place for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Set in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,910, compared with $5,393 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $16,150. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from San Juan College generally make around $41,697. Set against $16,150 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New Mexico Junior College came in at #6 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the town of Hobbs, New Mexico Junior College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,440, compared with $2,280 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $9,986. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from New Mexico Junior College generally make around $50,220. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Glitz School Of Cosmetology Santa Fe Campus placed #7 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Glitz School Of Cosmetology Santa Fe Campus is a small private for-profit school located in the rural area of Santa Fe.
Avenue Academy A Cosmetology Institute came in at #8 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Avenue Academy A Cosmetology Institute is a small private for-profit university. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $6,416 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Avenue Academy A Cosmetology Institute generally make around $16,841.
Glitz School Of Cosmetology earned the #9 position for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the city of Las Cruces, Glitz School Of Cosmetology is a small private for-profit university. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $12,766. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Glitz School Of Cosmetology earn a median of $16,178 early in their careers.
Aveda Institute New Mexico came in at #10 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Aveda Institute New Mexico is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $9,862 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $18,842.
Toni And Guy Hairdressing Academy Albuquerque came in at #11 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Toni And Guy Hairdressing Academy Albuquerque is a small private for-profit university. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Toni And Guy Hairdressing Academy Albuquerque earn a median of $16,872 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt.
Vogue College Of Cosmetology Santa Fe landed the #12 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist value this year. Set in the city of Santa Fe, Vogue College Of Cosmetology Santa Fe is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Vogue College Of Cosmetology Santa Fe generally make around $16,854.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.