2027 Best Value General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Schools in Texas
[General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/cosmetology/cosmetology-cosmetologist-general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 119 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 Texas
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Schools
College Of The Mainland earned the #1 spot for value among general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools in Texas. Set in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,310 in tuition and fees, 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. Set against $5,711 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist will find it at Wharton County Junior College, which ranked #2. Wharton County Junior College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Wharton. In-state tuition and fees average $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.
Lamar State College Orange is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general cosmetology/cosmetologist, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Orange, Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,832, with out-of-state students paying around $13,824. Students borrow a median of $18,506 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Lamar State College Orange generally make around $45,299. Set against $18,506 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Midland College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general cosmetology/cosmetologist, landing the #4 spot this year. Midland College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Midland. In-state tuition and fees average $3,180, compared with $6,180 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $9,000. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $43,454. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Mclennan Community College one of the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Mclennan Community College is a large public school located in the city of Waco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $5,910. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $5,776 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Mclennan Community College generally make around $16,879. Set against $5,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Texas College came in at #6 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Students borrow a median of $6,868 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $30,227. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Del Mar College earned the #7 position for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,500, with out-of-state students paying around $6,050. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $7,476. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Del Mar College generally make around $13,099. That is a strong return on a $7,476 median debt.
Lamar State College Port Arthur landed the #8 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist value this year. Set in the city of Port Arthur, Lamar State College Port Arthur is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,770 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,070. 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.
Trinity Valley Community College earned the #9 position for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the town of Athens, Trinity Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,640, with out-of-state students paying around $5,970. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Trinity Valley Community College earn a median of $11,544 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
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. Students from in state pay about $2,520 in tuition and fees, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grayson College came in at #11 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Grayson College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Denison. In-state tuition and fees average $3,000, while out-of-state students pay about $6,300. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $11,627. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $18,598. That is a strong return on a $11,627 median debt.
Palo Alto College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Palo Alto College is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Students from in state pay about $3,412 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $9,430. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $29,062. Set against $9,430 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Howard College placed #13 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Set in the town of Big Spring, Howard College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,766 in tuition and fees, 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. That is a strong return on a $14,242 median debt.
El Paso Community College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,542 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $29,086. That is a strong return on a $8,542 median debt.
Kilgore College earned the #15 position for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the town of Kilgore, Kilgore College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,160, with out-of-state students paying around $5,256. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $9,500. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Kilgore College generally make around $15,957. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
North Central Texas College came in at #16 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. North Central Texas College is a large public school located in the town of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $3,600 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,739 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $6,812. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from North Central Texas College generally make around $10,963. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Houston Community College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,040, compared with $5,460 for out-of-state students. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $23,061 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Houston Community College generally make around $16,075. That is a strong return on a $23,061 median debt.
Odessa College landed the #18 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist value this year. Odessa College is a large public school located in the city of Odessa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,688, while out-of-state students pay about $4,926. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $9,087 in student loans. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Odessa College earn a median of $47,856 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Coastal Bend College placed #19 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Set in the town of Beeville, Coastal Bend College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,916, while out-of-state students pay about $5,226. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $14,609. Graduates go on to earn a median of $35,086 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $14,609 median debt.
Panola College came in at #20 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the town of Carthage, Panola College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,352, while out-of-state students pay about $5,232. Median earnings reach $36,072 ten years out.
Texarkana College ranked #21 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. Students from in state pay about $2,476 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,332. Students borrow a median of $5,450 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Texarkana College generally make around $33,707. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Plains College came in at #22 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the town of Levelland, South Plains College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,733, with out-of-state students paying around $5,157. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from South Plains College generally make around $11,557. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ranger College earned the #23 position for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the rural area of Ranger, Ranger College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,766, while out-of-state students pay about $9,066. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $12,749. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Ranger College generally make around $13,252. That is a strong return on a $12,749 median debt.
Laredo Community College earned the #24 position for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the city of Laredo, Laredo Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,300, compared with $5,748 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $6,000. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Laredo Community College earn a median of $41,354 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lone Star College System came in at #25 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Lone Star College System is a very large public school located in the city of The Woodlands. Students from in state pay about $2,664 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,512 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 Lone Star College System generally make around $18,887. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist:
More General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 119 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 119 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.
