2027 Best Value General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Schools in the The Plains States 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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general cosmetology/cosmetologist education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 83 schools to find the best return on investment for general cosmetology/cosmetologist students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Schools
Fort Scott Community College earned the #1 spot for value among general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools in the The Plains States Region. Set in the town of Fort Scott, Fort Scott Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,390, while out-of-state students pay about $3,840. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Fort Scott Community College generally make around $20,691. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Hutchinson Community College one of the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Set in the town of Hutchinson, Hutchinson Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,540, compared with $4,770 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,148 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $17,437. That is a strong return on a $18,148 median debt.
Dodge City Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general cosmetology/cosmetologist, landing the #3 spot this year. Dodge City Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Dodge City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,650, compared with $5,850 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $45,427.
Students looking for strong value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist will find it at Garden City Community College, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Garden City, Garden City Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,690, with out-of-state students paying around $4,320. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Garden City Community College generally make around $18,724. 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 Seward County Community College And Area Technical School, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Liberal, Seward County Community College And Area Technical School is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,032 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,408. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $9,175 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Seward County Community College And Area Technical School generally make around $53,375. Set against $9,175 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Washburn Institute Of Technology came in at #6 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the city of Topeka, Washburn Institute Of Technology is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,880 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $9,000. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Washburn Institute Of Technology earn a median of $22,547 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt.
Ridgewater College came in at #7 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Ridgewater College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Willmar. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,121. Students borrow a median of $9,750 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Ridgewater College earn a median of $21,574 early in their careers. Set against $9,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Riverland Community College came in at #8 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Riverland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Austin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,297. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $15,732 in student loans. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Riverland Community College earn a median of $49,194 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Independence Community College came in at #9 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the rural area of Independence, Independence Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $4,950. Students borrow a median of $7,302 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Independence Community College earn a median of $23,620 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Century College landed the #10 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist value this year. Century College is a large public school located in the suburb of White Bear Lake. Students from in state pay about $6,214 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,332 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Century College generally make around $47,502. That is a strong return on a $21,332 median debt.
Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College came in at #11 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,326. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $14,250 in student loans. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $32,987. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Minnesota West Community And Technical College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Located in the rural area of Granite Falls, Minnesota West Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,491. Students borrow a median of $8,730 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $17,767. Set against $8,730 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cowley County Community College placed #13 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Set in the town of Arkansas City, Cowley County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,600 for out-of-state students. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $9,312 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Cowley County Community College generally make around $34,099. Set against $9,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Minnesota State Community And Technical College landed the #14 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist value this year. Set in the rural area of Fergus Falls, Minnesota State Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,908 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $10,169 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Minnesota State Community And Technical College generally make around $24,367. That is a strong return on a $10,169 median debt.
Northwest Kansas Technical College came in at #15 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the town of Goodland, Northwest Kansas Technical College is a small public institution. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Northwest Kansas Technical College earn a median of $41,638 early in their careers.
Johnson County Community College landed the #16 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist value this year. Set in the city of Overland Park, Johnson County Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,424, with out-of-state students paying around $5,688. Students borrow a median of $5,424 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $21,250. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
La James College Of Hairstyling And Cosmetology earned the #17 position for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. La James College Of Hairstyling And Cosmetology is a small private for-profit school located in the town of Mason City. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $8,582 in student loans. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $23,313. That is a strong return on a $8,582 median debt.
Model College Of Hair Design ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Model College Of Hair Design is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Saint Cloud. Students borrow a median of $8,778 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $25,814. Set against $8,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Avalon School Of Cosmetology earned the #19 position for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the town of Worthington, Avalon School Of Cosmetology is a small private for-profit university. Graduates go on to earn a median of $28,336 ten years after entry.
Faust Institute Of Cosmetology Spirit Lake earned the #20 position for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Set in the town of Spirit Lake, Faust Institute Of Cosmetology Spirit Lake is a small private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Faust Institute Of Cosmetology Spirit Lake generally make around $20,098. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Warrensburg Area Career Center landed the #21 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist value this year. Set in the town of Warrensburg, Warrensburg Area Career Center is a small public institution. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $12,614. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $23,749. Set against $12,614 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Warrensburg Area Career Center admits about 100% of applicants.
Grabber School Of Hair Design came in at #22 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Grabber School Of Hair Design is a small private for-profit university. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $12,465. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Grabber School Of Hair Design earn a median of $22,626 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,465 median debt.
Josephs College Cosmetology placed #23 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Located in the city of Lincoln, Josephs College Cosmetology is a small private for-profit university. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Josephs College Cosmetology earn a median of $22,479 early in their careers. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Iowa School Of Beauty Des Moines earned the #24 position for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Located in the suburb of Des Moines, Iowa School Of Beauty Des Moines is a small private for-profit university. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $9,130 in student loans. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Iowa School Of Beauty Des Moines earn a median of $20,355 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The Salon Professional Academy St Charles landed the #25 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist value this year. Set in the suburb of St. Charles, The Salon Professional Academy St Charles is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $9,833 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of The Salon Professional Academy St Charles earn a median of $23,204 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,833 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:
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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 · 83 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 83 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.
