2027 Best Value Cosmetology Associate’s Degree Schools
[Cosmetology](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/cosmetology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 60 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value cosmetology schools.
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2027 Best Value Cosmetology Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in cosmetology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Cosmetology Schools
For return on investment in cosmetology, no school beat Central Piedmont Community College this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,792, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,861 to complete the cosmetology program here. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $40,629. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Eastern Wyoming College one of the best values for cosmetology. Set in the town of Torrington, Eastern Wyoming College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,290 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Students borrow a median of $7,690 to complete the cosmetology program here. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Eastern Wyoming College generally make around $24,995. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Monica College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Golden West College earned it the #4 place for cosmetology. Set in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,380 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,628. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the cosmetology program here. Cosmetology graduates of Golden West College earn a median of $82,984 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central New Mexico Community College earned it the #5 place for cosmetology. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,060, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $10,112. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $16,496. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Spokane Community College placed #6 among the best values for cosmetology. Located in the city of Spokane, Spokane Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,461, with out-of-state students paying around $6,612. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $7,980. Cosmetology graduates of Spokane Community College earn a median of $17,869 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cerritos College landed the #7 spot for cosmetology value this year. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the cosmetology program here. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $13,133. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fayetteville Technical Community College came in at #8 for value in cosmetology this year. Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. Students from in state pay about $2,628 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,772. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the cosmetology program here. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Fayetteville Technical Community College generally make around $40,584. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Citrus College earned the #9 position for value in cosmetology this year. Citrus College is a large public school located in the suburb of Glendora. Students from in state pay about $1,204 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,636. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,065.
Northeast Alabama Community College came in at #10 for value in cosmetology this year. Located in the rural area of Rainsville, Northeast Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, compared with $8,910 for out-of-state students. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $7,459 in student loans. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $35,119. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Coahoma Community College came in at #11 for value in cosmetology this year. Coahoma Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Clarksdale. Students from in state pay about $3,490 in tuition and fees. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $11,745 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Coahoma Community College generally make around $12,693. That is a strong return on a $11,745 median debt.
Gadsden State Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Gadsden State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Gadsden. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,272, while out-of-state students pay about $7,368. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $9,312 in student loans. Cosmetology graduates of Gadsden State Community College earn a median of $19,107 early in their careers. Set against $9,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sandhills Community College came in at #13 for value in cosmetology this year. Set in the rural area of Pinehurst, Sandhills Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,040, while out-of-state students pay about $6,648. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $9,238 in student loans. Cosmetology graduates of Sandhills Community College earn a median of $46,492 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,238 median debt.
Lurleen B Wallace Community College placed #14 among the best values for cosmetology. Lurleen B Wallace Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Andalusia. Students from in state pay about $5,190 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,060. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $20,912. That is a strong return on a $7,500 median debt.
West Virginia University At Parkersburg came in at #15 for value in cosmetology this year. Set in the rural area of Parkersburg, West Virginia University At Parkersburg is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,476, compared with $9,424 for out-of-state students. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $15,595 in student loans. Cosmetology graduates of West Virginia University At Parkersburg earn a median of $45,400 early in their careers. Set against $15,595 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Dupage earned the #16 position for value in cosmetology this year. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $12,750. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $12,492 in student loans. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $43,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwest Shoals Community College earned the #17 position for value in cosmetology this year. Northwest Shoals Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Muscle Shoals. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,131, while out-of-state students pay about $9,001. Students borrow a median of $13,312 to complete the cosmetology program here. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Northwest Shoals Community College generally make around $33,842. That is a strong return on a $13,312 median debt.
Sampson Community College earned the #18 position for value in cosmetology 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. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $12,596 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Sampson Community College generally make around $45,929. Set against $12,596 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
East Mississippi Community College came in at #19 for value in cosmetology this year. East Mississippi Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Scooba. In-state tuition and fees average $4,095, compared with $7,445 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $5,500. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $12,128. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Robeson Community College earned the #20 position for value in cosmetology this year. Robeson Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Lumberton. In-state tuition and fees average $2,604, compared with $8,748 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $9,949. Cosmetology graduates of Robeson Community College earn a median of $52,951 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,949 median debt.
Fullerton College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Fullerton College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. In-state tuition and fees average $1,151, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,366.
Central Carolina Community College landed the #22 spot for cosmetology value 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, compared with $8,855 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,167 to complete the cosmetology program here. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Central Carolina Community College generally make around $24,101. Set against $12,167 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Palo Alto College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Located in the city of San Antonio, Palo Alto College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $9,430 in student loans. Cosmetology graduates of Palo Alto College earn a median of $29,062 early in their careers. Set against $9,430 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hutchinson Community College came in at #24 for value in cosmetology this year. Located in the town of Hutchinson, Hutchinson Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,540, while out-of-state students pay about $4,770. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $18,148. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Hutchinson Community College generally make around $17,437. That is a strong return on a $18,148 median debt.
Sacramento City College earned the #25 position for value in cosmetology this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $13,180 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Sacramento City College generally make around $18,184. Set against $13,180 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Cosmetology Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in cosmetology:
Other Cosmetology Degree Levels
Explore the best-value cosmetology schools at other degree levels:
View All Cosmetology Rankings >
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 · 60 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 60 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.
