by our College Data Analytics Team
[Cosmetology](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/cosmetology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 24 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for cosmetology students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the cosmetology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Clover Park Technical College the best value for a degree in cosmetology in Washington. Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Lakewood. In-state tuition and fees average $6,634. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $11,000. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $19,389. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in cosmetology will find it at Spokane Community College, which ranked #2. Spokane Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Spokane. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,461, with out-of-state students paying around $6,612. Students borrow a median of $7,980 to complete the cosmetology program here. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Spokane Community College generally make around $17,869. Set against $7,980 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Olympic College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in cosmetology, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Bremerton, Olympic College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,472 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,740. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $11,497. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Olympic College generally make around $57,593. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Everett Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Everett Community College is a large public school located in the city of Everett. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,032, compared with $11,171 for out-of-state students. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $13,542 in student loans. Cosmetology graduates of Everett Community College earn a median of $47,441 early in their careers. Set against $13,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Gene Juarez Academy Of Beauty Federal Way one of the best values for cosmetology. Gene Juarez Academy Of Beauty Federal Way is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Federal Way. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $10,555. Cosmetology graduates of Gene Juarez Academy Of Beauty Federal Way earn a median of $23,084 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Evergreen Beauty And Barber College Everett ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Set in the city of Everett, Evergreen Beauty And Barber College Everett is a small private for-profit institution. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $9,164 in student loans. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $23,420. Set against $9,164 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Stylemaster College Of Hair Design ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Stylemaster College Of Hair Design is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Longview. Students borrow a median of $11,048 to complete the cosmetology program here. Cosmetology graduates of Stylemaster College Of Hair Design earn a median of $18,413 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,048 median debt.
Aveda Institute Portland Vancouver Campus ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Set in the city of Vancouver, Aveda Institute Portland Vancouver Campus is a small private for-profit institution. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $10,556 in student loans. Cosmetology graduates of Aveda Institute Portland Vancouver Campus earn a median of $21,907 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,556 median debt.
Toni And Guy Hairdressing Academy Shoreline ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Set in the suburb of Shoreline, Toni And Guy Hairdressing Academy Shoreline is a small private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $12,344. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $25,497. That is a strong return on a $12,344 median debt.
Elite Cosmetology Barber And Spa Academy landed the #10 spot for cosmetology value this year. Located in the city of Yakima, Elite Cosmetology Barber And Spa Academy is a small private for-profit university. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $9,510 in student loans.
Victorias Academy Of Cosmetology earned the #11 position for value in cosmetology this year. Victorias Academy Of Cosmetology is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Kennewick. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $9,500. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $19,806. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Studio Beauty School placed #12 among the best values for cosmetology. Located in the city of Spokane Valley, Studio Beauty School is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $7,917 to complete the cosmetology program here. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Studio Beauty School generally make around $17,110.
Paul Mitchell The School Spokane came in at #13 for value in cosmetology this year. Set in the city of Spokane Valley, Paul Mitchell The School Spokane is a small private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $10,556. Cosmetology graduates of Paul Mitchell The School Spokane earn a median of $24,554 early in their careers. Set against $10,556 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Summit Salon Academy Tacoma landed the #14 spot for cosmetology value this year. Located in the city of Tacoma, Summit Salon Academy Tacoma is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the cosmetology program here. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $22,595. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Paul Mitchell The School Richland placed #15 among the best values for cosmetology. Set in the city of Richland, Paul Mitchell The School Richland is a small private for-profit institution. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $10,556 in student loans. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $20,689. Set against $10,556 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gary Manuel Aveda Institute came in at #16 for value in cosmetology this year. Gary Manuel Aveda Institute is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Seattle. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $10,111 in student loans. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $21,785. Set against $10,111 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.