by our College Data Analytics Team
[Cosmetology](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/cosmetology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 25 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value cosmetology schools.
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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.
Coahoma Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value cosmetology schools in Mississippi. 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 $13,154. That is a strong return on a $11,745 median debt.
East Central Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in cosmetology, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Decatur, East Central Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,990, compared with $6,090 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $6,382. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $32,981. That is a strong return on a $6,382 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in cosmetology will find it at Copiah Lincoln Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the rural area of Wesson, Copiah Lincoln Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,200, with out-of-state students paying around $5,200. Median earnings reach $31,241 ten years out.
A rank of #4 makes Southwest Mississippi Community College one of the best values for cosmetology. Set in the rural area of Summit, Southwest Mississippi Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,080, while out-of-state students pay about $6,780. Students borrow a median of $21,057 to complete the cosmetology program here. Cosmetology graduates of Southwest Mississippi Community College earn a median of $50,292 early in their careers. Set against $21,057 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
East Mississippi Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in cosmetology, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Scooba, East Mississippi Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,095, while out-of-state students pay about $7,445. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $5,500. Cosmetology graduates of East Mississippi Community College earn a median of $12,128 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hinds Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Set in the rural area of Raymond, Hinds Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,250, with out-of-state students paying around $7,300. Students borrow a median of $9,781 to complete the cosmetology program here. Cosmetology graduates of Hinds Community College earn a median of $17,704 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,781 median debt.
Holmes Community College earned the #7 position for value in cosmetology this year. Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Goodman. In-state tuition and fees average $3,710, with out-of-state students paying around $6,610. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $13,191. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Holmes Community College generally make around $13,865. Set against $13,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Jones County Junior College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Located in the town of Ellisville, Jones County Junior College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,700, compared with $5,700 for out-of-state students. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $9,559 in student loans. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $10,046. Set against $9,559 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Meridian Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Located in the town of Meridian, Meridian Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,078, compared with $6,478 for out-of-state students. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $10,368 in student loans. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $17,559. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwest Mississippi Community College earned the #10 position for value in cosmetology this year. Located in the town of Senatobia, Northwest Mississippi Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,740. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Cosmetology graduates of Northwest Mississippi Community College earn a median of $17,660 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pearl River Community College landed the #11 spot for cosmetology value this year. Pearl River Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Poplarville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,700, while out-of-state students pay about $6,100. Students borrow a median of $13,482 to complete the cosmetology program here. Cosmetology graduates of Pearl River Community College earn a median of $7,580 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College earned the #12 position for value in cosmetology this year. Set in the rural area of Perkinston, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,250, while out-of-state students pay about $7,850. Students borrow a median of $11,653 to complete the cosmetology program here. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $34,214. That is a strong return on a $11,653 median debt.
Mississippi Institute Of Aesthetics Nails And Cosmetology earned the #13 position for value in cosmetology this year. Located in the suburb of Clinton, Mississippi Institute Of Aesthetics Nails And Cosmetology is a small private for-profit university. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $5,616 in student loans. Cosmetology graduates of Mississippi Institute Of Aesthetics Nails And Cosmetology earn a median of $15,875 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,616 median debt.
Blue Cliff College Gulfport ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Blue Cliff College Gulfport is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Gulfport. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $16,535 in student loans. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $15,719. That is a strong return on a $16,535 median debt.
Kcs School Of Hair Design came in at #15 for value in cosmetology this year. Kcs School Of Hair Design is a small private for-profit school located in the rural area of Pontotoc. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $9,833 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Kcs School Of Hair Design generally make around $13,206.
Academy Of Hair Design Pearl came in at #16 for value in cosmetology this year. Academy Of Hair Design Pearl is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Pearl. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $7,800. Cosmetology graduates of Academy Of Hair Design Pearl earn a median of $15,440 early in their careers. Set against $7,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Delta Technical College placed #17 among the best values for cosmetology. Delta Technical College is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the suburb of Horn Lake. Students borrow a median of $13,038 to complete the cosmetology program here. Cosmetology graduates of Delta Technical College earn a median of $15,576 early in their careers. Set against $13,038 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The Academy Of Hair Design Six came in at #18 for value in cosmetology this year. Located in the city of Hattiesburg, The Academy Of Hair Design Six is a small private for-profit university. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from The Academy Of Hair Design Six generally make around $13,776. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Traxlers School Of Hair landed the #19 spot for cosmetology value this year. Set in the city of Jackson, Traxlers School Of Hair is a small private for-profit institution. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $5,250 in student loans. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $9,525. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Academy Of Hair Design Jackson placed #20 among the best values for cosmetology. Academy Of Hair Design Jackson is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Jackson. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $10,005 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Academy Of Hair Design Jackson generally make around $13,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fosters Cosmetology College placed #21 among the best values for cosmetology. Fosters Cosmetology College is a small private for-profit school located in the rural area of Ripley.
Academy Of Hair Design Grenada came in at #22 for value in cosmetology this year. Academy Of Hair Design Grenada is a small private for-profit school located in the rural area of Grenada. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $10,005 in student loans. Cosmetology graduates of Academy Of Hair Design Grenada earn a median of $13,348 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chris Beauty College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Set in the city of Gulfport, Chris Beauty College is a small private for-profit institution. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $8,225 in student loans. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $14,801. Set against $8,225 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Corinth Academy Of Cosmetology came in at #24 for value in cosmetology this year. Corinth Academy Of Cosmetology is a small private for-profit school located in the town of Corinth. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Corinth Academy Of Cosmetology generally make around $14,608. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt.
Mississippi College Of Beauty Culture landed the #25 spot for cosmetology value this year. Located in the town of Laurel, Mississippi College Of Beauty Culture is a small private for-profit university. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $12,266 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Mississippi College Of Beauty Culture generally make around $15,880. That is a strong return on a $12,266 median debt.
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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.