by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 15 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.
For return on investment in cosmetology, no school beat Ridgewater College this year. Ridgewater College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Willmar. In-state tuition and fees average $6,121. Students borrow a median of $9,750 to complete the cosmetology program here. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Ridgewater College generally make around $21,574. Set against $9,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Riverland Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in cosmetology, landing the #2 spot this year. Riverland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Austin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,297. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $15,732 in student loans. Cosmetology 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.
Century College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Set in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,214. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $21,332 in student loans. Cosmetology graduates of Century College earn a median of $47,502 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,332 median debt.
Minnesota West Community And Technical College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value cosmetology schools. Set in the rural area of Granite Falls, Minnesota West Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,491. Students borrow a median of $8,730 to complete the cosmetology program here. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Minnesota West Community And Technical College generally make around $17,767. That is a strong return on a $8,730 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College earned it the #5 place for cosmetology. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,326. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $14,250 in student loans. Cosmetology graduates of Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College earn a median of $32,987 early in their careers. Set against $14,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Avalon School Of Cosmetology came in at #6 for value in cosmetology this year. Avalon School Of Cosmetology is a small private for-profit school located in the town of Worthington. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $28,336.
Model College Of Hair Design earned the #7 position for value in cosmetology this year. 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 cosmetology program here. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Model College Of Hair Design generally make around $25,814. Set against $8,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Minnesota State Community And Technical College earned the #8 position for value in cosmetology this year. Minnesota State Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Fergus Falls. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,908. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $10,169. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Minnesota State Community And Technical College generally make around $24,367. Set against $10,169 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Minnesota State College Southeast Technical placed #9 among the best values for cosmetology. Minnesota State College Southeast Technical is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Winona. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,432. Students borrow a median of $22,522 to complete the cosmetology program here. Cosmetology graduates of Minnesota State College Southeast Technical earn a median of $50,290 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,522 median debt.
Hastings Beauty School came in at #10 for value in cosmetology this year. Hastings Beauty School is a small private for-profit school located in the town of Hastings. Cosmetology graduates of Hastings Beauty School earn a median of $23,396 early in their careers.
Aveda Institute Minneapolis came in at #11 for value in cosmetology this year. Aveda Institute Minneapolis is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $9,941. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $24,230. That is a strong return on a $9,941 median debt.
Empire Beauty School Spring Lake Park earned the #12 position for value in cosmetology this year. Set in the suburb of Spring Lake Park, Empire Beauty School Spring Lake Park is a small private for-profit institution. Cosmetology graduates carry a median of $15,765 in student loans. Early-career cosmetology graduates make about $18,408. Set against $15,765 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Empire Beauty School Bloomington placed #13 among the best values for cosmetology. Located in the city of Bloomington, Empire Beauty School Bloomington is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $13,849 to complete the cosmetology program here. Cosmetology graduates of Empire Beauty School Bloomington earn a median of $18,639 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pci Academy Plymouth earned the #14 position for value in cosmetology this year. Located in the city of Plymouth, Pci Academy Plymouth is a small private for-profit university. Typical student debt for cosmetology graduates is $10,570. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Pci Academy Plymouth generally make around $24,178. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Nova Academy Of Cosmetology came in at #15 for value in cosmetology this year. Nova Academy Of Cosmetology is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Rochester. Students borrow a median of $9,999 to complete the cosmetology program here. Soon after graduation, cosmetology degree recipients from Nova Academy Of Cosmetology generally make around $25,754. That is a strong return on a $9,999 median debt.
The ranking above is published 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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.