2026 Best Value Cosmetology Associate’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Cosmetology associate’s degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 1613 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor reviewed schools to compile this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Cosmetology Associate’s Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the best-value schools below:
Our analysis found Clover Park Technical College to be the best-value Cosmetology school in the United States. Based in Lakewood, WA, Clover Park Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,634. Typical Cosmetology student debt is $11,000. Clover Park Technical College alumni report median earnings of $41,787 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Clover Park Technical College
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Johnson County Community College earned it the #2 place in the United States. Located in Overland Park, KS, Johnson County Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,424, with out-of-state students paying around $5,688. The median Cosmetology program debt is $5,424. Median earnings reach $45,387 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Johnson County Community College report
Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College came in at #3 on this year's best-value Cosmetology ranking in the United States. Set in Saint Paul, MN, Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,326 in tuition and fees. Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College Cosmetology students take on a median of $14,250 in debt. Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College alumni report median earnings of $38,399 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ridgewater College earned it the #4 place in the United States. Set in Willmar, MN, Ridgewater College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,121 in tuition and fees. Typical Cosmetology student debt is $9,750. Median earnings reach $43,827 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $9,750 median debt. Read the full report on Ridgewater College
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Waukesha County Technical College earned it the #5 place in the United States. Waukesha County Technical College is a public school based in Pewaukee, WI. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,803, while out-of-state students pay about $7,046. The median Cosmetology program debt is $9,750. Median earnings reach $46,894 ten years out. Set against $9,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Waukesha County Technical College
Lee College offered strong value this year, earning the #6 position. Lee College is a public school based in Baytown, TX. Students from in state pay about $2,520 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,045. Typical Cosmetology student debt is $10,941. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $42,178. That is a strong return on a $10,941 median debt. Read the full report on Lee College
Houston Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #7 position. This public school is set in Houston, TX. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,040, while out-of-state students pay about $5,460. Graduates carry a median of $23,061 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,254 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Houston Community College profile
Central New Mexico Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best-value Cosmetology schools. This public school is set in Albuquerque, NM. In-state tuition and fees average $2,060, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Central New Mexico Community College Cosmetology students take on a median of $10,112 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $36,869 ten years after entry. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Central New Mexico Community College
San Jacinto Community College came in at #9 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Pasadena, TX. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,490, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Students borrow a median of $8,791 to complete their Cosmetology program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,062. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full San Jacinto Community College report
Cerritos College landed the #10 spot for value in the United States this year. Cerritos College is a public school based in Norwalk, CA. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Typical Cosmetology student debt is $11,306. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $41,156. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full Cerritos College report
Lone Star College System landed the #12 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in The Woodlands, TX. In-state tuition and fees average $2,664, while out-of-state students pay about $7,512. Typical Cosmetology student debt is $5,500. Median earnings reach $42,466 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on Lone Star College System
Central Piedmont Community College came in at #13 in this year's value ranking. Based in Charlotte, NC, Central Piedmont Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,792, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. The median Cosmetology program debt is $11,861. Central Piedmont Community College alumni report median earnings of $37,865 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on Central Piedmont Community College
Central Carolina Community College landed the #14 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Sanford, NC. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,711, while out-of-state students pay about $8,855. Graduates carry a median of $12,167 in student loans. Central Carolina Community College alumni report median earnings of $33,525 a decade after entry. Set against $12,167 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Central Carolina Community College profile
Wake Technical Community College landed the #15 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Raleigh, NC, Wake Technical Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,254, with out-of-state students paying around $6,862. Wake Technical Community College Cosmetology students take on a median of $7,693 in debt. Wake Technical Community College alumni report median earnings of $41,769 a decade after entry. Set against $7,693 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Wake Technical Community College
Weatherford College offered strong value this year, earning the #16 position. Set in Weatherford, TX, Weatherford College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,250 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,860. The median Cosmetology program debt is $14,099. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $42,397. Set against $14,099 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Weatherford College
Schoolcraft College came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. Schoolcraft College is a public school based in Livonia, MI. Students from in state pay about $3,799 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,501. Graduates carry a median of $15,677 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $42,722. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Schoolcraft College
Douglas Education Center landed the #18 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Monessen, PA, Douglas Education Center is a private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $19,450. Graduates carry a median of $11,823 in student loans. Douglas Education Center alumni report median earnings of $30,814 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $11,823 median debt. Read the full report on Douglas Education Center
Citrus College placed #19 among the best-value Cosmetology schools in the United States. Set in Glendora, CA, Citrus College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,204, while out-of-state students pay about $10,636. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,065 ten years after entry. Get the full Citrus College report
Golden West College placed #20 among the best-value Cosmetology schools in the United States. Located in Huntington Beach, CA, Golden West College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,380, compared with $11,628 for out-of-state students. Golden West College Cosmetology students take on a median of $21,500 in debt. Golden West College alumni report median earnings of $43,145 a decade after entry. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Golden West College profile
Riverside City College came in at #21 in this year's value ranking. Riverside City College is a public school based in Riverside, CA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Typical Cosmetology student debt is $7,736. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,091. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Riverside City College profile
Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College landed the #22 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Asheville, NC. Students from in state pay about $2,882 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,026. Graduates carry a median of $18,883 in student loans. Median earnings reach $36,048 ten years out. Set against $18,883 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College
Los Angeles Trade Technical College came in at #23 in this year's value ranking. Los Angeles Trade Technical College is a public school based in Los Angeles, CA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,238, with out-of-state students paying around $10,572. Graduates carry a median of $14,833 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $35,233 ten years after entry. Set against $14,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Los Angeles Trade Technical College profile
San Diego City College came in at #24 in this year's value ranking. San Diego City College is a public school based in San Diego, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Typical Cosmetology student debt is $9,514. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,503. Set against $9,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on San Diego City College
Navarro College offered strong value this year, earning the #25 position. Set in Corsicana, TX, Navarro College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,008 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,578. Graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $38,716. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on Navarro College
Fayetteville Technical Community College ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best-value Cosmetology schools. This public school is set in Fayetteville, NC. Students from in state pay about $2,628 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,772. Typical Cosmetology student debt is $5,500. Fayetteville Technical Community College alumni report median earnings of $31,861 a decade after entry. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full Fayetteville Technical Community College report
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Cosmetology Associate’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also delivered strong value this year:
Remington College North Houston Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #29 position. Set in Houston, TX, Remington College North Houston Campus is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,373. Students borrow a median of $14,750 to complete their Cosmetology program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $31,349. That is a strong return on a $14,750 median debt. See the full Remington College North Houston Campus profile
Trinidad State Junior College came in at #30 in this year's value ranking. Based in Trinidad, CO, Trinidad State Junior College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,608, compared with $7,318 for out-of-state students. Trinidad State Junior College Cosmetology students take on a median of $10,502 in debt. Median earnings reach $36,475 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Trinidad State Junior College
Robeson Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #31 position. Robeson Community College is a public school based in Lumberton, NC. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,604, compared with $8,748 for out-of-state students. The median Cosmetology program debt is $9,949. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $29,036. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Robeson Community College profile
Southwestern Community College Sylva ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best-value Cosmetology schools. Southwestern Community College Sylva is a public school based in Sylva, NC. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,112, with out-of-state students paying around $13,184. Southwestern Community College Sylva Cosmetology students take on a median of $13,708 in debt. Southwestern Community College Sylva alumni report median earnings of $34,145 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $13,708 median debt. More on Southwestern Community College Sylva
Vincennes University placed #34 among the best-value Cosmetology schools in the United States. Located in Vincennes, IN, Vincennes University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,126, compared with $16,858 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,506 to complete their Cosmetology program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $41,110. That is a strong return on a $14,506 median debt. Read more about Vincennes University
Denmark Technical College placed #31 among the best-value Cosmetology schools in the United States. Get the full Denmark Technical College report
Empire Beauty School Vernon Hills offered strong value this year, earning the #32 position. See the full Empire Beauty School Vernon Hills profile
European Academy Of Cosmetology And Hairdressing came in at #33 in this year's value ranking. Read more about European Academy Of Cosmetology And Hairdressing
Moraine Park Technical College ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best-value Cosmetology schools. Get the full Moraine Park Technical College report
Nicolet Area Technical College came in at #35 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Nicolet Area Technical College
Panda Scholars Beauty School offered strong value this year, earning the #36 position. Get the full Panda Scholars Beauty School report
Paul Mitchell The School Salt Lake City ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best-value Cosmetology schools. Read the full report on Paul Mitchell The School Salt Lake City
Polaris Career Center ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best-value Cosmetology schools. Read the full report on Polaris Career Center
Red Rocks Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #39 position. More on Red Rocks Community College
Seguin Beauty School Seguin landed the #40 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Seguin Beauty School Seguin report
Textures Institute Of Cosmetology landed the #41 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Textures Institute Of Cosmetology
The Professional Hair Design Academy came in at #42 in this year's value ranking. More on The Professional Hair Design Academy
Adrian H Wallace Barber Academy came in at #43 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Adrian H Wallace Barber Academy
Edgecombe Community College came in at #44 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Edgecombe Community College
Esteem Academy Of Beauty placed #45 among the best-value Cosmetology schools in the United States. Get the full Esteem Academy Of Beauty report
Jenny Lea Academy Of Cosmetology Whitesburg landed the #46 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Jenny Lea Academy Of Cosmetology Whitesburg profile
Long Island Barber Institute landed the #47 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Long Island Barber Institute
Mandalyn Academy
Mandalyn Academy came in at #48 in this year's value ranking. See the full Mandalyn Academy profile
Mclennan Community College ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best-value Cosmetology schools. More on Mclennan Community College
Milan Institute Of Cosmetology Reno came in at #50 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Milan Institute Of Cosmetology Reno
Related Cosmetology Value Rankings
Compare value rankings at other degree levels:
- Best Value Cosmetology Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Cosmetology Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Cosmetology Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Cosmetology Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Cosmetology Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Cosmetology Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider 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 · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 1613 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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