2023 Best Value Cosmetology Schools in California
Identifying Quality Schools at More Affordable Prices
Finding the Best Cosmetology School for You
Cosmetology is the #190 most popular major in California with 196 degrees and certificates awarded in 2020-2021.
When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for students. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country. On top of that, there are a considerable number of trade schools that offer fast-track entry to many fields.
Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Course Advisor has created the Best Value Cosmetology Schools in California to help you in your search for the best school for you. Our analysis looked at 89 schools in California to see which programs offered the best value experiences for cosmetology students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.
This ranking is not just a list of inexpensive schools. We also consider each school's quality, since we believe a low-quality school may not be a 'bargain' at any price. More specifically, we discount our quality score by the published tuition and fees charged by a school. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The value is determined by how much quality your dollar buys.
For nationwide and regional rankings, we use out-of-state tuition and fees in our calculations. Average in-state tuition and fees are used for our statewide rankings.
Top 25 Best California Schools for Affordable Quality in Cosmetology
Our analysis found Cerritos College to be the best value school for cosmetology students who want to pursue a degree in California. Cerritos College is a large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk.
Cerritos College undergraduate students pay an average of $1,346 in in-state tuition and fees each year.
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Out of the 89 schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, Riverside City College landed the # 2 spot on the list. Located in the large city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a public college with a fairly large student population.
In-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Riverside City College are $1,420 per year. On average, cosmetology graduates from Riverside City College take out $9,403 in student loans while working on their degree.
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The excellent programs at Citrus College helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best cosmetology schools in California. Citrus College is a medium-sized public school located in the suburb of Glendora.
Citrus College undergraduate students pay an average of $1,196 in in-state tuition and fees each year.
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Out of the 89 schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, Golden West College landed the # 4 spot on the list. Located in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a public college with a large student population.
Golden West College undergraduate students pay an average of $1,186 in in-state tuition and fees each year.
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A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Los Angeles Trade Technical College is a great value for cosmetology students. Los Angeles Trade Technical College is a medium-sized public school located in the large city of Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Trade Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $1,238 in in-state tuition and fees each year. Cosmetology majors at Los Angeles Trade Technical College take out an average of $9,500 in student loans while working on their egree.
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San Diego City College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Schools in California list. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a public school with a large student population.
The average tuition and fees for an in-state undergraduate at San Diego City College are $1,144 a year. Cosmetology majors at San Diego City College take out an average of $7,847 in student loans while working on their egree.
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Sierra College of Beauty ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Schools in California list. Sierra Beauty College is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the city of Merced.
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Milan Institute-Merced landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value cosmetology programs. Milan Institute-Merced is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the small city of Merced.
The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Milan Institute-Merced take out is $9,180. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $41.
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Bellus Academy - National City came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cosmetology Schools in California ranking. Bellus Academy is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large city of National City.
Cosmetology majors at Bellus Academy take out an average of $16,188 in student loans while working on their egree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $73, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
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Paul Mitchell the School Fresno did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for cosmetology students. It came in at #7 on the list. Paul Mitchell the School Fresno is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the city of Fresno.
After completing their degree, cosmetology graduates from Paul Mitchell the School Fresno carry an average student debtload of $10,556. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $43, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
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With a ranking of #7, J D Academy of Salon and Spa did quite well on this year’s best value schools for cosmetology students. J D Academy of Salon and Spa is a small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Danville.
While working on their degree, cosmetology majors at J D Academy of Salon and Spa accumulate an average of around $6,211 in student debt. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $70.
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Academy of Esthetics and Cosmetology landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value cosmetology programs. Located in the large suburb of San Fernando, Academy of Esthetics and Cosmetology is a private for-profit college with a small student population.
On average, cosmetology graduates from Academy of Esthetics and Cosmetology take out $5,583 in student loans while working on their degree.
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California Beauty School did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for cosmetology students. It came in at #7 on the list. Located in the medium-sized city of Modesto, California Beauty School is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.
On average, cosmetology graduates from California Beauty School take out $6,333 in student loans while working on their degree.
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Salon Success Academy - Redlands ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Schools in California list. Salon Success Academy - Redlands is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the small city of Redlands.
Cosmetology majors at Salon Success Academy - Redlands take out an average of $9,138 in student loans while working on their egree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $47.
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Moler Barber College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cosmetology Schools in California ranking. Moler Barber College is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large city of Oakland.
The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Moler Barber College take out is $14,000.
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With a ranking of #7, Alhambra Beauty College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for cosmetology students. Alhambra Beauty College is a private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Alhambra.
While working on their degree, cosmetology majors at Alhambra Beauty College accumulate an average of around $5,500 in student debt.
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Salon Success Academy - West Covina landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value cosmetology programs. Salon Success Academy - West Covina is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of West Covina.
The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Salon Success Academy - West Covina take out is $10,556. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $46.
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Hinton Barber and Beauty College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cosmetology Schools in California ranking. Located in the midsize city of Vallejo, Hinton Barber and Beauty College is a private for-profit college with a small student population.
Cosmetology majors at Hinton Barber and Beauty College take out an average of $16,034 in student loans while working on their egree.
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Career Academy of Beauty came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cosmetology Schools in California ranking. Located in the suburb of Garden Grove, Career Academy of Beauty is a private for-profit college with a small student population.
On average, cosmetology graduates from Career Academy of Beauty take out $7,000 in student loans while working on their degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $44.
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Lytles Redwood Empire Beauty College Inc came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cosmetology Schools in California ranking. Located in the suburb of Santa Rosa, Lytle's Beauty College is a private for-profit college with a small student population.
Cosmetology majors at Lytle's Beauty College take out an average of $10,191 in student loans while working on their egree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $115.
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Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy-Santa Monica came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cosmetology Schools in California ranking. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy-Santa Monica is a private for-profit college with a small student population.
On average, cosmetology graduates from Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy-Santa Monica take out $12,659 in student loans while working on their degree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $53, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
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With a ranking of #7, Advance Beauty Techs Academy did quite well on this year’s best value schools for cosmetology students. ABT ACADEMY is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the city of San Jacinto.
After completing their degree, cosmetology graduates from ABT ACADEMY carry an average student debtload of $7,658.
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Adrian’s College of Beauty Turlock came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cosmetology Schools in California ranking. Adrian's College of Beauty Turlock is a small private for-profit school located in the small suburb of Turlock.
After completing their degree, cosmetology graduates from Adrian's College of Beauty Turlock carry an average student debtload of $9,500. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $106.
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With a ranking of #7, Santa Ana Beauty Academy did quite well on this year’s best value schools for cosmetology students. Santa Ana Beauty Academy is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Santa Ana.
After completing their degree, cosmetology graduates from Santa Ana Beauty Academy carry an average student debtload of $5,229.
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Cosmo Beauty Academy came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cosmetology Schools in California ranking. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, CBA is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.
Cosmetology majors at CBA take out an average of $7,556 in student loans while working on their egree.
Request InformationBest Value Cosmetology Colleges in the Far Western US Region
Explore all the Best Value Cosmetology Schools in the Far Western US Area or other specific states within that region.
| State | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|
| Washington | 152 |
| Oregon | 11 |
| Hawaii | 20 |
More Cosmetology Rankings in California
Cosmetology Related Majors for Cosmetology
Cosmetology is one of 4 different types of programs to choose from.
Most Popular Related Majors
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Culinary Arts | 19,806 |
| Funeral & Mortuary Science | 2,354 |
| Casino Operations and Services | 192 |
| Other Personal & Culinary Services | 81 |
Notes and References
*These averages are for the top 89 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 the rest 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).
- Credit for the banner image above goes to Tiffany Bumgardner.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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