2023 Best Value Cosmetology Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing
Finding the Best Cosmetology School for You
Out of all the majors we analyze each year, cosmetology was ranked #229 in the country. In fact 107,895 degrees and certificates were handed out in 2020-2021.
There are so many programs in today's world that it can tough to figure out which one is the right one for you. You can choose a traditional brick and mortar school, or with the growth of online education, you can attend a school half-way across the country without even leaving your house. Also there are many trade schools that offer short-term programs that open up more career options.
To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Course Advisor has developed this Best Value Cosmetology Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This report analyzed 157 schools in the Great Lakes Region to see which ones offered the best value programs for cosmetology students. The goal was to highlight schools with more affordable prices than others offering similar quality experiences.
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. Specifically, our score for quality is discounted by the published tuition and fees charged by the given college. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The more quality your dollar buys, the better the value.
For nationwide and regional rankings, we use out-of-state tuition and fees in our calculations. For statewide rankings, we use average in-state tuition and fees.
Top 25 Best Great Lakes Region Schools for Affordable Quality in Cosmetology
Our 2023 rankings named Chippewa Valley Technical College the best value school in the Great Lakes Region for cosmetology students. Located in the city of Eau Claire, CVTC is a public college with a medium-sized student population.
CVTC undergraduate students pay an average of $6,683 in tuition and fees each year. While working on their degree, cosmetology majors at CVTC accumulate an average of around $9,395 in student debt.
CVTC also claimed a spot on our Best Cosmetology Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools in this category.
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The excellent programs at Waukesha County Technical College helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best cosmetology schools in the Great Lakes Region . Located in the suburb of Pewaukee, WCTC is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at WCTC are $6,603 per year. On average, cosmetology graduates from WCTC take out $8,100 in student loans while working on their degree.
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Out of the 157 schools in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Madison Area Technical College landed the # 3 spot on the list. Located in the city of Madison, Madison College is a public college with a large student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Madison College are $6,769 a year. On average, cosmetology graduates from Madison College take out $8,250 in student loans while working on their degree.
In addition to its great value ranking, Madison College is in the top 5% of all schools on our Best Cosmetology Schools in the Great Lakes Region list.
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You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Mid-State Technical College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Cosmetology Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the rural area of Wisconsin Rapids, Mid-State is a public school with a small student population.
Mid-State undergraduate students pay an average of $6,351 in tuition and fees each year. After completing their degree, cosmetology graduates from Mid-State carry an average student debtload of $5,250.
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You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Cosmetology Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. WITC is a small public school located in the rural area of Shell Lake.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at WITC are $6,960 a year. While working on their degree, cosmetology majors at WITC accumulate an average of around $5,500 in student debt.
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Gateway Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for cosmetology students. It came in at #6 on the list. Gateway Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the medium-sized suburb of Kenosha.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Gateway Technical College are $6,803 per year. Cosmetology majors at Gateway Technical College take out an average of $9,500 in student loans while working on their egree.
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With a ranking of #7, Oakland Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for cosmetology students. Located in the large suburb of Bloomfield Hills, Oakland Community College is a public school with a large student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Oakland Community College are $5,200 per year.
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Fox Valley Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for cosmetology students. It came in at #8 on the list. FVTC is a fairly large public school located in the medium-sized suburb of Appleton.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at FVTC are $6,861 per year.
In addition to its great value ranking, FVTC is in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Cosmetology Schools in the Great Lakes Region list.
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With a ranking of #9, Milwaukee Area Technical College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for cosmetology students. MATC is a large public school located in the large city of Milwaukee.
MATC undergraduate students pay an average of $6,908 in tuition and fees each year. After completing their degree, cosmetology graduates from MATC carry an average student debtload of $9,432.
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Schoolcraft College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cosmetology Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in the small city of Livonia, Schoolcraft College is a public school with a medium-sized student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Schoolcraft College are $7,574 per year.
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Lake Land College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Lake Land College is a small public school located in the town of Mattoon.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Lake Land College are $13,906 per year. While working on their degree, cosmetology majors at Lake Land College accumulate an average of around $4,550 in student debt.
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Remington College - Cleveland Campus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for cosmetology students. It came in at #12 on the list. Remington College - Cleveland Campus is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Cleveland.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Remington College - Cleveland Campus are $17,919 per year. The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Remington College - Cleveland Campus take out is $14,750. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $48.
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Northern Michigan University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for cosmetology students. It came in at #13 on the list. Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public school located in the remote town of Marquette.
Northern Michigan University undergraduate students pay an average of $18,828 in tuition and fees each year. While working on their degree, cosmetology majors at Northern Michigan University accumulate an average of around $9,625 in student debt.
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With a ranking of #14, Vincennes University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for cosmetology students. Located in the remote town of Vincennes, Vincennes University is a public school with a large student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Vincennes University are $15,253 per year.
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City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the city of Chicago, Harry S Truman College is a public school with a small student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Harry S Truman College are $14,430 a year. While working on their degree, cosmetology majors at Harry S Truman College accumulate an average of around $22,237 in student debt.
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Dorsey College, Roseville landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value cosmetology programs. Located in the large suburb of Roseville, Dorsey College, Roseville is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Dorsey College, Roseville are $31,680 per year. Cosmetology majors at Dorsey College, Roseville take out an average of $16,500 in student loans while working on their egree.
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With a ranking of #17, Professional’s Choice Hair Design Academy did quite well on this year’s best value schools for cosmetology students. Located in the large suburb of Joliet, Professional's Choice Hair Design Academy is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.
The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Professional's Choice Hair Design Academy take out is $9,805.
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Paul Mitchell the School Columbus landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value cosmetology programs. Paul Mitchell the School Columbus is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Columbus.
On average, cosmetology graduates from Paul Mitchell the School Columbus take out $14,210 in student loans while working on their degree. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $97.
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Paul Mitchell the School Chicago ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Paul Mitchell the School Chicago is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large city of Chicago.
Cosmetology majors at Paul Mitchell the School Chicago take out an average of $13,833 in student loans while working on their egree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $122.
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Empire Beauty School-Stone Park ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Empire Beauty School-Stone Park is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Stone Park.
Cosmetology majors at Empire Beauty School-Stone Park take out an average of $14,506 in student loans while working on their egree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $73.
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First Class Cosmetology School came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cosmetology Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in the small city of Beloit, First Class Cosmetology School is a private for-profit school with a small student population.
After completing their degree, cosmetology graduates from First Class Cosmetology School carry an average student debtload of $10,194.
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Paul Mitchell the School Grand Rapids ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the small city of Kentwood, Paul Mitchell the School Grand Rapids is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.
The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Paul Mitchell the School Grand Rapids take out is $9,833.
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Raphael’s School of Beauty Culture Inc-Brunswick landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value cosmetology programs. Located in the large suburb of Brunswick, Raphael's School of Beauty Culture Inc-Brunswick is a private for-profit college with a small student population.
After completing their degree, cosmetology graduates from Raphael's School of Beauty Culture Inc-Brunswick carry an average student debtload of $11,000.
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Twin City Beauty College landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value cosmetology programs. Located in the small suburb of Saint Joseph, Twin City Beauty College is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.
On average, cosmetology graduates from Twin City Beauty College take out $9,500 in student loans while working on their degree. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $74.
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Hair Professionals Career College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Hair Professionals Career College is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Palos Hills.
Cosmetology majors at Hair Professionals Career College take out an average of $12,446 in student loans while working on their egree.
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Request InformationBest Cosmetology Colleges by State
Explore the best cosmetology schools for a specific state in the Great Lakes region.
| State | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|
| Michigan | 6 |
| Ohio | 15 |
| Illinois | 19 |
| Indiana | 8 |
| Wisconsin | 6 |
More Cosmetology Rankings in the Great Lakes Region
Majors Related to Cosmetology
One of 4 majors within the area of study, cosmetology has other similar majors worth exploring.
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 157 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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