2023 Best Value Cosmetology Schools in the Middle Atlantic 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.
It's not easy to decide which program to enroll in when you have so many options available. 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.
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 Middle Atlantic Region ranking. This report analyzed 118 schools in the Middle Atlantic 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.
Our ranking of value is based on the quality of a program as defined in our per sticker price dollar. 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.
In our regional and nationwide rankings, out-of-state tution and fees are used in our calculations. For statewide rankings, we use average in-state tuition and fees.
Top 25 Best Middle Atlantic Region Schools for Affordable Quality in Cosmetology
Our analysis found Laurel Business Institute to be the best value school for cosmetology students who want to pursue a degree in the Middle Atlantic Region . Located in the suburb of Uniontown, LBI is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at LBI are $10,970 per year. While working on their degree, cosmetology majors at LBI accumulate an average of around $12,000 in student debt.
Full Cosmetology at Laurel Business Institute Report
Request Information
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Penn Commercial Business/Technical School. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Cosmetology Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Located in the large suburb of Washington, Penn Commercial is a private for-profit college with a small student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Penn Commercial are $12,075 per year. The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Penn Commercial take out is $11,568. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $118, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
Read full report on Cosmetology at Penn Commercial Business/Technical School
Request Information
The excellent programs at Douglas Education Center helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best cosmetology schools in the Middle Atlantic Region . Douglas Education Center is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the small suburb of Monessen.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Douglas Education Center are $17,950 a year. While working on their degree, cosmetology majors at Douglas Education Center accumulate an average of around $10,934 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 $424.
Full Cosmetology at Douglas Education Center Report
Request Information
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Laurel Technical Institute. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Cosmetology Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. LTI - Meadville is a small private for-profit school located in the rural area of MEADVILLE.
LTI - Meadville undergraduate students pay an average of $10,582 in tuition and fees each year. On average, cosmetology graduates from LTI - Meadville take out $13,374 in student loans while working on their degree.
Read full report on Cosmetology at Laurel Technical Institute
Request Information
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Laurel Technical Institute. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Cosmetology Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Located in the rural area of Sharon, LTI Sharon is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at LTI Sharon are $11,028 a year. While working on their degree, cosmetology majors at LTI Sharon accumulate an average of around $13,374 in student debt.
Read full report on Cosmetology at Laurel Technical Institute
Request Information
Empire Beauty School-Center City Philadelphia came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cosmetology Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking. Empire Beauty School-Center City Philadelphia is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large city of Philadelphia.
While working on their degree, cosmetology majors at Empire Beauty School-Center City Philadelphia accumulate an average of around $13,502 in student debt. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $77, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
Read full report on Cosmetology at Empire Beauty School-Center City Philadelphia
Request Information
With a ranking of #6, Bucks County School of Beauty Culture Inc did quite well on this year’s best value schools for cosmetology students. Located in the suburb of Feasterville, Bucks County School of Beauty Culture Inc is a private for-profit school with a small student population.
Cosmetology majors at Bucks County School of Beauty Culture Inc take out an average of $10,409 in student loans while working on their egree.
Full Cosmetology at Bucks County School of Beauty Culture Inc Report
Request Information
The Salon Professional Academy - Washington DC landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value cosmetology programs. Located in the large city of Washington, TSPA - Washington DC is a private for-profit school with a small student population.
On average, cosmetology graduates from TSPA - Washington DC take out $8,646 in student loans while working on their degree.
Read full report on Cosmetology at The Salon Professional Academy - Washington DC
Request Information
Premier Barber Institute ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Premier Barber Institute is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Norristown.
Cosmetology majors at Premier Barber Institute take out an average of $13,583 in student loans while working on their egree.
Full Cosmetology at Premier Barber Institute Report
Request Information
Butler Beauty Academy - New Castle Beauty Academy landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value cosmetology programs. Located in the town of New Castle, Butler Beauty Academy - New Castle Beauty Academy is a private for-profit college with a small student population.
While working on their degree, cosmetology majors at Butler Beauty Academy - New Castle Beauty Academy accumulate an average of around $8,028 in student debt.
Read full report on Cosmetology at Butler Beauty Academy - New Castle Beauty Academy
Request Information
With a ranking of #6, Empire Beauty School-Buffalo did quite well on this year’s best value schools for cosmetology students. Located in the city of Cheektowaga, Empire Beauty School-Buffalo is a private for-profit school with a small student population.
The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Empire Beauty School-Buffalo take out is $13,502. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $77, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
Full Cosmetology at Empire Beauty School-Buffalo Report
Request Information
Capri Institute of Hair Design, Clifton ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Located in the large suburb of Clifton, Capri Institute of Hair Design, Clifton is a private for-profit college with a small student population.
On average, cosmetology graduates from Capri Institute of Hair Design, Clifton take out $8,510 in student loans while working on their degree.
Read full report on Cosmetology at Capri Institute of Hair Design, Clifton
Request Information
Aveda Institute - New York did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for cosmetology students. It came in at #6 on the list. Located in the large city of New York, Aveda Institute - New York is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.
On average, cosmetology graduates from Aveda Institute - New York 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 $100.
Request Information
Empire Beauty School-Cheltenham did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for cosmetology students. It came in at #6 on the list. Empire Beauty School-Cheltenham is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Wyncote.
On average, cosmetology graduates from Empire Beauty School-Cheltenham take out $13,583 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 $82.
Read full report on Cosmetology at Empire Beauty School-Cheltenham
Request Information
Atelier Esthetique Institute of Esthetics did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for cosmetology students. It came in at #6 on the list. Located in the large city of New York, Atelier Esthetique Institute of Esthetics is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.
The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Atelier Esthetique Institute of Esthetics take out is $6,333.
Read full report on Cosmetology at Atelier Esthetique Institute of Esthetics
Request Information
Empire Beauty School-Owings Mills ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Empire Beauty School-Owings Mills is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Owings Mills.
After completing their degree, cosmetology graduates from Empire Beauty School-Owings Mills carry an average student debtload of $13,583. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $74.
Full Cosmetology at Empire Beauty School-Owings Mills Report
Request Information
Arrojo Cosmetology School ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. NA Enterprises LLC d is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the city of New York.
While working on their degree, cosmetology majors at NA Enterprises LLC d accumulate an average of around $10,666 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 $112.
Request Information
Schuyler Steuben Chemung Tioga Allegany BOCES ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Greater Southern Tier BOCES is a small public school located in the rural area of Elmira.
The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Greater Southern Tier BOCES take out is $9,500.
Read full report on Cosmetology at Schuyler Steuben Chemung Tioga Allegany BOCES
Request Information
Midway Paris Beauty School came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cosmetology Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking. Located in the large city of Ridgewood, Midway Paris Beauty School is a private for-profit college with a small student population.
Cosmetology majors at Midway Paris Beauty School take out an average of $7,630 in student loans while working on their egree.
Full Cosmetology at Midway Paris Beauty School Report
Request Information
With a ranking of #6, Empire Beauty School-Union did quite well on this year’s best value schools for cosmetology students. Located in the large suburb of Union, Empire Beauty School-Union is a private for-profit college with a small student population.
The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Empire Beauty School-Union take out is $14,561. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $73, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
Request Information
With a ranking of #6, Western Suffolk BOCES did quite well on this year’s best value schools for cosmetology students. Located in the large suburb of Northport, Western Suffolk BOCES is a public school with a fairly small student population.
While working on their degree, cosmetology majors at Western Suffolk BOCES accumulate an average of around $6,870 in student debt.
Read full report on Cosmetology at Western Suffolk BOCES
Request Information
Bennett Career Institute did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for cosmetology students. It came in at #6 on the list. Located in the city of Washington, Bennett Career Institute is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.
The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Bennett Career Institute take out is $9,833.
Request Information
With a ranking of #6, Robert Fiance Beauty Schools-North Plainfield did quite well on this year’s best value schools for cosmetology students. Robert Fiance Beauty Schools-North Plainfield is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of North Plainfield.
On average, cosmetology graduates from Robert Fiance Beauty Schools-North Plainfield take out $7,796 in student loans while working on their degree.
Request Information
With a ranking of #6, Innovate Salon Academy did quite well on this year’s best value schools for cosmetology students. Located in the suburb of South Plainfield, Innovate Salon Academy is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.
Cosmetology majors at Innovate Salon Academy take out an average of $7,667 in student loans while working on their egree.
Request Information
Empire Beauty School-Pottsville came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cosmetology Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking. Located in the town of Pottsville, Empire Beauty School-Pottsville is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.
While working on their degree, cosmetology majors at Empire Beauty School-Pottsville accumulate an average of around $14,194 in student debt. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $80.
Full Cosmetology at Empire Beauty School-Pottsville Report
Request InformationBest Cosmetology Colleges by State
Explore the best cosmetology schools for a specific state in the Middle Atlantic region.
| State | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | 60 |
More Cosmetology Rankings in the Middle Atlantic Region
Majors Related to Cosmetology
One of 4 majors within the area of study, cosmetology has other similar majors worth exploring.
Majors Similar to Cosmetology
| 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 118 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.