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Best Value Cosmetology Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

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2023 Best Value Cosmetology Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing

118 Colleges
$12,521 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$17,981 Avg Salary

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.

2023 Best Value Cosmetology Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

Check out the cosmetology programs at these schools if you want to get the best value for your educational dollar.

Top 25 Best Middle Atlantic Region Schools for Affordable Quality in Cosmetology

#1

Laurel Business Institute

Uniontown, PA
$10,970 Average Tuition & Fees

Our 2023 rankings named Laurel Business Institute the best value school in the Middle Atlantic Region for cosmetology students. Located in the suburb of Uniontown, LBI is a private for-profit college with a 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

$12,075 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent programs at Penn Commercial Business/Technical School helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best cosmetology schools in the Middle Atlantic Region . Located in the suburb of Washington, Penn Commercial is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

Penn Commercial undergraduate students pay an average of $12,075 in tuition and fees each 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 More…

#3

Douglas Education Center

Monessen, PA
$17,950 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Douglas Education Center. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Cosmetology Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Douglas Education Center is a small private for-profit school located in the 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

#4

Laurel Technical Institute

MEADVILLE, PA
$10,582 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Laurel Technical Institute is a great value for cosmetology students. LTI - Meadville is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the rural area of MEADVILLE.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at LTI - Meadville are $10,582 a year. On average, cosmetology graduates from LTI - Meadville take out $13,374 in student loans while working on their degree.

Full Cosmetology at Laurel Technical Institute Report

$11,028 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Laurel Technical Institute. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Located in the rural area of Sharon, LTI Sharon is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

LTI Sharon undergraduate students pay an average of $11,028 in tuition and fees each year. While working on their degree, cosmetology majors at LTI Sharon accumulate an average of around $13,374 in student debt.

Read More…

Atelier Esthetique Institute of Esthetics landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value cosmetology programs. 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.

Full Cosmetology at Atelier Esthetique Institute of Esthetics Report

Bucks County School of Beauty Culture Inc landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value cosmetology programs. Located in the large suburb of Feasterville, Bucks County School of Beauty Culture Inc is a private for-profit school with a fairly 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.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Bucks County School of Beauty Culture Inc

The Salon Professional Academy - Washington DC ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Located in the large city of Washington, TSPA - Washington DC is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

On average, cosmetology graduates from TSPA - Washington DC take out $8,646 in student loans while working on their degree.

Full Cosmetology at The Salon Professional Academy - Washington DC Report

#6

Premier Barber Institute

Norristown, PA

Premier Barber Institute landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value cosmetology programs. Premier Barber Institute is a 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.

Read More…

With a ranking of #6, Butler Beauty Academy - New Castle Beauty Academy did quite well on this year’s best value schools for cosmetology students. Located in the fringe town of New Castle, Butler Beauty Academy - New Castle Beauty Academy is a private for-profit school 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 More…

#6

Empire Beauty School-Buffalo

Cheektowaga, NY

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 small 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.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Empire Beauty School-Buffalo

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 suburb of Clifton, Capri Institute of Hair Design, Clifton is a private for-profit school with a fairly 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.

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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 city of New York, Aveda Institute - New York is a private for-profit school with a 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.

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With a ranking of #6, Empire Beauty School-Cheltenham did quite well on this year’s best value schools for cosmetology students. Empire Beauty School-Cheltenham is a small private for-profit school located in the large 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 More…

Empire Beauty School-Center City Philadelphia ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Empire Beauty School-Center City Philadelphia is a 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 More…

With a ranking of #6, Empire Beauty School-Owings Mills did quite well on this year’s best value schools for cosmetology students. Empire Beauty School-Owings Mills is a small private for-profit school located in the large 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.

Read More…

Arrojo Cosmetology School did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for cosmetology students. It came in at #6 on the list. NA Enterprises LLC d is a 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.

Read More…

With a ranking of #6, Schuyler Steuben Chemung Tioga Allegany BOCES did quite well on this year’s best value schools for cosmetology students. 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

#6

Midway Paris Beauty School

Ridgewood, NY

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 school 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

Empire Beauty School-Union ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Located in the large suburb of Union, Empire Beauty School-Union is a private for-profit school 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.

Read More…

#6

Western Suffolk BOCES

Northport, NY

Western Suffolk BOCES ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Located in the large suburb of Northport, Western Suffolk BOCES is a public school with a small student population.

While working on their degree, cosmetology majors at Western Suffolk BOCES accumulate an average of around $6,870 in student debt.

Full Cosmetology at Western Suffolk BOCES Report

#6

Bennett Career Institute

Washington, DC

With a ranking of #6, Bennett Career Institute did quite well on this year’s best value schools for cosmetology students. Located in the city of Washington, Bennett Career Institute is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Bennett Career Institute take out is $9,833.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Bennett Career Institute

Robert Fiance Beauty Schools-North Plainfield came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cosmetology Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking. 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.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Robert Fiance Beauty Schools-North Plainfield

#6

Innovate Salon Academy

South Plainfield, NJ

Innovate Salon Academy ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Located in the suburb of South Plainfield, Innovate Salon Academy is a private for-profit college 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.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Innovate Salon Academy

Empire Beauty School-Pottsville ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Located in the distant town of Pottsville, Empire Beauty School-Pottsville is a private for-profit school with a 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

Best 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

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.

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