2023 Best Value Cosmetology Schools in Pennsylvania
Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing
Finding the Best Cosmetology School for You
Cosmetology is the #214 most popular major in Pennsylvania with 60 degrees and certificates awarded 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.
Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Course Advisor has created the Best Value Cosmetology Schools in Pennsylvania to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 42 schools in Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania. Located in the small suburb of Uniontown, LBI is a private for-profit college with a small student population.
In-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at LBI are $10,970 per year. The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at LBI take out is $12,000.
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A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Penn Commercial Business/Technical School is a great value for cosmetology students. Located in the suburb of Washington, Penn Commercial is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.
Penn Commercial undergraduate students pay an average of $12,075 in in-state tuition and fees each year. Cosmetology majors at Penn Commercial take out an average of $11,568 in student loans while working on their egree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $118.
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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 Pennsylvania list. Douglas Education Center is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Monessen.
The average tuition and fees for an in-state undergraduate at Douglas Education Center are $17,950 a year. The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Douglas Education Center take out is $10,934. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $424, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
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Out of the 42 schools in Pennsylvania that were part of this year’s ranking, Laurel Technical Institute landed the # 4 spot on the list. LTI - Meadville is a small private for-profit school located in the rural area of MEADVILLE.
In-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at LTI - Meadville are $10,582 per year. While working on their degree, cosmetology majors at LTI - Meadville accumulate an average of around $13,374 in student debt.
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The excellent programs at Laurel Technical Institute helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best cosmetology schools in Pennsylvania. Located in the rural area of Sharon, LTI Sharon is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.
The average tuition and fees for an in-state undergraduate at LTI Sharon are $11,028 a year. The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at LTI Sharon take out is $13,374.
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Empire Beauty School-Harrisburg 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 suburb of Harrisburg, Empire Beauty School-Harrisburg is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.
On average, cosmetology graduates from Empire Beauty School-Harrisburg take out $13,502 in student loans while working on their degree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $77.
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Barber School of Pittsburgh came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cosmetology Schools in Pennsylvania ranking. Located in the large city of Pittsburgh, Barber School of Pittsburgh is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.
On average, cosmetology graduates from Barber School of Pittsburgh take out $13,583 in student loans while working on their degree.
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Empire Beauty School-West Mifflin ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Schools in Pennsylvania list. Empire Beauty School-West Mifflin is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of West Mifflin.
While working on their degree, cosmetology majors at Empire Beauty School-West Mifflin accumulate an average of around $13,583 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 $74.
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With a ranking of #6, The Beauty Institute did quite well on this year’s best value schools for cosmetology students. The Beauty Institute is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Allentown.
On average, cosmetology graduates from The Beauty Institute take out $11,620 in student loans while working on their degree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $42, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
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Butler Beauty Academy - Kittanning Beauty Academy ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Schools in Pennsylvania list. Butler Beauty Academy - Kittanning Beauty Academy is a small private for-profit school located in the distant town of Kittanning.
While working on their degree, cosmetology majors at Butler Beauty Academy - Kittanning Beauty Academy accumulate an average of around $8,028 in student debt.
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Altoona Beauty School Inc ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Schools in Pennsylvania list. Located in the city of Altoona, Altoona Beauty School Inc is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.
While working on their degree, cosmetology majors at Altoona Beauty School Inc accumulate an average of around $7,957 in student debt.
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Lancaster School of Cosmetology & Therapeutic Bodywork landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value cosmetology programs. Lancaster School of Cosmetology & Therapeutic Bodywork is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Lancaster.
On average, cosmetology graduates from Lancaster School of Cosmetology & Therapeutic Bodywork take out $6,986 in student loans while working on their degree.
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Butler Beauty Academy landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value cosmetology programs. Butler Beauty Academy is a small private for-profit school located in the town of Butler.
The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Butler Beauty Academy take out is $8,028.
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Venus Beauty Academy ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Schools in Pennsylvania list. Located in the large suburb of Sharon Hill, Venus Beauty Academy is a private for-profit school with a small student population.
On average, cosmetology graduates from Venus Beauty Academy take out $10,677 in student loans while working on their degree.
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With a ranking of #6, Empire Beauty School-Wyoming Valley did quite well on this year’s best value schools for cosmetology students. Located in the suburb of Moosic, Empire Beauty School-Wyoming Valley is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.
While working on their degree, cosmetology majors at Empire Beauty School-Wyoming Valley accumulate an average of around $13,583 in student debt. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $82, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
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Empire Beauty School-Lebanon 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-Lebanon is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the small suburb of Lebanon.
After completing their degree, cosmetology graduates from Empire Beauty School-Lebanon carry an average student debtload of $13,502. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $77.
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Empire Beauty School-Pottsville came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cosmetology Schools in Pennsylvania ranking. Located in the distant town of Pottsville, Empire Beauty School-Pottsville is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.
The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Empire Beauty School-Pottsville take out is $14,194. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $80.
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Fountain of Youth Academy of Cosmetology ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Schools in Pennsylvania list. Located in the suburb of Mars, Fountain of Youth Academy of Cosmetology is a private for-profit school with a small student population.
The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Fountain of Youth Academy of Cosmetology take out is $13,583.
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The Beauty School came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cosmetology Schools in Pennsylvania ranking. Located in the small suburb of Stroudsburg, The Beauty School is a private for-profit school with a small student population.
On average, cosmetology graduates from The Beauty School take out $11,670 in student loans while working on their degree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $56, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
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With a ranking of #6, Jean Madeline Aveda Institute did quite well on this year’s best value schools for cosmetology students. Jean Madeline Education Center of Cosmetology is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia.
Cosmetology majors at Jean Madeline Education Center of Cosmetology take out an average of $12,028 in student loans while working on their egree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $96, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
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Empire Beauty School-York ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Schools in Pennsylvania list. Empire Beauty School-York is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the suburb of York.
Cosmetology majors at Empire Beauty School-York take out an average of $13,583 in student loans while working on their egree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $82, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
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Empire Beauty School-North Hills ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Schools in Pennsylvania list. Empire Beauty School-North Hills is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Pittsburgh.
Cosmetology majors at Empire Beauty School-North Hills take out an average of $13,502 in student loans while working on their egree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $77.
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Great Lakes Institute of Technology 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 medium-sized suburb of Erie, Great Lakes Institute of Technology is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.
On average, cosmetology graduates from Great Lakes Institute of Technology take out $11,928 in student loans while working on their degree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $107, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
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Empire Beauty School-Springfield landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value cosmetology programs. Empire Beauty School-Springfield is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Springfield.
After completing their degree, cosmetology graduates from Empire Beauty School-Springfield carry an average student debtload of $13,583. 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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South Hills Beauty Academy Inc landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value cosmetology programs. Located in the suburb of Pittsburgh, South Hills Beauty Academy Inc is a private for-profit college with a small student population.
Cosmetology majors at South Hills Beauty Academy Inc take out an average of $7,486 in student loans while working on their egree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $53.
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These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Value Cosmetology Schools in Pennsylvania award.
| Rank | College | Location |
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Best Value Cosmetology Colleges in the Middle Atlantic Region
Explore all the Best Value Cosmetology Schools in the Middle Atlantic Area or other specific states within that region.
| State | Degrees Awarded |
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More Cosmetology Rankings in Pennsylvania
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 42 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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