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Best Value Cosmetology Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region

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2023 Best Value Cosmetology Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region

Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing

60 Colleges
$14,072 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$18,316 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.

Today's students have lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.

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 Rocky Mountains Region ranking. Our analysis looked at 60 schools in the Rocky Mountains Region 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.

When determining this ranking, we place a high emphasis on the school's quality as well as its sticker price. Even though a college may be affordable, it may not offer value. 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.

Our calculations use out-of-state tuition and fees in our nationwide and regional rankings. For statewide rankings, we use average in-state tuition and fees.

2023 Best Value Cosmetology Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region

The colleges and universities below are the best value schools for cosmetology majors pursuing a .

Top 25 Best Rocky Mountains Region Schools for Affordable Quality in Cosmetology

$8,830 Average Tuition & Fees

Our 2023 rankings named Pickens Technical College the best value school in the Rocky Mountains Region for cosmetology students. Located in the city of Aurora, Pickens Technical College is a public college with a fairly small student population.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Pickens Technical College are $8,830 a year. After completing their degree, cosmetology graduates from Pickens Technical College carry an average student debtload of $9,347.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Pickens Technical College

#2

IBMC College

Fort Collins, CO
$14,580 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent programs at IBMC College helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best cosmetology schools in the Rocky Mountains Region . Located in the city of Fort Collins, IBMC is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

IBMC undergraduate students pay an average of $14,580 in tuition and fees each year. On average, cosmetology graduates from IBMC take out $10,457 in student loans while working on their degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $53.

Read full report on Cosmetology at IBMC College

$6,631 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Trinidad State Junior College is a great value for cosmetology students. Trinidad State Junior College is a small public school located in the town of Trinidad.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Trinidad State Junior College are $6,631 a year.

Read More…

#4

Arapahoe Community College

Littleton, CO

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Arapahoe Community College. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Arapahoe Community College is a fairly large public school located in the large suburb of Littleton.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Arapahoe Community College are $15,502 a year.

Full Cosmetology at Arapahoe Community College Report

#5

Idaho State University

Pocatello, ID
$25,326 Average Tuition & Fees

Out of the 60 schools in the Rocky Mountains Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Idaho State University landed the # 5 spot on the list. Located in the city of Pocatello, ISU is a public school with a large student population.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at ISU are $25,326 a year. Cosmetology majors at ISU take out an average of $8,695 in student loans while working on their egree.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Idaho State University

Skinworks School of Advanced Skincare landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value cosmetology programs. Skinworks School & Spa of Advanced Skincare is a small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Salt Lake City.

The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Skinworks School & Spa of Advanced Skincare take out is $7,667.

Read More…

Paul Mitchell the School Twin Falls 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 remote town of Twin Falls, Paul Mitchell the School Twin Falls is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

While working on their degree, cosmetology majors at Paul Mitchell the School Twin Falls accumulate an average of around $14,750 in student debt.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School Twin Falls

Aveda Institute - Provo ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Aveda Institute - Provo is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the medium-sized city of Provo.

On average, cosmetology graduates from Aveda Institute - Provo take out $10,216 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read More…

American Beauty Academy landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value cosmetology programs. Located in the suburb of Payson, American Beauty Academy is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

On average, cosmetology graduates from American Beauty Academy take out $9,500 in student loans while working on their degree.

Full Cosmetology at American Beauty Academy Report

Mr Leon’s School of Hair Design-Lewiston ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Located in the city of Lewiston, Mr Leon's School of Hair Design-Lewiston is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

Cosmetology majors at Mr Leon's School of Hair Design-Lewiston take out an average of $15,500 in student loans while working on their egree.

Full Cosmetology at Mr Leon’s School of Hair Design-Lewiston Report

Paul Mitchell the School Rexburg 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 distant town of Rexburg, Paul Mitchell the School Rexburg is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

After completing their degree, cosmetology graduates from Paul Mitchell the School Rexburg carry an average student debtload of $12,000.

Full Cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School Rexburg Report

Empire Beauty School-Littleton ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Empire Beauty School-Littleton is a small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Littleton.

Cosmetology majors at Empire Beauty School-Littleton take out an average of $10,667 in student loans while working on their egree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $41, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Cosmetology at Empire Beauty School-Littleton Report

The Salon Professional Academy landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value cosmetology programs. TSPA - Nampa is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Nampa.

The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at TSPA - Nampa take out is $12,000.

Full Cosmetology at The Salon Professional Academy Report

With a ranking of #6, Paul Mitchell the School Logan did quite well on this year’s best value schools for cosmetology students. Located in the small city of Logan, Paul Mitchell the School Logan is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

After completing their degree, cosmetology graduates from Paul Mitchell the School Logan carry an average student debtload of $10,556.

Full Cosmetology at Paul Mitchell the School Logan Report

Emily Griffith Technical College landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value cosmetology programs. Located in the city of Denver, Emily Griffith is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.

After completing their degree, cosmetology graduates from Emily Griffith carry an average student debtload of $10,954.

Read More…

Paul Mitchell the School Boise landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value cosmetology programs. Paul Mitchell the School Boise is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the city of Boise.

While working on their degree, cosmetology majors at Paul Mitchell the School Boise accumulate an average of around $12,000 in student debt.

Read More…

Ogden-Weber 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. Ogden-Weber Tech College is a small public school located in the city of Ogden.

The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Ogden-Weber Tech College take out is $7,581.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Ogden-Weber Technical College

Elevate Salon Institute - Westminster came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cosmetology Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. Located in the suburb of Westminster, Elevate Salon Institute - Westminster is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

The average amount in student loans that cosmetology majors at Elevate Salon Institute - Westminster take out is $14,250.

Read More…

Xenon International Academy-Denver 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 Aurora, Xenon International School of Hair Design is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

After completing their degree, cosmetology graduates from Xenon International School of Hair Design carry an average student debtload of $12,000.

Full Cosmetology at Xenon International Academy-Denver Report

With a ranking of #6, Butte Academy of Beauty Culture did quite well on this year’s best value schools for cosmetology students. Butte Academy of Beauty is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the remote town of Butte.

Cosmetology majors at Butte Academy of Beauty take out an average of $9,500 in student loans while working on their egree.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Butte Academy of Beauty Culture

Evans Hairstyling College-Rexburg did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for cosmetology students. It came in at #6 on the list. Evans Hairstyling College-Rexburg is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg.

While working on their degree, cosmetology majors at Evans Hairstyling College-Rexburg accumulate an average of around $9,294 in student debt.

Full Cosmetology at Evans Hairstyling College-Rexburg Report

With a ranking of #6, American Beauty Academy - West Valley Campus did quite well on this year’s best value schools for cosmetology students. American Beauty Academy - West Valley Campus is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of West Valley City.

Cosmetology majors at American Beauty Academy - West Valley Campus take out an average of $9,500 in student loans while working on their egree.

Full Cosmetology at American Beauty Academy - West Valley Campus Report

#6

Medspa Academies

South Jordan, UT

Medspa Academies came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cosmetology Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. National Institute of Medical Aesthetics is a small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of South Jordan.

After completing their degree, cosmetology graduates from National Institute of Medical Aesthetics carry an average student debtload of $12,125.

Read full report on Cosmetology at Medspa Academies

#6

The Barber School

Midvale, UT

The Barber School ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Cosmetology Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. The Barber School is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Midvale.

Cosmetology majors at The Barber School take out an average of $7,200 in student loans while working on their egree.

Full Cosmetology at The Barber School Report

#6

Academy of Cosmetology

Bozeman, MT

Academy of Cosmetology landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value cosmetology programs. Located in the town of Bozeman, Academy of Cosmetology is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

After completing their degree, cosmetology graduates from Academy of Cosmetology carry an average student debtload of $7,607.

Full Cosmetology at Academy of Cosmetology Report

Best Cosmetology Colleges by State

Explore the best cosmetology colleges for a specific state in the Rocky Mountains region.

State Degrees Awarded
Colorado 15
Utah 21
Wyoming 22

More Cosmetology Rankings in the Rocky Mountains Region

One of 4 majors within the area of study, cosmetology has other similar majors worth exploring.

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 60 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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