Find Trade Colleges
2026 Best Value Cosmetology Associate’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Cosmetology associate’s degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 1613 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
So you can compare your options, Trade College reviewed schools to compile this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Cosmetology Associate’s Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
Clover Park Technical College earned the #1 spot in this year's best-value ranking in the United States. This public school is set in Lakewood, WA. Students from in state pay about $6,634 in tuition and fees. Typical Cosmetology student debt is $11,000. Clover Park Technical College alumni report median earnings of $41,787 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt. Get the full Clover Park Technical College report
Out of the 1613 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Johnson County Community College landed the #2 spot. Based in Overland Park, KS, Johnson County Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,424, with out-of-state students paying around $5,688. Graduates carry a median of $5,424 in student loans. Johnson County Community College alumni report median earnings of $45,387 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $5,424 median debt. Read more about Johnson County Community College
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College earned it the #3 place in the United States. Set in Saint Paul, MN, Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,326. Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College Cosmetology students take on a median of $14,250 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $38,399. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College profile
Ridgewater College came in at #4 on this year's best-value Cosmetology ranking in the United States. Set in Willmar, MN, Ridgewater College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,121 in tuition and fees. Ridgewater College Cosmetology students take on a median of $9,750 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,827. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on Ridgewater College
Waukesha County Technical College came in at #5 on this year's best-value Cosmetology ranking in the United States. Located in Pewaukee, WI, Waukesha County Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,803, while out-of-state students pay about $7,046. Students borrow a median of $9,750 to complete their Cosmetology program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $46,894. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on Waukesha County Technical College
Lee College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best-value Cosmetology schools. Located in Baytown, TX, Lee College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,520, while out-of-state students pay about $5,045. The median Cosmetology program debt is $10,941. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,178 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $10,941 median debt. More on Lee College
Houston Community College landed the #7 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Houston, TX. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,040, with out-of-state students paying around $5,460. Graduates carry a median of $23,061 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,254. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on Houston Community College
Central New Mexico Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #8 position. Based in Albuquerque, NM, Central New Mexico Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Central New Mexico Community College alumni report median earnings of $36,869 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Central New Mexico Community College profile
San Jacinto Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #9 position. This public school is set in Pasadena, TX. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,490, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. San Jacinto Community College Cosmetology students take on a median of $8,791 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $43,062. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full San Jacinto Community College profile
Cerritos College offered strong value this year, earning the #10 position. Based in Norwalk, CA, Cerritos College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,156 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Cerritos College
Lone Star College System landed the #12 spot for value in the United States this year. Lone Star College System is a public school based in The Woodlands, TX. Students from in state pay about $2,664 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,512. The median Cosmetology program debt is $5,500. Median earnings reach $42,466 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt. See the full Lone Star College System profile
Central Piedmont Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best-value Cosmetology schools. This public school is set in Charlotte, NC. In-state tuition and fees average $2,792, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Graduates carry a median of $11,861 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $37,865. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on Central Piedmont Community College
Central Carolina Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #14 position. Set in Sanford, NC, Central Carolina Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,711, with out-of-state students paying around $8,855. Central Carolina Community College Cosmetology students take on a median of $12,167 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $33,525. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Central Carolina Community College profile
Wake Technical Community College placed #15 among the best-value Cosmetology schools in the United States. Based in Raleigh, NC, Wake Technical Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,254, compared with $6,862 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,693 to complete their Cosmetology program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,769. Set against $7,693 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Wake Technical Community College
Weatherford College placed #16 among the best-value Cosmetology schools in the United States. Weatherford College is a public school based in Weatherford, TX. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,250, while out-of-state students pay about $10,860. Graduates carry a median of $14,099 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $42,397. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Weatherford College
Schoolcraft College placed #17 among the best-value Cosmetology schools in the United States. Schoolcraft College is a public school based in Livonia, MI. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,799, compared with $6,501 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $15,677 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,722 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Schoolcraft College profile
Douglas Education Center placed #18 among the best-value Cosmetology schools in the United States. Douglas Education Center is a private for-profit school based in Monessen, PA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,450. Students borrow a median of $11,823 to complete their Cosmetology program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $30,814. That is a strong return on a $11,823 median debt. Read more about Douglas Education Center
Citrus College landed the #19 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Glendora, CA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,204, while out-of-state students pay about $10,636. Citrus College alumni report median earnings of $42,065 a decade after entry. See the full Citrus College profile
Golden West College came in at #20 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Huntington Beach, CA. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,380, while out-of-state students pay about $11,628. Golden West College Cosmetology students take on a median of $21,500 in debt. Median earnings reach $43,145 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Golden West College
Riverside City College came in at #21 in this year's value ranking. Located in Riverside, CA, Riverside City College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Riverside City College Cosmetology students take on a median of $7,736 in debt. Median earnings reach $41,091 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Riverside City College profile
Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best-value Cosmetology schools. Located in Asheville, NC, Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,882, with out-of-state students paying around $9,026. Graduates carry a median of $18,883 in student loans. Median earnings reach $36,048 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College report
Los Angeles Trade Technical College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best-value Cosmetology schools. Based in Los Angeles, CA, Los Angeles Trade Technical College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,238, compared with $10,572 for out-of-state students. Los Angeles Trade Technical College Cosmetology students take on a median of $14,833 in debt. Los Angeles Trade Technical College alumni report median earnings of $35,233 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $14,833 median debt. Read the full report on Los Angeles Trade Technical College
San Diego City College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best-value Cosmetology schools. This public school is set in San Diego, CA. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $9,514 to complete their Cosmetology program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,503 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on San Diego City College
Navarro College landed the #25 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Corsicana, TX. Students from in state pay about $3,008 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,578. Navarro College Cosmetology students take on a median of $9,500 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,716. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Navarro College profile
Fayetteville Technical Community College placed #27 among the best-value Cosmetology schools in the United States. Set in Fayetteville, NC, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,628, while out-of-state students pay about $8,772. The median Cosmetology program debt is $5,500. Graduates go on to earn a median of $31,861 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt. More on Fayetteville Technical Community College
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Cosmetology Associate’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
Remington College North Houston Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #29 position. Based in Houston, TX, Remington College North Houston Campus is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $16,373. Graduates carry a median of $14,750 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $31,349. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on Remington College North Houston Campus
Trinidad State Junior College landed the #30 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Trinidad, CO. Students from in state pay about $4,608 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,318. Graduates carry a median of $10,502 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $36,475. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Trinidad State Junior College profile
Robeson Community College came in at #31 in this year's value ranking. Set in Lumberton, NC, Robeson Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,604 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,748. Students borrow a median of $9,949 to complete their Cosmetology program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $29,036. That is a strong return on a $9,949 median debt. Read the full report on Robeson Community College
Southwestern Community College Sylva came in at #32 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Sylva, NC. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,112, while out-of-state students pay about $13,184. Southwestern Community College Sylva Cosmetology students take on a median of $13,708 in debt. Southwestern Community College Sylva alumni report median earnings of $34,145 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Southwestern Community College Sylva profile
Vincennes University came in at #34 in this year's value ranking. Based in Vincennes, IN, Vincennes University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,126 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,858. Vincennes University Cosmetology students take on a median of $14,506 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,110. That is a strong return on a $14,506 median debt. Get the full Vincennes University report
Avalon School Of Cosmetology landed the #31 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Avalon School Of Cosmetology
Makana Esthetics Wellness Academy placed #32 among the best-value Cosmetology schools in the United States. Read more about Makana Esthetics Wellness Academy
Paul Mitchell The School Cleveland came in at #33 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Paul Mitchell The School Cleveland report
Paul Mitchell The School Mclean landed the #34 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Paul Mitchell The School Mclean
Sheridan Technical College landed the #35 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Sheridan Technical College
Vernon College
Vernon College placed #36 among the best-value Cosmetology schools in the United States. Read more about Vernon College
Brunswick Community College ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best-value Cosmetology schools. Read more about Brunswick Community College
Cannella School Of Hair Design Chicago South Archer Ave ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best-value Cosmetology schools. Read more about Cannella School Of Hair Design Chicago South Archer Ave
Gateway Community College Central City ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best-value Cosmetology schools. Get the full Gateway Community College Central City report
Hinton Barber And Beauty College landed the #40 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Hinton Barber And Beauty College
Huertas Junior College placed #41 among the best-value Cosmetology schools in the United States. Read the full report on Huertas Junior College
Montgomery Beauty School Baltimore Beauty Barber School ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best-value Cosmetology schools. Get the full Montgomery Beauty School Baltimore Beauty Barber School report
Rizzieri Aveda School For Beauty And Wellness offered strong value this year, earning the #43 position. Read more about Rizzieri Aveda School For Beauty And Wellness
Robert Fiance Beauty Schools West New York ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best-value Cosmetology schools. See the full Robert Fiance Beauty Schools West New York profile
Chattahoochee Technical College landed the #45 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Chattahoochee Technical College
Clarendon College offered strong value this year, earning the #46 position. Read the full report on Clarendon College
Elaine Sterling Institute offered strong value this year, earning the #47 position. More on Elaine Sterling Institute
Kaizen Beauty Academy placed #48 among the best-value Cosmetology schools in the United States. Read more about Kaizen Beauty Academy
Michigan College Of Beauty Monroe came in at #49 in this year's value ranking. See the full Michigan College Of Beauty Monroe profile
Northwest Louisiana Technical College placed #50 among the best-value Cosmetology schools in the United States. Get the full Northwest Louisiana Technical College report
Related Cosmetology Value Rankings
See value rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Value Cosmetology Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Cosmetology Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Cosmetology Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Cosmetology Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Cosmetology Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Cosmetology Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Cosmetology Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Trade College (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 1613 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
TradeCollege.org provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. TradeCollege.org is a for-profit site, and the displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© TradeCollege.org – All Rights Reserved.