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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Restaurant/Food Services Management Schools in the Southeast Region

2 Colleges in the United States
$18,359 Avg Student Debt
$42,029 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Restaurant/Food Services Management Badge [Restaurant/Food Services Management](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/hospitality-management/restaurant-food-services-management/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 30 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for restaurant/food services management students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Restaurant/Food Services Management Schools in the Southeast Region

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the restaurant/food services management degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Restaurant/Food Services Management Schools

1

Atlanta Technical College earned the #1 spot for value among restaurant/food services management schools in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Atlanta, Atlanta Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,382, compared with $5,950 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for restaurant/food services management graduates is $17,655. Restaurant/food Services Management graduates of Atlanta Technical College earn a median of $35,441 early in their careers. Set against $17,655 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Florida State College At Jacksonville is a great value for students pursuing a degree in restaurant/food services management, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,657, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. Restaurant/food Services Management graduates carry a median of $19,139 in student loans. Early-career restaurant/food services management graduates make about $46,748. That is a strong return on a $19,139 median debt.

3
St Petersburg College crest
St Petersburg College
St. Petersburg, FL

Students looking for strong value in restaurant/food services management will find it at St Petersburg College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,682 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. Students borrow a median of $24,385 to complete the restaurant/food services management program here. Restaurant/food Services Management graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $48,218 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,385 median debt.

4

Pensacola State College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value restaurant/food services management schools. Located in the city of Pensacola, Pensacola State College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,361, while out-of-state students pay about $9,463. Typical student debt for restaurant/food services management graduates is $9,191. Early-career restaurant/food services management graduates make about $45,811. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Students looking for strong value in restaurant/food services management will find it at Seminole State College Of Florida, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Sanford, Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,122, compared with $11,447 for out-of-state students. Restaurant/food Services Management graduates carry a median of $18,419 in student loans. Soon after graduation, restaurant/food services management degree recipients from Seminole State College Of Florida generally make around $48,049. That is a strong return on a $18,419 median debt.

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6

Hillsborough Community College came in at #6 for value in restaurant/food services management this year. Hillsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. In-state tuition and fees average $2,491, compared with $9,088 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,142 to complete the restaurant/food services management program here. Restaurant/food Services Management graduates of Hillsborough Community College earn a median of $44,101 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Albany Technical College landed the #7 spot for restaurant/food services management value this year. Albany Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Albany. In-state tuition and fees average $3,364, while out-of-state students pay about $5,932. Students borrow a median of $16,321 to complete the restaurant/food services management program here. Restaurant/food Services Management graduates of Albany Technical College earn a median of $35,895 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,321 median debt.

8

Indian River State College landed the #8 spot for restaurant/food services management value this year. Indian River State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fort Pierce. Students from in state pay about $2,764 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,201 for out-of-state students. Restaurant/food Services Management graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Restaurant/food Services Management graduates of Indian River State College earn a median of $44,082 early in their careers. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Northwest Florida State College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value restaurant/food services management schools. Located in the suburb of Niceville, Northwest Florida State College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,583, while out-of-state students pay about $10,612. Restaurant/food Services Management graduates carry a median of $11,566 in student loans. Restaurant/food Services Management graduates of Northwest Florida State College earn a median of $48,463 early in their careers. Set against $11,566 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

Athens Technical College earned the #10 position for value in restaurant/food services management this year. Set in the city of Athens, Athens Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,390, while out-of-state students pay about $5,958. Restaurant/food Services Management graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Early-career restaurant/food services management graduates make about $41,631. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.

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11

American Public University System came in at #11 for value in restaurant/food services management this year. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400. Students borrow a median of $37,978 to complete the restaurant/food services management program here. Soon after graduation, restaurant/food services management degree recipients from American Public University System generally make around $37,174. Set against $37,978 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12
Valencia College crest
Valencia College
Orlando, FL

Valencia College earned the #12 position for value in restaurant/food services management this year. Valencia College is a very large public school located in the city of Orlando. Students from in state pay about $2,664 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,576. Students borrow a median of $14,433 to complete the restaurant/food services management program here. Soon after graduation, restaurant/food services management degree recipients from Valencia College generally make around $31,588. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13

Palm Beach State College earned the #13 position for value in restaurant/food services management this year. Palm Beach State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Lake Worth. Students from in state pay about $3,050 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,910. Typical student debt for restaurant/food services management graduates is $12,518. Restaurant/food Services Management graduates of Palm Beach State College earn a median of $42,501 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,518 median debt.

14

University Of Central Florida came in at #14 for value in restaurant/food services management this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the restaurant/food services management program here. Early-career restaurant/food services management graduates make about $38,907. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 40%.

15

University Of North Alabama placed #15 among the best values for restaurant/food services management. Located in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,120 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,291 to complete the restaurant/food services management program here. Restaurant/food Services Management graduates of University Of North Alabama earn a median of $41,357 early in their careers. Set against $24,291 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

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16
Gwinnett Technical College crest
Gwinnett Technical College
Lawrenceville, GA

Gwinnett Technical College came in at #16 for value in restaurant/food services management this year. Set in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Gwinnett Technical College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,524, compared with $6,092 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,048 to complete the restaurant/food services management program here. Restaurant/food Services Management graduates of Gwinnett Technical College earn a median of $39,288 early in their careers. Set against $18,048 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17
Broward College crest
Broward College
Fort Lauderdale, FL

Broward College came in at #17 for value in restaurant/food services management this year. Located in the city of Fort Lauderdale, Broward College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,830, while out-of-state students pay about $8,952. Restaurant/food Services Management graduates carry a median of $13,110 in student loans. Soon after graduation, restaurant/food services management degree recipients from Broward College generally make around $51,328. That is a strong return on a $13,110 median debt.

18
Ecpi University crest
Ecpi University
Virginia Beach, VA

Ecpi University landed the #18 spot for restaurant/food services management value this year. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Ecpi University is a large private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $18,484 in tuition and fees. Restaurant/food Services Management graduates carry a median of $30,138 in student loans. Soon after graduation, restaurant/food services management degree recipients from Ecpi University generally make around $33,711. That is a strong return on a $30,138 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.

19

The University Of Alabama came in at #19 for value in restaurant/food services management this year. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,180, compared with $34,172 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the restaurant/food services management program here. Early-career restaurant/food services management graduates make about $50,740. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 30 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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