2026 Best Value Foodservice Systems Administration/Management Schools in the Southwest Region

[Foodservice Systems Administration/Management](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/food-nutrition-services/foodservice-systems-administration-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.
College Factual analyzed 5 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value foodservice systems administration/management schools.
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2026 Best Value Foodservice Systems Administration/Management Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in foodservice systems administration/management, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Foodservice Systems Administration/Management Schools
For return on investment in foodservice systems administration/management, no school beat Central New Mexico Community College this year. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,060, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Typical student debt for foodservice systems administration/management graduates is $10,112. Foodservice Systems Administration/management graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $34,751 early in their careers. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Arizona College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value foodservice systems administration/management schools. Located in the rural area of Coolidge, Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,250 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,500 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,635 to complete the foodservice systems administration/management program here. Early-career foodservice systems administration/management graduates make about $48,826. That is a strong return on a $11,635 median debt.
Rio Salado College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in foodservice systems administration/management, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Rio Salado College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,958. Foodservice Systems Administration/management graduates carry a median of $13,679 in student loans. Foodservice Systems Administration/management graduates of Rio Salado College earn a median of $48,564 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lamar University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value foodservice systems administration/management schools. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,905 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,745 for out-of-state students. Foodservice Systems Administration/management graduates carry a median of $21,482 in student loans. Foodservice Systems Administration/management graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $52,678 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,482 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
A rank of #5 makes Sam Houston State University one of the best values for foodservice systems administration/management. Located in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,228 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,068. Foodservice Systems Administration/management graduates carry a median of $24,850 in student loans. Foodservice Systems Administration/management graduates of Sam Houston State University earn a median of $46,365 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,850 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked 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 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.