2026 Best Value Culinary Arts/Chef Training Schools in the Southeast Region
[Culinary Arts/Chef Training](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/culinary-arts/culinary-arts-chef-training/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong culinary arts/chef training education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 138 schools to find the best return on investment for culinary arts/chef training students.
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2026 Best Value Culinary Arts/Chef Training Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in culinary arts/chef training, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Culinary Arts/Chef Training Schools
South Georgia Technical College tops our 2026 list of the best value culinary arts/chef training schools in the Southeast Region. Located in the town of Americus, South Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,992, with out-of-state students paying around $7,202. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates carry a median of $10,423 in student loans. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of South Georgia Technical College earn a median of $40,497 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wilkes Community College earned it the #2 place for culinary arts/chef training. Located in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,572 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,716 for out-of-state students. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates carry a median of $9,125 in student loans. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Wilkes Community College earn a median of $36,341 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Trident Technical College earned it the #3 place for culinary arts/chef training. Trident Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Charleston. In-state tuition and fees average $4,546, with out-of-state students paying around $8,620. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Trident Technical College generally make around $50,166. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt.
Pensacola State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in culinary arts/chef training, landing the #4 spot this year. Pensacola State College is a large public school located in the city of Pensacola. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,361, while out-of-state students pay about $9,463. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Pensacola State College generally make around $45,811. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Wiregrass Georgia Technical College one of the best values for culinary arts/chef training. Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Valdosta. In-state tuition and fees average $3,480, while out-of-state students pay about $6,048. Typical student debt for culinary arts/chef training graduates is $10,864. Early-career culinary arts/chef training graduates make about $40,452. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida State College At Jacksonville placed #6 among the best values for culinary arts/chef training. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,657, while out-of-state students pay about $9,631. Students borrow a median of $19,139 to complete the culinary arts/chef training program here. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $46,748. That is a strong return on a $19,139 median debt.
Fayetteville Technical Community College placed #7 among the best values for culinary arts/chef training. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,628, with out-of-state students paying around $8,772. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates carry a median of $16,909 in student loans. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Fayetteville Technical Community College earn a median of $40,584 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,909 median debt.
Central Piedmont Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value culinary arts/chef training schools. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. In-state tuition and fees average $2,792, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,861 to complete the culinary arts/chef training program here. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $27,127 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College earned the #9 position for value in culinary arts/chef training this year. Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rome. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,300, while out-of-state students pay about $5,868. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates carry a median of $8,492 in student loans. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Georgia Northwestern Technical College generally make around $41,229. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Durham Technical Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value culinary arts/chef training schools. Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Durham. Students from in state pay about $2,240 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,531. Students borrow a median of $20,408 to complete the culinary arts/chef training program here. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Durham Technical Community College generally make around $46,293. That is a strong return on a $20,408 median debt.
Atlanta Technical College landed the #11 spot for culinary arts/chef training value this year. Atlanta Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Atlanta. In-state tuition and fees average $3,382, while out-of-state students pay about $5,950. Students borrow a median of $17,655 to complete the culinary arts/chef training program here. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Atlanta Technical College generally make around $35,441. That is a strong return on a $17,655 median debt.
West Georgia Technical College earned the #12 position for value in culinary arts/chef training this year. Set in the rural area of Waco, West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,410, with out-of-state students paying around $5,978. Students borrow a median of $12,651 to complete the culinary arts/chef training program here. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of West Georgia Technical College earn a median of $39,922 early in their careers. Set against $12,651 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gulf Coast State College earned the #13 position for value in culinary arts/chef training this year. Gulf Coast State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Panama City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,370, while out-of-state students pay about $8,635. Typical student debt for culinary arts/chef training graduates is $8,286. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Gulf Coast State College generally make around $49,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Horry Georgetown Technical College came in at #14 for value in culinary arts/chef training this year. Horry Georgetown Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Conway. Students from in state pay about $5,518 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,978. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career culinary arts/chef training graduates make about $24,466. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Crescent Technical College placed #15 among the best values for culinary arts/chef training. Southern Crescent Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Griffin. In-state tuition and fees average $3,516, with out-of-state students paying around $6,084. Typical student debt for culinary arts/chef training graduates is $17,619. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Southern Crescent Technical College earn a median of $45,062 early in their careers. Set against $17,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Walters State Community College earned the #16 position for value in culinary arts/chef training this year. Located in the city of Morristown, Walters State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,752, while out-of-state students pay about $17,736. Typical student debt for culinary arts/chef training graduates is $10,210. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Walters State Community College earn a median of $35,866 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,210 median debt.
Albany Technical College came in at #17 for value in culinary arts/chef training this year. Albany Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Albany. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,364, while out-of-state students pay about $5,932. Typical student debt for culinary arts/chef training graduates is $16,321. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Albany Technical College generally make around $35,895. That is a strong return on a $16,321 median debt.
North Georgia Technical College earned the #18 position for value in culinary arts/chef training this year. North Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Clarkesville. Students from in state pay about $3,330 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,898 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for culinary arts/chef training graduates is $12,279. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of North Georgia Technical College earn a median of $17,383 early in their careers. Set against $12,279 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hillsborough Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value culinary arts/chef training schools. Located in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,491, with out-of-state students paying around $9,088. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates carry a median of $19,657 in student loans. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Hillsborough Community College generally make around $29,451. Set against $19,657 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indian River State College earned the #20 position for value in culinary arts/chef training 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, while out-of-state students pay about $10,201. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Indian River State College earn a median of $44,082 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt.
Bishop State Community College came in at #21 for value in culinary arts/chef training this year. Located in the city of Mobile, Bishop State Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,340 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,210. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates carry a median of $13,712 in student loans. Early-career culinary arts/chef training graduates make about $35,475. That is a strong return on a $13,712 median debt.
Columbus Technical College landed the #22 spot for culinary arts/chef training value this year. Columbus Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Columbus. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,052, with out-of-state students paying around $7,262. Typical student debt for culinary arts/chef training graduates is $15,845. Early-career culinary arts/chef training graduates make about $37,936. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Blue Ridge Community And Technical College placed #23 among the best values for culinary arts/chef training. Located in the rural area of Martinsburg, Blue Ridge Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,752, compared with $8,808 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,402 to complete the culinary arts/chef training program here. Early-career culinary arts/chef training graduates make about $41,032. Set against $18,402 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ozarka College landed the #24 spot for culinary arts/chef training value this year. Ozarka College is a small public school located in the rural area of Melbourne. Students from in state pay about $3,820 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,820. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates carry a median of $11,778 in student loans. Early-career culinary arts/chef training graduates make about $48,116. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Somerset Community College landed the #25 spot for culinary arts/chef training value this year. Set in the town of Somerset, Somerset Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Students borrow a median of $13,722 to complete the culinary arts/chef training program here. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Somerset Community College earn a median of $35,340 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Culinary Arts/Chef Training Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in culinary arts/chef training:
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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 · 138 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 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.
