2026 Best Value Culinary Arts Schools in the Southeast Region
[Culinary Arts](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/culinary-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 184 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for culinary arts students.
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2026 Best Value Culinary Arts Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in culinary arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Culinary Arts Schools
Our analysis ranked South Georgia Technical College the best value for a degree in culinary arts 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, while out-of-state students pay about $7,202. Students borrow a median of $10,423 to complete the culinary arts program here. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $40,497. Set against $10,423 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wilkes Community College earned it the #2 place for culinary arts. Set in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,572, compared with $8,716 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,125 to complete the culinary arts program here. Culinary Arts graduates of Wilkes Community College earn a median of $36,341 early in their careers. Set against $9,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pensacola State College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value culinary arts schools. Located in the city of Pensacola, Pensacola State College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,361, while out-of-state students pay about $9,463. Typical student debt for culinary arts graduates is $9,191. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $45,811. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in culinary arts will find it at Trident Technical College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,546, while out-of-state students pay about $8,620. Typical student debt for culinary arts graduates is $15,000. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $50,166. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida State College At Jacksonville earned it the #5 place for culinary arts. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,657 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for culinary arts graduates is $19,139. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $46,748. Set against $19,139 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College landed the #6 spot for culinary arts value this year. Set in the rural area of Valdosta, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,480, with out-of-state students paying around $6,048. Typical student debt for culinary arts graduates is $10,864. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Wiregrass Georgia Technical College generally make around $40,452. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fayetteville Technical Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value culinary arts schools. Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,628, compared with $8,772 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for culinary arts graduates is $16,909. Culinary Arts graduates of Fayetteville Technical Community College earn a median of $40,584 early in their careers. Set against $16,909 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College landed the #8 spot for culinary arts value this year. Set in the city of Rome, Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,300, compared with $5,868 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,492 to complete the culinary arts program here. Culinary Arts graduates of Georgia Northwestern Technical College earn a median of $41,229 early in their careers. Set against $8,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Piedmont Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value culinary arts schools. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,792, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $11,861 in student loans. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $27,127. That is a strong return on a $11,861 median debt.
Durham Technical Community College earned the #10 position for value in culinary arts this year. Set in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,240, with out-of-state students paying around $7,531. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $20,408 in student loans. Culinary Arts graduates of Durham Technical Community College earn a median of $46,293 early in their careers. Set against $20,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Atlanta Technical College landed the #11 spot for culinary arts value this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Atlanta Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,382 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,950 for out-of-state students. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $17,655 in student loans. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $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 this year. Located in the rural area of Waco, West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,978. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $12,651 in student loans. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from West Georgia Technical College generally make around $39,922. 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 this year. Set in the city of Panama City, Gulf Coast State College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,370, compared with $8,635 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for culinary arts graduates is $8,286. Culinary Arts graduates of Gulf Coast State College earn a median of $49,086 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hinds Community College landed the #14 spot for culinary arts value this year. Located in the rural area of Raymond, Hinds Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,250 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,300. Students borrow a median of $12,169 to complete the culinary arts program here. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Hinds Community College generally make around $34,003. That is a strong return on a $12,169 median debt.
Coahoma Community College landed the #15 spot for culinary arts value this year. Located in the rural area of Clarksdale, Coahoma Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,490. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $11,745 in student loans. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Coahoma Community College generally make around $29,600. That is a strong return on a $11,745 median debt.
Southern Crescent Technical College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value culinary arts schools. Southern Crescent Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Griffin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,516, compared with $6,084 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,619 to complete the culinary arts program here. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $45,062. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Horry Georgetown Technical College landed the #17 spot for culinary arts value this year. Set in the city of Conway, Horry Georgetown Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,518, while out-of-state students pay about $10,978. Typical student debt for culinary arts graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Horry Georgetown Technical College generally make around $24,466. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins came in at #18 for value in culinary arts this year. Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins is a large public school located in the city of Warner Robins. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,448, compared with $6,016 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for culinary arts graduates is $11,693. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins generally make around $39,765. That is a strong return on a $11,693 median debt.
Walters State Community College placed #19 among the best values for culinary arts. Located in the city of Morristown, Walters State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,752, with out-of-state students paying around $17,736. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $10,210 in student loans. Culinary Arts 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 placed #20 among the best values for culinary arts. Set in the city of Albany, Albany Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,364 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,932. Students borrow a median of $16,321 to complete the culinary arts program here. Culinary Arts graduates of Albany Technical College earn a median of $35,895 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indian River State College placed #21 among the best values for culinary arts. Indian River State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fort Pierce. In-state tuition and fees average $2,764, with out-of-state students paying around $10,201. Typical student debt for culinary arts graduates is $10,492. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Indian River State College generally make around $44,082. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hillsborough Community College came in at #22 for value in culinary arts this year. Hillsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Students from in state pay about $2,491 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,088. Students borrow a median of $19,657 to complete the culinary arts program here. Culinary Arts graduates of Hillsborough Community College earn a median of $29,451 early in their careers. Set against $19,657 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Georgia Technical College earned the #23 position for value in culinary arts this year. Set in the rural area of Clarkesville, North Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,330, with out-of-state students paying around $5,898. Students borrow a median of $12,279 to complete the culinary arts program here. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $17,383. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Columbus Technical College landed the #24 spot for culinary arts value this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,052, with out-of-state students paying around $7,262. Students borrow a median of $15,845 to complete the culinary arts program here. Culinary Arts graduates of Columbus Technical College earn a median of $37,936 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bishop State Community College placed #25 among the best values for culinary arts. Located in the city of Mobile, Bishop State Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,340, while out-of-state students pay about $9,210. Typical student debt for culinary arts graduates is $13,712. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $35,475. That is a strong return on a $13,712 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Culinary Arts Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for culinary arts this year:
Narrow Culinary Arts Schools by State
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on 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 · 184 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 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.
