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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Culinary Arts Schools in Georgia

4 Colleges in the United States
$13,578 Avg Student Debt
$33,861 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Culinary Arts Badge [Culinary Arts](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/culinary-arts/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 21 schools to find the best return on investment for culinary arts students.

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2026 Best Value Culinary Arts Schools in Georgia

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the culinary arts degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Culinary Arts Schools

1

South Georgia Technical College tops our 2026 list of the best value culinary arts schools in Georgia. Set in the town of Americus, South Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,992, compared with $7,202 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,423 to complete the culinary arts program here. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from South Georgia Technical College generally make around $40,497. Set against $10,423 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Atlanta Technical College earned it the #2 place for culinary arts. Atlanta Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Atlanta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,382, while out-of-state students pay about $5,950. Students borrow a median of $17,655 to complete the culinary arts program here. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $35,441. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

A rank of #3 makes Wiregrass Georgia Technical College one of the best values for culinary arts. Set in the rural area of Valdosta, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,480, while out-of-state students pay about $6,048. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $10,864 in student loans. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Wiregrass Georgia Technical College generally make around $40,452. Set against $10,864 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

A rank of #4 makes Georgia Northwestern Technical College one of the best values for culinary arts. Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rome. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,300, compared with $5,868 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for culinary arts graduates is $8,492. Culinary Arts graduates of Georgia Northwestern Technical College earn a median of $41,229 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,492 median debt.

5

A rank of #5 makes West Georgia Technical College one of the best values for culinary arts. 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, compared with $5,978 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,651 to complete the culinary arts program here. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $39,922. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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6

Albany Technical College earned the #6 position for value in culinary arts this year. Located in the city of Albany, Albany Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,364 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,932 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,321 to complete the culinary arts program here. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Albany Technical College generally make around $35,895. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Southern Crescent Technical College came in at #7 for value in culinary arts this year. Located in the town of Griffin, Southern Crescent Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,516, compared with $6,084 for out-of-state students. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $17,619 in student loans. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $45,062. Set against $17,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

North Georgia Technical College earned the #8 position for value in culinary arts this year. North Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Clarkesville. In-state tuition and fees average $3,330, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $12,279 median debt.

9

Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins came in at #9 for value in culinary arts this year. Set in the city of Warner Robins, Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,448, with out-of-state students paying around $6,016. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $11,693 in student loans. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $39,765. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Columbus Technical College came in at #10 for value in culinary arts this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,052, compared with $7,262 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,845 to complete the culinary arts program here. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $37,936. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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11

Ogeechee Technical College landed the #11 spot for culinary arts value this year. Set in the town of Statesboro, Ogeechee Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,388, with out-of-state students paying around $5,956. Students borrow a median of $11,894 to complete the culinary arts program here. Culinary Arts graduates of Ogeechee Technical College earn a median of $35,521 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12
Lanier Technical College crest
Lanier Technical College
Gainesville, GA

Lanier Technical College earned the #12 position for value in culinary arts this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, Lanier Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,980, compared with $7,190 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for culinary arts graduates is $12,278. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Lanier Technical College generally make around $37,118. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13

Savannah Technical College came in at #13 for value in culinary arts this year. Savannah Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Savannah. In-state tuition and fees average $3,330, while out-of-state students pay about $5,898. Typical student debt for culinary arts graduates is $12,843. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $37,386. Set against $12,843 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

Augusta Technical College placed #14 among the best values for culinary arts. Augusta Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Augusta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,282, compared with $7,492 for out-of-state students. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $11,400 in student loans. Culinary Arts graduates of Augusta Technical College earn a median of $41,892 early in their careers. Set against $11,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15
Gwinnett Technical College crest
Gwinnett Technical College
Lawrenceville, GA

Gwinnett Technical College earned the #15 position for value in culinary arts this year. Set in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Gwinnett Technical College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,524, compared with $6,092 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,048 to complete the culinary arts program here. Culinary Arts graduates of Gwinnett Technical College earn a median of $39,288 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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16
Helms College crest
Helms College
Augusta, GA

Helms College came in at #16 for value in culinary arts this year. Located in the city of Augusta, Helms College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,056. Students borrow a median of $16,938 to complete the culinary arts program here. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Helms College generally make around $22,332.

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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 · 21 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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