ADBLOCK #102
College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/Manager Associate’s Degree Schools

16 Colleges in the United States
$12,635 Avg Student Debt
$41,089 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/Manager Associate's Degree Badge [Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/Manager](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/culinary-arts/restaurant-culinary-and-catering-management-manager/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

College Factual analyzed 148 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value restaurant, culinary catering management/manager schools.

What’s on this page:

ADBLOCK #159
DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/culinary-arts/restaurant-culinary-and-catering-management-manager/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/culinary-arts/restaurant-culinary-and-catering-management-manager/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/culinary-arts/restaurant-culinary-and-catering-management-manager/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/culinary-arts/restaurant-culinary-and-catering-management-manager/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/culinary-arts/restaurant-culinary-and-catering-management-manager/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/culinary-arts/restaurant-culinary-and-catering-management-manager/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/culinary-arts/restaurant-culinary-and-catering-management-manager/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 1
DEBUG: Specific major detected (cip4 = 12.05), keeping min_relevance at 0.8
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.8, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "Trade & Vocational Programs (Culinary & Pastry)" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Trade & Vocational Programs (Culinary & Pastry)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 1
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 1 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.8
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 1
DEBUG: ESYOH offers found, rendering ESYOH widget
DEBUG: most_relevant_only = true, filtering for most relevant
DEBUG: Found 0 offers with relevance >= 1.0
DEBUG: Backfilling with 1 offers with relevance >= 0.9

2026 Best Value Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/Manager Schools in the United States

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

Best Value Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/Manager Schools

1
Cerritos College crest
Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA

For return on investment in restaurant, culinary catering management/manager, no school beat Cerritos College this year. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager graduates is $11,306. Soon after graduation, restaurant, culinary catering management/manager degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Students looking for strong value in restaurant, culinary catering management/manager will find it at Moraine Valley Community College, which ranked #2. Moraine Valley Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Palos Hills. Students from in state pay about $3,822 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,846 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,149 to complete the restaurant, culinary catering management/manager program here. Early-career restaurant, culinary catering management/manager graduates make about $43,844. Set against $11,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3
College Of The Canyons crest
College Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA

Students looking for strong value in restaurant, culinary catering management/manager will find it at College Of The Canyons, which ranked #3. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the restaurant, culinary catering management/manager program here. Early-career restaurant, culinary catering management/manager graduates make about $51,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

Students looking for strong value in restaurant, culinary catering management/manager will find it at Metropolitan Community College Area, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,375 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,950. Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/manager graduates carry a median of $12,799 in student loans. Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/manager graduates of Metropolitan Community College Area earn a median of $45,583 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,799 median debt.

5
Grossmont College crest
Grossmont College
El Cajon, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Grossmont College earned it the #5 place for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $10,628. Median earnings reach $40,309 ten years out.

ADBLOCK #101
6

Suffolk County Community College earned the #6 position for value in restaurant, culinary catering management/manager this year. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,630, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Typical student debt for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager graduates is $11,246. Early-career restaurant, culinary catering management/manager graduates make about $35,667. That is a strong return on a $11,246 median debt.

7

Florida State College At Jacksonville earned the #7 position for value in restaurant, culinary catering management/manager this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,657, while out-of-state students pay about $9,631. Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/manager graduates carry a median of $19,139 in student loans. Soon after graduation, restaurant, culinary catering management/manager degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $46,748. Set against $19,139 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

Pensacola State College came in at #8 for value in restaurant, culinary catering management/manager this year. Located in the city of Pensacola, Pensacola State College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,361, while out-of-state students pay about $9,463. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the restaurant, culinary catering management/manager program here. Soon after graduation, restaurant, culinary catering management/manager degree recipients from Pensacola State College generally make around $45,811. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Mt San Antonio College placed #9 among the best values for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/manager graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Soon after graduation, restaurant, culinary catering management/manager degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.

10

Central New Mexico Community College came in at #10 for value in restaurant, culinary catering management/manager this year. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,060, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/manager graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/manager graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $23,139 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.

ADBLOCK #115
11
Orange Coast College crest
Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, CA

Orange Coast College landed the #11 spot for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager value this year. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,392, while out-of-state students pay about $11,640. Typical student debt for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager graduates is $8,978. Early-career restaurant, culinary catering management/manager graduates make about $46,306. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12
Cypress College crest
Cypress College
Cypress, CA

Cypress College landed the #12 spot for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager value this year. Cypress College is a very large public school located in the city of Cypress. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,150, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,533 ten years after entry.

13
American River College crest
American River College
Sacramento, CA

American River College earned the #13 position for value in restaurant, culinary catering management/manager this year. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/manager graduates carry a median of $14,105 in student loans. Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/manager graduates of American River College earn a median of $76,077 early in their careers. Set against $14,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

Cuny Kingsborough Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value restaurant, culinary catering management/manager schools. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,252 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,132. Typical student debt for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager graduates is $7,858. Early-career restaurant, culinary catering management/manager graduates make about $35,562. That is a strong return on a $7,858 median debt.

15
Nassau Community College crest
Nassau Community College
Garden City, NY

Nassau Community College came in at #15 for value in restaurant, culinary catering management/manager this year. Located in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,330, while out-of-state students pay about $12,130. Students borrow a median of $11,850 to complete the restaurant, culinary catering management/manager program here. Soon after graduation, restaurant, culinary catering management/manager degree recipients from Nassau Community College generally make around $38,734. That is a strong return on a $11,850 median debt.

ADBLOCK #145
16

Schenectady County Community College came in at #16 for value in restaurant, culinary catering management/manager this year. Set in the city of Schenectady, Schenectady County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,190, with out-of-state students paying around $8,974. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,902 ten years after entry.

17

Miami Dade College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value restaurant, culinary catering management/manager schools. Located in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,838, while out-of-state students pay about $9,661. Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/manager graduates carry a median of $10,882 in student loans. Soon after graduation, restaurant, culinary catering management/manager degree recipients from Miami Dade College generally make around $31,101. That is a strong return on a $10,882 median debt.

18
Bakersfield College crest
Bakersfield College
Bakersfield, CA

Bakersfield College landed the #18 spot for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager value this year. Set in the city of Bakersfield, Bakersfield College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,430, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,419 to complete the restaurant, culinary catering management/manager program here. Soon after graduation, restaurant, culinary catering management/manager degree recipients from Bakersfield College generally make around $86,312. That is a strong return on a $9,419 median debt.

19
St Philips College crest
St Philips College
San Antonio, TX

St Philips College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value restaurant, culinary catering management/manager schools. Set in the city of San Antonio, St Philips College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,412, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/manager graduates carry a median of $15,653 in student loans. Soon after graduation, restaurant, culinary catering management/manager degree recipients from St Philips College generally make around $45,185. Set against $15,653 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

20

Indian River State College came in at #20 for value in restaurant, culinary catering management/manager this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,764, compared with $10,201 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager graduates is $10,492. Early-career restaurant, culinary catering management/manager graduates make about $44,082. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

ADBLOCK #150
21

El Paso Community College landed the #21 spot for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager value this year. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,274, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/manager graduates carry a median of $8,542 in student loans. Early-career restaurant, culinary catering management/manager graduates make about $29,086. Set against $8,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

22

Elgin Community College landed the #22 spot for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager value this year. Elgin Community College is a large public school located in the city of Elgin. Students from in state pay about $3,252 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,516. Typical student debt for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager graduates is $7,727. Soon after graduation, restaurant, culinary catering management/manager degree recipients from Elgin Community College generally make around $43,975. Set against $7,727 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

23

Sinclair Community College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value restaurant, culinary catering management/manager schools. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/manager graduates carry a median of $15,834 in student loans. Early-career restaurant, culinary catering management/manager graduates make about $28,037. That is a strong return on a $15,834 median debt.

24
Diablo Valley College crest
Diablo Valley College
Pleasant Hill, CA

Diablo Valley College came in at #24 for value in restaurant, culinary catering management/manager this year. Set in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,312 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,320. Students borrow a median of $9,205 to complete the restaurant, culinary catering management/manager program here. Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/manager graduates of Diablo Valley College earn a median of $27,813 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,205 median debt.

25
Colorado Mountain College crest
Colorado Mountain College
Glenwood Springs, CO

Colorado Mountain College earned the #25 position for value in restaurant, culinary catering management/manager this year. Located in the town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,616 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,840 for out-of-state students. Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/manager graduates carry a median of $12,953 in student loans. Soon after graduation, restaurant, culinary catering management/manager degree recipients from Colorado Mountain College generally make around $48,694. That is a strong return on a $12,953 median debt.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/Manager Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s restaurant, culinary catering management/manager value ranking:

26
Chaffey College crest
Chaffey College
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
Daytona State College crest
Daytona State College
Daytona Beach, FL
34
35
36
37
38
Mchenry County College crest
Mchenry County College
Crystal Lake, IL
39
40
41
42
Universidad Del Este crest
Universidad Del Este
Carolina, PR
43
Odessa College crest
Odessa College
Odessa, TX
44
45
Vincennes University crest
Vincennes University
Vincennes, IN
46
Valencia College crest
Valencia College
Orlando, FL
47
48
49
50

Other Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/Manager Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/Manager rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/Manager
Bachelor's Degrees in Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/Manager
Master's Degrees in Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/Manager
ADBLOCK #173
View All Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/Manager Rankings >

ADBLOCK #115

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 · 148 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

ADBLOCK #116

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs
ADBLOCK #613

Compare Your School Options