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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/Manager Schools in the Far Western Region

1 Colleges in the United States
$11,717 Avg Student Debt
$42,490 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/Manager Badge [Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/Manager](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/culinary-arts/restaurant-culinary-and-catering-management-manager/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong restaurant, culinary catering management/manager education at a price that pays off.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 40 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager students.

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2026 Best Value Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/Manager Schools in the Far Western Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in restaurant, culinary catering management/manager, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/Manager Schools

1
Cerritos College crest
Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA

Cerritos College earned the #1 spot for value among restaurant, culinary catering management/manager schools in the Far Western Region. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/manager graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. 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
College Of The Canyons crest
College Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA

A rank of #2 makes College Of The Canyons one of the best values for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. 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. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.

3
Grossmont College crest
Grossmont College
El Cajon, CA

Grossmont College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in restaurant, culinary catering management/manager, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, compared with $10,628 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,309 ten years after entry.

4

Students looking for strong value in restaurant, culinary catering management/manager will find it at Mt San Antonio College, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Typical student debt for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager graduates is $9,384. Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/manager graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5
American River College crest
American River College
Sacramento, CA

A rank of #5 makes American River College one of the best values for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager. American River College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Sacramento. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/manager graduates carry a median of $14,105 in student loans. Early-career restaurant, culinary catering management/manager graduates make about $76,077. Set against $14,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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6
Peninsula College crest
Peninsula College
Port Angeles, WA

Peninsula College landed the #6 spot for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager value this year. Located in the town of Port Angeles, Peninsula College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,718, with out-of-state students paying around $5,270. Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/manager graduates carry a median of $12,730 in student loans. Early-career restaurant, culinary catering management/manager graduates make about $51,243. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7
Victor Valley College crest
Victor Valley College
Victorville, CA

Victor Valley College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value restaurant, culinary catering management/manager schools. Located in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,425, compared with $10,125 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,995 to complete the restaurant, culinary catering management/manager program here. Early-career restaurant, culinary catering management/manager graduates make about $37,755. That is a strong return on a $7,995 median debt.

8
Cypress College crest
Cypress College
Cypress, CA

Cypress College placed #8 among the best values for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager. Located in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,150, while out-of-state students pay about $12,379. Median earnings reach $43,533 ten years out.

9
Allan Hancock College crest
Allan Hancock College
Santa Maria, CA

Allan Hancock College earned the #9 position for value in restaurant, culinary catering management/manager this year. Allan Hancock College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Maria. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $9,892. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,786 ten years after entry.

10
Orange Coast College crest
Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, CA

Orange Coast College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value restaurant, culinary catering management/manager schools. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,392, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager graduates is $8,978. Soon after graduation, restaurant, culinary catering management/manager degree recipients from Orange Coast College generally make around $46,306. That is a strong return on a $8,978 median debt.

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Santa Rosa Junior College landed the #11 spot for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager value this year. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the restaurant, culinary catering management/manager program here. Soon after graduation, restaurant, culinary catering management/manager degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. That is a strong return on a $14,692 median debt.

12
Mission College crest
Mission College
Santa Clara, CA

Mission College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value restaurant, culinary catering management/manager schools. Mission College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Clara. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,438, with out-of-state students paying around $12,500. Students borrow a median of $17,223 to complete the restaurant, culinary catering management/manager program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,936. That is a strong return on a $17,223 median debt.

13
Bakersfield College crest
Bakersfield College
Bakersfield, CA

Bakersfield College placed #13 among the best values for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager. Located in the city of Bakersfield, Bakersfield College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,430 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/manager graduates carry a median of $9,419 in student loans. Soon after graduation, restaurant, culinary catering management/manager degree recipients from Bakersfield College generally make around $86,312. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14
Diablo Valley College crest
Diablo Valley College
Pleasant Hill, CA

Diablo Valley College came in at #14 for value in restaurant, culinary catering management/manager this year. Diablo Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,312, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager graduates is $9,205. Early-career restaurant, culinary catering management/manager graduates make about $27,813. That is a strong return on a $9,205 median debt.

15

Seattle Community College South Campus earned the #15 position for value in restaurant, culinary catering management/manager this year. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle Community College South Campus is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,208, with out-of-state students paying around $5,796. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,486.

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16
Chaffey College crest
Chaffey College
Rancho Cucamonga, CA

Chaffey College came in at #16 for value in restaurant, culinary catering management/manager this year. Set in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga, Chaffey College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,184 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,120. Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/manager graduates carry a median of $6,952 in student loans. Soon after graduation, restaurant, culinary catering management/manager degree recipients from Chaffey College generally make around $23,532. That is a strong return on a $6,952 median debt.

17

City College Of San Francisco came in at #17 for value in restaurant, culinary catering management/manager this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, City College Of San Francisco is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,696, with out-of-state students paying around $14,656. Typical student debt for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager graduates is $10,332. Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/manager graduates of City College Of San Francisco earn a median of $100,031 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

18

West Hills College Lemoore earned the #18 position for value in restaurant, culinary catering management/manager this year. Set in the rural area of Lemoore, West Hills College Lemoore is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,384, while out-of-state students pay about $10,954. Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/manager graduates carry a median of $9,687 in student loans. Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/manager graduates of West Hills College Lemoore earn a median of $40,499 early in their careers. Set against $9,687 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19

Southwestern Oregon Community College came in at #19 for value in restaurant, culinary catering management/manager this year. Located in the town of Coos Bay, Southwestern Oregon Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,192. Typical student debt for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, restaurant, culinary catering management/manager degree recipients from Southwestern Oregon Community College generally make around $27,791. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20
San Bernardino Valley College crest
San Bernardino Valley College
San Bernardino, CA

San Bernardino Valley College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value restaurant, culinary catering management/manager schools. Located in the city of San Bernardino, San Bernardino Valley College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,196 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,528. Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/manager graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, restaurant, culinary catering management/manager degree recipients from San Bernardino Valley College generally make around $69,642. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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21

Los Angeles Trade Technical College placed #21 among the best values for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Trade Technical College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,238, with out-of-state students paying around $10,572. Students borrow a median of $14,833 to complete the restaurant, culinary catering management/manager program here. Soon after graduation, restaurant, culinary catering management/manager degree recipients from Los Angeles Trade Technical College generally make around $53,553. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

22

Southwestern College Chula Vista earned the #22 position for value in restaurant, culinary catering management/manager this year. Set in the city of Chula Vista, Southwestern College Chula Vista is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,344, with out-of-state students paying around $10,640. Typical student debt for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager graduates is $11,205. Early-career restaurant, culinary catering management/manager graduates make about $49,358. That is a strong return on a $11,205 median debt.

23

Los Angeles Mission College earned the #23 position for value in restaurant, culinary catering management/manager this year. Set in the city of Sylmar, Los Angeles Mission College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,238, while out-of-state students pay about $10,572. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,834 ten years after entry.

24

Avtec Alaskas Institute Of Technology landed the #24 spot for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager value this year. Avtec Alaskas Institute Of Technology is a small public school located in the rural area of Seward. Early-career restaurant, culinary catering management/manager graduates make about $38,191.

25

Columbia College Sonora ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value restaurant, culinary catering management/manager schools. Columbia College Sonora is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Sonora. In-state tuition and fees average $1,282, while out-of-state students pay about $9,264. Students borrow a median of $13,293 to complete the restaurant, culinary catering management/manager program here. Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/manager graduates of Columbia College Sonora earn a median of $103,727 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,293 median debt.

Rest of the Top 26 Best Value Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/Manager Schools

These schools also delivered strong value for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager this year:

26
Laney College crest
Laney College
Oakland, CA

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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 · 40 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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