2026 Best Value Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/Manager Schools in California
[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 33 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value restaurant, culinary catering management/manager schools.
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2026 Best Value Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/Manager Schools in California
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
For return on investment in restaurant, culinary catering management/manager, no school beat Cerritos College this year. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager graduates is $11,306. Early-career restaurant, culinary catering management/manager graduates make about $29,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes College Of The Canyons one of the best values for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Typical student debt for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager graduates is $9,776. Soon after graduation, restaurant, culinary catering management/manager degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grossmont College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value restaurant, culinary catering management/manager schools. 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.
Mt San Antonio College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value restaurant, culinary catering management/manager schools. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Typical student debt for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager graduates is $9,384. Soon after graduation, restaurant, culinary catering management/manager degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in restaurant, culinary catering management/manager will find it at American River College, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Students borrow a median of $14,105 to complete the restaurant, culinary catering management/manager program here. 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.
Allan Hancock College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value restaurant, culinary catering management/manager schools. Set in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, compared with $9,892 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,786.
Victor Valley College placed #7 among the best values for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager. Set in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,425, while out-of-state students pay about $10,125. Students borrow a median of $7,995 to complete the restaurant, culinary catering management/manager program here. Soon after graduation, restaurant, culinary catering management/manager degree recipients from Victor Valley College generally make around $37,755. That is a strong return on a $7,995 median debt.
Cypress College earned the #8 position for value in restaurant, culinary catering management/manager this year. Set in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,150 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,379. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,533 ten years after entry.
Orange Coast College placed #9 among the best values for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,392, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/manager graduates carry a median of $8,978 in student loans. 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.
Santa Rosa Junior College landed the #10 spot for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager value this year. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,318 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/manager graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/manager graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bakersfield College placed #11 among the best values for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager. Located in the city of Bakersfield, Bakersfield College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,430, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager graduates is $9,419. Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/manager graduates of Bakersfield College earn a median of $86,312 early in their careers. Set against $9,419 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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, while out-of-state students pay about $12,500. Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/manager graduates carry a median of $17,223 in student loans. Median earnings reach $50,936 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Diablo Valley College placed #13 among the best values for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager. Set in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,312, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. 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. Set against $9,205 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chaffey College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value restaurant, culinary catering management/manager schools. Located in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga, Chaffey College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,184 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,120. Students borrow a median of $6,952 to complete the restaurant, culinary catering management/manager program here. Early-career restaurant, culinary catering management/manager graduates make about $23,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City College Of San Francisco earned the #15 position 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, while out-of-state students pay about $14,656. Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/manager graduates carry a median of $10,332 in student loans. Early-career restaurant, culinary catering management/manager graduates make about $100,031. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Hills College Lemoore ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value restaurant, culinary catering management/manager schools. West Hills College Lemoore is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Lemoore. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,384, with out-of-state students paying around $10,954. Typical student debt for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager graduates is $9,687. Early-career restaurant, culinary catering management/manager graduates make about $40,499. That is a strong return on a $9,687 median debt.
San Bernardino Valley College earned the #17 position for value in restaurant, culinary catering management/manager this year. Set in the city of San Bernardino, San Bernardino Valley College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,196 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,528. Typical student debt for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, restaurant, culinary catering management/manager degree recipients from San Bernardino Valley College generally make around $69,642. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt.
Los Angeles Trade Technical College placed #18 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. Students from in state pay about $1,238 in tuition and fees, 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. That is a strong return on a $14,833 median debt.
Southwestern College Chula Vista earned the #19 position for value in restaurant, culinary catering management/manager this year. Southwestern College Chula Vista is a very large public school located in the city of Chula Vista. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,344, while out-of-state students pay about $10,640. Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/manager graduates carry a median of $11,205 in student loans. Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/manager graduates of Southwestern College Chula Vista earn a median of $49,358 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Los Angeles Mission College landed the #20 spot for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager value this year. Located in the city of Sylmar, Los Angeles Mission College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,238, while out-of-state students pay about $10,572. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,834.
Columbia College Sonora landed the #21 spot for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager value this year. Set in the rural area of Sonora, Columbia College Sonora is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,282, with out-of-state students paying around $9,264. Typical student debt for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager graduates is $13,293. Early-career restaurant, culinary catering management/manager graduates make about $103,727. Set against $13,293 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Laney College came in at #22 for value in restaurant, culinary catering management/manager this year. Set in the city of Oakland, Laney College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,258 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,898. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $37,282.
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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 · 33 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
