2026 Best Value Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/Manager Schools in the Southeast Region
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 30 schools to find the best return on investment for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager students.
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2026 Best Value Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/Manager Schools in the Southeast 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
Leading the list is South Georgia Technical College, our #1 best value for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager in the Southeast Region. South Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Americus. Students from in state pay about $3,992 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,202. Typical student debt for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager graduates is $10,423. Early-career restaurant, culinary catering management/manager graduates make about $40,497. That is a strong return on a $10,423 median debt.
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in restaurant, culinary catering management/manager, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Valdosta, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,480 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,048. Typical student debt for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager graduates is $10,864. Soon after graduation, restaurant, culinary catering management/manager degree recipients from Wiregrass Georgia Technical College generally make around $40,452. Set against $10,864 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value restaurant, culinary catering management/manager schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $5,868. Typical student debt for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager graduates is $8,492. Early-career restaurant, culinary catering management/manager graduates make about $41,229. Set against $8,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pensacola State College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value restaurant, culinary catering management/manager schools. Set in the city of Pensacola, Pensacola State College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,361, while out-of-state students pay about $9,463. Typical student debt for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager graduates is $9,191. Early-career restaurant, culinary catering management/manager graduates make about $45,811. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Georgia Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in restaurant, culinary catering management/manager, landing the #5 spot this year. West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Waco. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,410, while out-of-state students pay about $5,978. Students borrow a median of $12,651 to complete the restaurant, culinary catering management/manager program here. Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/manager graduates of West Georgia Technical College earn a median of $39,922 early in their careers. Set against $12,651 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida State College At Jacksonville ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value restaurant, culinary catering management/manager schools. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,657, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,139 to complete the restaurant, culinary catering management/manager program here. Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/manager graduates of Florida State College At Jacksonville earn a median of $46,748 early in their careers. Set against $19,139 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gulf Coast State College earned the #7 position for value in restaurant, culinary catering management/manager this year. Gulf Coast State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Panama City. Students from in state pay about $2,370 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,635. Typical student debt for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager graduates is $8,286. Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/manager 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.
Southern Crescent Technical College placed #8 among the best values for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager. Located in the town of Griffin, Southern Crescent Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,516, with out-of-state students paying around $6,084. Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/manager graduates carry a median of $17,619 in student loans. Early-career restaurant, culinary catering management/manager graduates make about $45,062. That is a strong return on a $17,619 median debt.
North Georgia Technical College came in at #9 for value in restaurant, culinary catering management/manager this year. Located in the rural area of Clarkesville, North Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,330, compared with $5,898 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager graduates is $12,279. Early-career restaurant, culinary catering management/manager graduates make about $17,383. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Blue Ridge Community And Technical College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value restaurant, culinary catering management/manager schools. Blue Ridge Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Martinsburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,752, while out-of-state students pay about $8,808. Typical student debt for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager graduates is $18,402. Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/manager graduates of Blue Ridge Community And Technical College earn a median of $41,032 early in their careers. Set against $18,402 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indian River State College earned the #11 position 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,764, while out-of-state students pay about $10,201. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the restaurant, culinary catering management/manager program here. Early-career restaurant, culinary catering management/manager graduates make about $44,082. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hillsborough Community College earned the #12 position for value in restaurant, culinary catering management/manager this year. Set in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,491, with out-of-state students paying around $9,088. Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/manager graduates carry a median of $19,657 in student loans. Early-career restaurant, culinary catering management/manager graduates make about $29,451. That is a strong return on a $19,657 median debt.
Ogeechee Technical College placed #13 among the best values for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager. Located in the town of Statesboro, Ogeechee Technical College is a mid-sized public university. 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 restaurant, culinary catering management/manager program here. Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/manager graduates of Ogeechee Technical College earn a median of $35,521 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,894 median debt.
Northwest Florida State College placed #14 among the best values for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager. Northwest Florida State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Niceville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,583, compared with $10,612 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager graduates is $11,566. Early-career restaurant, culinary catering management/manager graduates make about $48,463. Set against $11,566 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lanier Technical College landed the #15 spot for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager value this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, Lanier Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,980, while out-of-state students pay about $7,190. Students borrow a median of $12,278 to complete the restaurant, culinary catering management/manager program here. Soon after graduation, restaurant, culinary catering management/manager degree recipients from Lanier Technical College generally make around $37,118. Set against $12,278 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Miami Dade College landed the #16 spot for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager value this year. Set in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,838, compared with $9,661 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager graduates is $10,882. Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/manager graduates of Miami Dade College earn a median of $31,101 early in their careers. Set against $10,882 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Daytona State College came in at #17 for value in restaurant, culinary catering management/manager this year. Daytona State College is a large public school located in the city of Daytona Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,106, with out-of-state students paying around $11,994. Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/manager graduates carry a median of $12,557 in student loans. Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/manager graduates of Daytona State College earn a median of $43,320 early in their careers. Set against $12,557 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Augusta Technical College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value restaurant, culinary catering management/manager schools. Located in the city of Augusta, Augusta Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,282 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,492. Typical student debt for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager graduates is $11,400. Early-career restaurant, culinary catering management/manager graduates make about $41,892. Set against $11,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Nunez Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value restaurant, culinary catering management/manager schools. Located in the suburb of Chalmette, Nunez Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,255. Typical student debt for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager graduates is $15,000. Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/manager graduates of Nunez Community College earn a median of $40,200 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Valencia College landed the #20 spot for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager value this year. Set in the city of Orlando, Valencia College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,664 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,576. Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/manager graduates carry a median of $17,468 in student loans. Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/manager graduates of Valencia College earn a median of $25,227 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,468 median debt.
Pulaski Technical College landed the #21 spot for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager value this year. Set in the city of North Little Rock, Pulaski Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,300 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,450 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,250 to complete the restaurant, culinary catering management/manager program here. Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/manager graduates of Pulaski Technical College earn a median of $25,597 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,250 median debt.
Broward College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value restaurant, culinary catering management/manager schools. Broward College is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Lauderdale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,830, compared with $8,952 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,110 to complete the restaurant, culinary catering management/manager program here. Soon after graduation, restaurant, culinary catering management/manager degree recipients from Broward College generally make around $51,328. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Remington College Memphis Campus came in at #23 for value in restaurant, culinary catering management/manager this year. Located in the city of Memphis, Remington College Memphis Campus is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $17,083 in tuition and fees. Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/manager graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/manager graduates of Remington College Memphis Campus earn a median of $25,389 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Florida Education Institute earned the #24 position for value in restaurant, culinary catering management/manager this year. Florida Education Institute is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Miami. Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/manager graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, restaurant, culinary catering management/manager degree recipients from Florida Education Institute generally make around $20,531. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 30 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
