2026 Best Value Personal & Culinary Services Schools

1

Suffolk County Community College
Selden, NY

Leading the list is Suffolk County Community College, our #1 best value for personal & culinary services in the United States. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $11,246 in student loans. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $35,667 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

South Georgia Technical College
Americus, GA

South Georgia Technical College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $7,202. Students borrow a median of $10,423 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $20,501. That is a strong return on a $10,423 median debt.

3

El Centro College
Dallas, TX

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at El Centro College earned it the #3 place for personal & culinary services. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $9,218. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $31,127 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,218 median debt.

4

Pensacola State College
Pensacola, FL

A rank of #4 makes Pensacola State College one of the best values for personal & culinary services. Pensacola State College is a large public school located in the city of Pensacola. Students from in state pay about $2,361 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,463 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $23,911. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

Skyline College
San Bruno, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Skyline College earned it the #5 place for personal & culinary services. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,956 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.

6

Golden West College
Huntington Beach, CA

Golden West College placed #6 among the best values for personal & culinary services. Located in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,380, compared with $11,628 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $82,984. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt.

7

Florida State College At Jacksonville
Jacksonville, FL

Florida State College At Jacksonville earned the #7 position for value in personal & culinary services this year. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,657, with out-of-state students paying around $9,631. Students borrow a median of $13,577 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $29,668. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Clover Park Technical College
Lakewood, WA

Clover Park Technical College came in at #8 for value in personal & culinary services this year. Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Lakewood. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,634. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $19,389. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Santa Rosa Junior College
Santa Rosa, CA

Santa Rosa Junior College earned the #9 position for value in personal & culinary services this year. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $14,692. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Metropolitan Community College Area
Omaha, NE

Metropolitan Community College Area came in at #10 for value in personal & culinary services this year. Set in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,375, while out-of-state students pay about $4,950. Students borrow a median of $12,799 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Area generally make around $45,583. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

11

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College
Valdosta, GA

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College landed the #11 spot for personal & culinary services value this year. Set in the rural area of Valdosta, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,480 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,048. Students borrow a median of $10,864 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Wiregrass Georgia Technical College generally make around $19,659. Set against $10,864 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

Wilkes Community College
Wilkesboro, NC

Wilkes Community College placed #12 among the best values for personal & culinary services. Located in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,572, with out-of-state students paying around $8,716. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $9,125. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Wilkes Community College earn a median of $36,341 early in their careers. Set against $9,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

Grossmont College
El Cajon, CA

Grossmont College placed #13 among the best values for personal & culinary services. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,628 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $40,309 ten years out.

14

College Of The Mainland
Texas City, TX

College Of The Mainland ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. Set in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,310 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,140 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $5,711. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from College Of The Mainland generally make around $18,495. Set against $5,711 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

College Of San Mateo
San Mateo, CA

College Of San Mateo landed the #15 spot for personal & culinary services value this year. Set in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,428. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $12,831. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,172. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

16

Central Piedmont Community College
Charlotte, NC

Central Piedmont Community College landed the #16 spot for personal & culinary services value this year. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,792, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $11,861 in student loans. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $27,127. That is a strong return on a $11,861 median debt.

17

College Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA

College Of The Canyons came in at #17 for value in personal & culinary services this year. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

18

Southern Crescent Technical College
Griffin, GA

Southern Crescent Technical College earned the #18 position for value in personal & culinary services this year. Set in the town of Griffin, Southern Crescent Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,516, while out-of-state students pay about $6,084. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $17,619. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $45,062. That is a strong return on a $17,619 median debt.

19

Lake Land College
Mattoon, IL

Lake Land College placed #19 among the best values for personal & culinary services. Located in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,415, while out-of-state students pay about $14,301. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $5,163. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $14,239. Set against $5,163 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

20

Georgia Northwestern Technical College
Rome, GA

Georgia Northwestern Technical College placed #20 among the best values for personal & culinary services. Set in the city of Rome, Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,300, while out-of-state students pay about $5,868. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $8,492 in student loans. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Georgia Northwestern Technical College earn a median of $41,229 early in their careers. Set against $8,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

21

Southern Regional Technical College
Thomasville, GA

Southern Regional Technical College placed #21 among the best values for personal & culinary services. Set in the town of Thomasville, Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,007, compared with $5,575 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,086 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Southern Regional Technical College generally make around $15,168. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

22

Fayetteville Technical Community College
Fayetteville, NC

Fayetteville Technical Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. Students from in state pay about $2,628 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,772. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $6,987. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Fayetteville Technical Community College earn a median of $48,022 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

23

Kapiolani Community College
Honolulu, HI

Kapiolani Community College came in at #23 for value in personal & culinary services this year. Set in the city of Honolulu, Kapiolani Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,284, with out-of-state students paying around $8,420. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $10,087 in student loans. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Kapiolani Community College generally make around $26,882. That is a strong return on a $10,087 median debt.

24

Central Carolina Community College
Sanford, NC

Central Carolina Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. Located in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,711, compared with $8,855 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,167 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Central Carolina Community College earn a median of $24,101 early in their careers. Set against $12,167 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

25

Moraine Valley Community College
Palos Hills, IL

Moraine Valley Community College came in at #25 for value in personal & culinary services this year. Moraine Valley Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Palos Hills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,822, while out-of-state students pay about $9,846. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $11,149. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $43,844. Set against $11,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.