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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Personal & Culinary Services Associate’s Degree Schools

116 Colleges in the United States
$13,441 Avg Student Debt
$40,036 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Personal & Culinary Services Associate's Degree Badge [Personal & Culinary Services](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong personal & culinary services education at a price that pays off.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 2058 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for personal & culinary services students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Personal & Culinary Services Schools in the United States

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the personal & culinary services degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Personal & Culinary Services Schools

1

Our analysis ranked Suffolk County Community College the best value for a degree in personal & culinary services in the United States. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $11,246 in student loans. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $35,667. That is a strong return on a $11,246 median debt.

2
Golden West College crest
Golden West College
Huntington Beach, CA

A rank of #2 makes Golden West College one of the best values for personal & culinary services. Located in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,380, compared with $11,628 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $21,500. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $82,984. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt.

3

A rank of #3 makes Central Piedmont Community College one of the best values for personal & culinary services. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Students from in state pay about $2,792 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $11,861. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $27,127. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Metropolitan Community College Area earned it the #4 place for personal & culinary services. Located in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,375, compared with $4,950 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,799 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $45,583. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5
El Centro College crest
El Centro College
Dallas, TX

A rank of #5 makes El Centro College one of the best values for personal & culinary services. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Students borrow a median of $9,218 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $31,770 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,218 median debt.

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6

Clover Park Technical College landed the #6 spot for personal & culinary services value 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.

7

Central New Mexico Community College placed #7 among the best values for personal & culinary services. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $10,112. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $20,292. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Kapiolani Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. Set in the city of Honolulu, Kapiolani Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,284, while out-of-state students pay about $8,420. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $10,087 in student loans. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Kapiolani Community College earn a median of $26,882 early in their careers. Set against $10,087 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9
Eastern Wyoming College crest
Eastern Wyoming College
Torrington, WY

Eastern Wyoming College placed #9 among the best values for personal & culinary services. Located in the town of Torrington, Eastern Wyoming College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,290, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $7,690 in student loans. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $24,995. That is a strong return on a $7,690 median debt.

10
Grossmont College crest
Grossmont College
El Cajon, CA

Grossmont College landed the #10 spot for personal & culinary services value this year. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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.

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Cerritos College crest
Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA

Cerritos College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $11,306. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $13,133 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

Moraine Valley Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. 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, compared with $9,846 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $11,149. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Moraine Valley Community College generally make around $43,844. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13
College Of The Canyons crest
College Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA

College Of The Canyons came in at #13 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

Central Carolina Community College placed #14 among the best values for personal & culinary services. Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Sanford. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $24,101. That is a strong return on a $12,167 median debt.

15
Santa Monica College crest
Santa Monica College
Santa Monica, CA

Santa Monica College earned the #15 position for value in personal & culinary services this year. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.

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San Diego Mesa College came in at #16 for value in personal & culinary services this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $6,999 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $29,852. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

17

Mt San Antonio College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $9,384. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.

18

Renton Technical College earned the #18 position for value in personal & culinary services this year. Set in the city of Renton, Renton Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,330, with out-of-state students paying around $7,768. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $18,582 in student loans. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $80,411. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19

Cuyahoga Community College District earned the #19 position for value in personal & culinary services this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,249 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,249. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $14,636. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $39,394. That is a strong return on a $14,636 median debt.

20

Kalamazoo Valley Community College came in at #20 for value in personal & culinary services this year. Set in the suburb of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,144, with out-of-state students paying around $9,094. Students borrow a median of $14,382 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Kalamazoo Valley Community College earn a median of $26,843 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,382 median debt.

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Orange Coast College crest
Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, CA

Orange Coast College placed #21 among the best values for personal & culinary services. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. In-state tuition and fees average $1,392, while out-of-state students pay about $11,640. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $8,978 in student loans. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $46,306. That is a strong return on a $8,978 median debt.

22
Citrus College crest
Citrus College
Glendora, CA

Citrus College landed the #22 spot for personal & culinary services value this year. Citrus College is a large public school located in the suburb of Glendora. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,204, while out-of-state students pay about $10,636. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,065 ten years after entry.

23
Sacramento City College crest
Sacramento City College
Sacramento, CA

Sacramento City College came in at #23 for value in personal & culinary services this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Students borrow a median of $13,180 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Sacramento City College earn a median of $18,184 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

24

Trident Technical College landed the #24 spot for personal & culinary services value this year. Located in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,546 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,620. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Trident Technical College earn a median of $50,166 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt.

25

Pensacola State College placed #25 among the best values for personal & culinary services. Pensacola State College is a large public school located in the city of Pensacola. In-state tuition and fees average $2,361, compared with $9,463 for out-of-state students. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Pensacola State College earn a median of $23,911 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Personal & Culinary Services Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s personal & culinary services value ranking:

26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
Nassau Community College crest
Nassau Community College
Garden City, NY
35
Carl Sandburg College crest
Carl Sandburg College
Galesburg, IL
36
Butte College crest
Butte College
Oroville, CA
37
38
39
40
41
Triton College crest
Triton College
River Grove, IL
42
43
College Of Dupage crest
College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL
44
45
46
Diablo Valley College crest
Diablo Valley College
Pleasant Hill, CA
47
48
Long Beach City College crest
Long Beach City College
Long Beach, CA
49
50

Other Personal & Culinary Services Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Personal & Culinary Services rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Personal & Culinary Services
Bachelor's Degrees in Personal & Culinary Services
Master's Degrees in Personal & Culinary Services
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View All Personal & Culinary Services Rankings >

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 2058 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 116 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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