by our College Data Analytics Team
[Personal & Culinary Services](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 180 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value personal & culinary services schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in personal & culinary services, balancing cost against outcomes.
Skyline College earned the #1 spot for value among personal & culinary services schools in California. Set in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $9,956. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.
A rank of #2 makes Golden West College one of the best values for personal & culinary services. Golden West College is a large public school located in the suburb of Huntington Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,380, with out-of-state students paying around $11,628. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Golden West College generally make around $82,984. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes College Of San Mateo one of the best values for personal & culinary services. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,172 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego Mesa College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in personal & culinary services, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $6,999. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $29,852 early in their careers. Set against $6,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in personal & culinary services will find it at Grossmont College, which ranked #5. Grossmont College is a large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $10,628. Median earnings reach $40,309 ten years out.
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College Of The Canyons placed #6 among the best values for personal & culinary services. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $9,776. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $51,913. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Sequoias ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,394, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $10,288. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from College Of The Sequoias generally make around $37,749. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mt San Antonio College came in at #8 for value in personal & culinary services this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $44,391. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cerritos College earned the #9 position for value in personal & culinary services this year. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, 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. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Monica College landed the #10 spot for personal & culinary services value this year. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
Santa Rosa Junior College placed #11 among the best values for personal & culinary services. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Citrus College placed #12 among the best values for personal & culinary services. Located in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,204, with out-of-state students paying around $10,636. Median earnings reach $42,065 ten years out.
Santa Ana College landed the #13 spot for personal & culinary services value this year. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. Set against $11,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santiago Canyon College landed the #14 spot for personal & culinary services value this year. Santiago Canyon College is a large public school located in the city of Orange. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,164, with out-of-state students paying around $9,612. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Santiago Canyon College earn a median of $34,100 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Pasadena City College landed the #15 spot for personal & culinary services value this year. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sacramento City College landed the #16 spot for personal & culinary services value this year. Sacramento City College is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $13,180 in student loans. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $18,184. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saddleback College came in at #17 for value in personal & culinary services this year. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $11,257. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Orange Coast College placed #18 among the best values for personal & culinary services. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,392, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $8,978 in student loans. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Orange Coast College earn a median of $46,306 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,978 median debt.
Gavilan College earned the #19 position for value in personal & culinary services this year. Located in the rural area of Gilroy, Gavilan College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $1,508 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,249. Students borrow a median of $5,939 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $28,496. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Butte College came in at #20 for value in personal & culinary services this year. Set in the rural area of Oroville, Butte College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,356 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,276. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $13,302. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Butte College generally make around $67,048. Set against $13,302 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Riverside City College earned the #21 position for value in personal & culinary services this year. Located in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Students borrow a median of $7,736 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $13,431. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Diablo Valley College came in at #22 for value in personal & culinary services this year. Diablo Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. In-state tuition and fees average $1,312, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $9,205. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $27,813. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cypress College placed #23 among the best values for personal & culinary services. Set in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public institution. 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.
Victor Valley College landed the #24 spot for personal & culinary services value this year. Set in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,425, with out-of-state students paying around $10,125. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $7,995. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $37,755. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mission College placed #25 among the best values for personal & culinary services. Mission College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Clara. Students from in state pay about $1,438 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,500. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $17,223 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,936. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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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 · 180 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.