2026 Best Value Personal & Culinary Services Schools in Wisconsin
[Personal & Culinary Services](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong personal & culinary services education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 34 schools to find the best return on investment for personal & culinary services students.
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2026 Best Value Personal & Culinary Services Schools in Wisconsin
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in personal & culinary services, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Personal & Culinary Services Schools
Lakeshore Technical College tops our 2026 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools in Wisconsin. Set in the rural area of Cleveland, Lakeshore Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,844 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,087. Students borrow a median of $11,582 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Lakeshore Technical College generally make around $41,252. Set against $11,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gateway Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in personal & culinary services, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Kenosha, Gateway Technical College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,956, compared with $7,199 for out-of-state students. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $7,958 in student loans. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Gateway Technical College generally make around $42,410. Set against $7,958 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College one of the best values for personal & culinary services. Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Rice Lake. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,926, while out-of-state students pay about $7,169. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $18,294. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Waukesha County Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in personal & culinary services, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Pewaukee, Waukesha County Technical College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,803, with out-of-state students paying around $7,046. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $9,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Waukesha County Technical College generally make around $27,049. That is a strong return on a $9,750 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Moraine Park Technical College earned it the #5 place for personal & culinary services. Located in the city of Fond du Lac, Moraine Park Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,819, while out-of-state students pay about $7,084. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $11,471. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Moraine Park Technical College earn a median of $39,552 early in their careers. Set against $11,471 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Milwaukee Area Technical College came in at #6 for value in personal & culinary services this year. Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. In-state tuition and fees average $5,184, compared with $7,427 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,943 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Milwaukee Area Technical College earn a median of $24,066 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College came in at #7 for value in personal & culinary services this year. Located in the rural area of Fennimore, Southwest Wisconsin Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,904, while out-of-state students pay about $7,147. Students borrow a median of $12,112 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Southwest Wisconsin Technical College earn a median of $42,087 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College came in at #8 for value in personal & culinary services this year. Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Green Bay. In-state tuition and fees average $4,960, with out-of-state students paying around $7,203. Students borrow a median of $14,997 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Northeast Wisconsin Technical College earn a median of $42,016 early in their careers. Set against $14,997 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mid State Technical College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. Mid State Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Wisconsin Rapids. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,002, with out-of-state students paying around $7,171. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $6,081 in student loans. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Mid State Technical College earn a median of $17,385 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fox Valley Technical College landed the #10 spot for personal & culinary services value this year. Set in the suburb of Appleton, Fox Valley Technical College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,040 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,283 for out-of-state students. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $14,234 in student loans. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $34,736. Set against $14,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Blackhawk Technical College earned the #11 position for value in personal & culinary services this year. Located in the suburb of Janesville, Blackhawk Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,747 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,803. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $13,715. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Blackhawk Technical College earn a median of $44,256 early in their careers. Set against $13,715 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chippewa Valley Technical College landed the #12 spot for personal & culinary services value this year. Located in the city of Eau Claire, Chippewa Valley Technical College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,844, with out-of-state students paying around $7,087. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $9,395 in student loans. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $23,405. Set against $9,395 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northcentral Technical College placed #13 among the best values for personal & culinary services. Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wausau. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,889, while out-of-state students pay about $7,132. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $11,709 in student loans. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $41,696. That is a strong return on a $11,709 median debt.
Madison Area Technical College placed #14 among the best values for personal & culinary services. Madison Area Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Madison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,977, with out-of-state students paying around $7,141. Students borrow a median of $8,875 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Madison Area Technical College generally make around $22,152. Set against $8,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The Salon Professional Academy Appleton placed #15 among the best values for personal & culinary services. Set in the suburb of Appleton, The Salon Professional Academy Appleton is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $11,679 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from The Salon Professional Academy Appleton generally make around $18,603. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
State College Of Beauty Culture Inc ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. Set in the city of Wausau, State College Of Beauty Culture Inc is a small private for-profit institution. Graduates go on to earn a median of $28,037 ten years after entry.
Vici Beauty School came in at #17 for value in personal & culinary services this year. Vici Beauty School is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Greenfield. Students borrow a median of $9,290 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Vici Beauty School earn a median of $21,773 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,290 median debt.
Advanced College Of Cosmetology landed the #18 spot for personal & culinary services value this year. Located in the town of Waupun, Advanced College Of Cosmetology is a small private for-profit university. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $11,420 in student loans. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Advanced College Of Cosmetology earn a median of $21,100 early in their careers.
Aveda Institute Madison came in at #19 for value in personal & culinary services this year. Aveda Institute Madison is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Madison. Students borrow a median of $10,555 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Aveda Institute Madison earn a median of $25,029 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tricoci University Of Beauty Culture Janesville landed the #20 spot for personal & culinary services value this year. Tricoci University Of Beauty Culture Janesville is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Janesville. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $13,478. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $20,302. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The Institute Of Beauty And Wellness placed #21 among the best values for personal & culinary services. Set in the city of Milwaukee, The Institute Of Beauty And Wellness is a small private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $10,555. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from The Institute Of Beauty And Wellness generally make around $25,029. Set against $10,555 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Empire Beauty School Green Bay placed #22 among the best values for personal & culinary services. Set in the suburb of Ashwaubenon, Empire Beauty School Green Bay is a small private for-profit institution. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $13,849 in student loans. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Empire Beauty School Green Bay earn a median of $18,639 early in their careers. Set against $13,849 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Empire Beauty School Milwaukee landed the #23 spot for personal & culinary services value this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Empire Beauty School Milwaukee is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $13,849 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $18,639. Set against $13,849 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
First Class Cosmetology School came in at #24 for value in personal & culinary services this year. Located in the city of Beloit, First Class Cosmetology School is a small private for-profit university. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $8,790 in student loans. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of First Class Cosmetology School earn a median of $23,235 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,790 median debt.
The Salon Professional Academy Onalaska placed #25 among the best values for personal & culinary services. Set in the city of Onalaska, The Salon Professional Academy Onalaska is a small private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $12,000. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $25,017. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 29 Best Value Personal & Culinary Services Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s personal & culinary services value ranking:
More Personal & Culinary Services Rankings
View All Personal & Culinary Services Rankings >
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 · 34 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
