by our College Data Analytics Team
[Personal & Culinary Services](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 75 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for personal & culinary services students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the personal & culinary services degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in personal & culinary services, no school beat Wilkes Community College this year. Set in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,572, while out-of-state students pay about $8,716. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $9,125. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $36,341. That is a strong return on a $9,125 median debt.
Central Carolina Community College came in at #2 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,711, with out-of-state students paying around $8,855. Students borrow a median of $12,167 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Central Carolina Community College generally make around $24,101. That is a strong return on a $12,167 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Piedmont Community College earned it the #3 place for personal & culinary services. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fayetteville Technical Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in personal & culinary services, landing the #4 spot this year. Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,628, compared with $8,772 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $6,987. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $48,022. Set against $6,987 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Durham Technical Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. Set in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,240, compared with $7,531 for out-of-state students. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $20,408 in student loans. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Durham Technical Community College generally make around $46,293. That is a strong return on a $20,408 median debt.
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Cleveland Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. Located in the town of Shelby, Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,602 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,746. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $7,131. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Cleveland Community College generally make around $13,347. That is a strong return on a $7,131 median debt.
Sampson Community College earned the #7 position for value in personal & culinary services this year. Sampson Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Clinton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,877, while out-of-state students pay about $9,789. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $12,596. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Sampson Community College earn a median of $45,929 early in their careers. Set against $12,596 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Stanly Community College landed the #8 spot for personal & culinary services value this year. Set in the town of Albemarle, Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,672, while out-of-state students pay about $8,816. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Stanly Community College generally make around $41,920.
Johnston Community College earned the #9 position for value in personal & culinary services this year. Located in the town of Smithfield, Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,756, with out-of-state students paying around $8,900. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $9,490 in student loans. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $37,472. That is a strong return on a $9,490 median debt.
Martin Community College landed the #10 spot for personal & culinary services value this year. Set in the town of Williamston, Martin Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,523, with out-of-state students paying around $8,667. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Martin Community College earn a median of $42,820 early in their careers.
James Sprunt Community College earned the #11 position for value in personal & culinary services this year. Located in the rural area of Kenansville, James Sprunt Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,592, with out-of-state students paying around $8,736. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $11,278. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of James Sprunt Community College earn a median of $35,264 early in their careers. Set against $11,278 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rowan Cabarrus Community College landed the #12 spot for personal & culinary services value this year. Rowan Cabarrus Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salisbury. Students from in state pay about $2,064 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,672. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Rowan Cabarrus Community College earn a median of $22,578 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Nash Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. Set in the rural area of Rocky Mount, Nash Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,866, while out-of-state students pay about $8,866. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $16,969. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Nash Community College generally make around $45,512. Set against $16,969 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Craven Community College placed #14 among the best values for personal & culinary services. Located in the town of New Bern, Craven Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,022, while out-of-state students pay about $6,630. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $8,924 in student loans. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Craven Community College generally make around $7,388. Set against $8,924 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lenoir Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. Lenoir Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kinston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,578, compared with $8,822 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $9,984. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Lenoir Community College earn a median of $14,172 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cape Fear Community College came in at #16 for value in personal & culinary services this year. Located in the city of Wilmington, Cape Fear Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,748 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,892. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $12,388. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Cape Fear Community College generally make around $42,889. Set against $12,388 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Vance Granville Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. Vance Granville Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Henderson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,944, while out-of-state students pay about $6,552. Students borrow a median of $14,833 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Vance Granville Community College earn a median of $43,272 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,833 median debt.
College Of The Albemarle ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. College Of The Albemarle is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Elizabeth City. In-state tuition and fees average $2,242, while out-of-state students pay about $7,652. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $10,240. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from College Of The Albemarle generally make around $50,506. That is a strong return on a $10,240 median debt.
Surry Community College came in at #19 for value in personal & culinary services this year. Set in the rural area of Dobson, Surry Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,668 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,812 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $9,537. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Surry Community College generally make around $47,188. Set against $9,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Robeson Community College landed the #20 spot for personal & culinary services value this year. Located in the town of Lumberton, Robeson Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,604, compared with $8,748 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,949 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Robeson Community College earn a median of $52,951 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwestern Community College Sylva came in at #21 for value in personal & culinary services this year. Southwestern Community College Sylva is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Sylva. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,112, with out-of-state students paying around $13,184. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $13,708. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Southwestern Community College Sylva earn a median of $14,354 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Beaufort County Community College came in at #22 for value in personal & culinary services this year. Set in the rural area of Washington, Beaufort County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,540, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Students borrow a median of $7,947 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $38,009. That is a strong return on a $7,947 median debt.
Mitchell Community College came in at #23 for value in personal & culinary services this year. Mitchell Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Statesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,651, compared with $8,795 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $6,313. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $40,450. Set against $6,313 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gaston College earned the #24 position for value in personal & culinary services this year. Gaston College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Dallas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,186, while out-of-state students pay about $9,330. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $10,915 in student loans. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Gaston College earn a median of $27,008 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Leons Beauty School Inc earned the #25 position for value in personal & culinary services this year. Set in the city of Greensboro, Leons Beauty School Inc is a small private for-profit institution. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Leons Beauty School Inc earn a median of $17,247 early in their careers.
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This list is compiled 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 · 75 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.