ADBLOCK #102
College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Personal & Culinary Services Schools in Tennessee

1 Colleges in the United States
$11,318 Avg Student Debt
$30,962 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Personal & Culinary Services 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.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 57 schools to find the best return on investment for personal & culinary services students.

What’s on this page:

ADBLOCK #159
DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 1
DEBUG: ROOT LEVEL MAJOR detected (no cip4), lowering min_relevance to 0.5
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.5, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "Trade & Vocational Programs (Culinary & Pastry)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Trade & Vocational Programs (Culinary & Pastry)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 1
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 1 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.5
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 1
DEBUG: ESYOH offers found, rendering ESYOH widget
DEBUG: most_relevant_only = true, filtering for most relevant
DEBUG: Found 0 offers with relevance >= 1.0
DEBUG: Backfilling with 0 offers with relevance >= 0.9
DEBUG: Backfilling with 1 offers with relevance >= 0.8

2026 Best Value Personal & Culinary Services Schools in Tennessee

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in personal & culinary services, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Personal & Culinary Services Schools

1

Walters State Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools in Tennessee. Walters State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Morristown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,752, compared with $17,736 for out-of-state students. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $10,210 in student loans. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $35,866. That is a strong return on a $10,210 median debt.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pellissippi State Community College earned it the #2 place for personal & culinary services. Located in the suburb of Knoxville, Pellissippi State Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,786, with out-of-state students paying around $17,770. Students borrow a median of $8,951 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $43,816. Set against $8,951 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

A rank of #3 makes Nashville State Community College one of the best values for personal & culinary services. Set in the city of Nashville, Nashville State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,730, with out-of-state students paying around $17,714. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $16,745 in student loans. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Nashville State Community College generally make around $41,456. Set against $16,745 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Southwest Tennessee Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in personal & culinary services, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Memphis, Southwest Tennessee Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,766, compared with $17,750 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $11,406. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $43,592. Set against $11,406 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

A rank of #5 makes Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Murfreesboro one of the best values for personal & culinary services. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Murfreesboro is a small public university. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $10,723. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $22,176. That is a strong return on a $10,723 median debt.

ADBLOCK #101
6

Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Nashville came in at #6 for value in personal & culinary services this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Nashville is a small public university. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $9,300. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Nashville generally make around $20,870. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Mcminnville landed the #7 spot for personal & culinary services value this year. Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Mcminnville is a small public school located in the town of McMinnville. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Mcminnville earn a median of $40,469 early in their careers.

8

Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Dickson earned the #8 position for value in personal & culinary services this year. Set in the rural area of Dickson, Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Dickson is a small public institution. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $18,956. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Paris placed #9 among the best values for personal & culinary services. Set in the town of Paris, Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Paris is a small public institution. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Paris generally make around $14,797. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Memphis earned the #10 position for value in personal & culinary services this year. Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Memphis is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Memphis. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $12,073. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Memphis earn a median of $18,312 early in their careers. Set against $12,073 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

ADBLOCK #115
11

Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Knoxville earned the #11 position for value in personal & culinary services this year. Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Knoxville is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Knoxville. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $10,639 in student loans. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Knoxville generally make around $17,458. Set against $10,639 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Morristown earned the #12 position for value in personal & culinary services this year. Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Morristown is a small public school located in the city of Morristown. Students borrow a median of $8,000 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Morristown generally make around $16,068. Set against $8,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Jacksboro landed the #13 spot for personal & culinary services value this year. Set in the town of Jacksboro, Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Jacksboro is a small public institution. Students borrow a median of $7,439 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Jacksboro earn a median of $15,454 early in their careers. Set against $7,439 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14
Goulds Academy crest
Goulds Academy
Memphis, TN

Goulds Academy ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. Set in the city of Memphis, Goulds Academy is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $10,149 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Goulds Academy earn a median of $20,194 early in their careers.

15

Tennessee School Of Beauty Of Knoxville Inc earned the #15 position for value in personal & culinary services this year. Located in the city of Knoxville, Tennessee School Of Beauty Of Knoxville Inc is a small private for-profit university. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Tennessee School Of Beauty Of Knoxville Inc earn a median of $17,506 early in their careers.

ADBLOCK #145
16

Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Harriman ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. Located in the rural area of Harriman, Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Harriman is a small public university. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $10,601 in student loans. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $19,479. That is a strong return on a $10,601 median debt.

17

Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Hohenwald earned the #17 position for value in personal & culinary services this year. Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Hohenwald is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Hohenwald. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Hohenwald earn a median of $17,987 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.

18
Love Beauty School Inc crest
Love Beauty School Inc
Manchester, TN

Love Beauty School Inc came in at #18 for value in personal & culinary services this year. Set in the town of Manchester, Love Beauty School Inc is a small private for-profit institution. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $11,442. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.

19

Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Elizabethton ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. Located in the suburb of Elizabethton, Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Elizabethton is a small public university. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $9,281. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $29,309. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20

Arnolds Beauty School placed #20 among the best values for personal & culinary services. Located in the town of Milan, Arnolds Beauty School is a small private for-profit university. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $11,000. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Arnolds Beauty School earn a median of $14,553 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

ADBLOCK #150
21

Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Newbern ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. Set in the rural area of Newbern, Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Newbern is a mid-sized public institution. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $12,140. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

22

The Salon Professional Academy Nashville earned the #22 position for value in personal & culinary services this year. The Salon Professional Academy Nashville is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $9,833. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of The Salon Professional Academy Nashville earn a median of $25,878 early in their careers.

23

Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Crossville ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. Set in the town of Crossville, Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Crossville is a small public institution. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $6,398 in student loans. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $30,984. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

24

Jenny Lea Academy Of Cosmetology Johnson City ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. Set in the city of Johnson City, Jenny Lea Academy Of Cosmetology Johnson City is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $9,833 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Jenny Lea Academy Of Cosmetology Johnson City generally make around $14,598. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

25

Elite College Of Cosmetology earned the #25 position for value in personal & culinary services this year. Set in the town of Lexington, Elite College Of Cosmetology is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Elite College Of Cosmetology earn a median of $13,568 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

Rest of the Top 48 Best Value Personal & Culinary Services Schools

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

26
Career Beauty College crest
Career Beauty College
Lawrenceburg, TN
27
28
29
30
31
John A Gupton College crest
John A Gupton College
Nashville, TN
32
Image Maker Beauty Institute crest
Image Maker Beauty Institute
Hendersonville, TN
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
Nossi College Of Art crest
Nossi College Of Art
Nashville, TN
46
Franklin Academy crest
Franklin Academy
Cleveland, TN
47
48

ADBLOCK #173
View All Personal & Culinary Services Rankings >

ADBLOCK #115

Notes and References

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 · 57 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

ADBLOCK #116

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs
ADBLOCK #613

Compare Your School Options