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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Personal & Culinary Services Schools in the The Plains States Region

10 Colleges in the United States
$11,978 Avg Student Debt
$32,546 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Personal & Culinary Services Badge [Personal & Culinary Services](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. 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 143 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 The Plains States Region

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

Metropolitan Community College Area earned the #1 spot for value among personal & culinary services schools in the The Plains States Region. Set in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,375, with out-of-state students paying around $4,950. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $12,799 in student loans. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Area generally make around $45,583. Set against $12,799 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Students looking for strong value in personal & culinary services will find it at Hutchinson Community College, which ranked #2. Hutchinson Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Hutchinson. Students from in state pay about $3,540 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,770. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $18,148. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Hutchinson Community College earn a median of $17,437 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3
Central Community College crest
Central Community College
Grand Island, NE

A rank of #3 makes Central Community College one of the best values for personal & culinary services. Central Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Grand Island. In-state tuition and fees average $3,360, while out-of-state students pay about $4,800. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $10,277 in student loans. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Central Community College generally make around $43,218. That is a strong return on a $10,277 median debt.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Saint Louis Community College earned it the #4 place for personal & culinary services. Saint Louis Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Bridgeton. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $6,990. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $11,424. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Saint Louis Community College earn a median of $26,458 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,424 median debt.

5

Fort Scott Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. Set in the town of Fort Scott, Fort Scott Community College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,390, compared with $3,840 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $5,500. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Fort Scott Community College earn a median of $20,691 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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6

Southeast Community College Area placed #6 among the best values for personal & culinary services. Set in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,444, compared with $4,032 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,146 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Southeast Community College Area generally make around $31,590. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Seward County Community College And Area Technical School placed #7 among the best values for personal & culinary services. Located in the town of Liberal, Seward County Community College And Area Technical School is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,032 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,408. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $9,175 in student loans. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Seward County Community College And Area Technical School generally make around $53,375. That is a strong return on a $9,175 median debt.

8

Dodge City Community College earned the #8 position for value in personal & culinary services this year. Located in the town of Dodge City, Dodge City Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,650, while out-of-state students pay about $5,850. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,427 ten years after entry.

9

Garden City Community College earned the #9 position for value in personal & culinary services this year. Located in the town of Garden City, Garden City Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,690, with out-of-state students paying around $4,320. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $18,724. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10
Kirkwood Community College crest
Kirkwood Community College
Cedar Rapids, IA

Kirkwood Community College landed the #10 spot for personal & culinary services value this year. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,176, while out-of-state students pay about $8,220. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $15,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Kirkwood Community College generally make around $21,391. Set against $15,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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11

Ozarks Technical Community College placed #11 among the best values for personal & culinary services. Set in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,256, compared with $7,040 for out-of-state students. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $10,501 in student loans. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Ozarks Technical Community College generally make around $25,879. That is a strong return on a $10,501 median debt.

12

Riverland Community College earned the #12 position for value in personal & culinary services this year. Set in the town of Austin, Riverland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,297. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $15,732. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Riverland Community College generally make around $49,194. That is a strong return on a $15,732 median debt.

13

Western Iowa Tech Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. Located in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,186 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,330 for out-of-state students. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $12,530 in student loans. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $24,061. Set against $12,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

Cowley County Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. Cowley County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Arkansas City. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800, compared with $6,600 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $9,312. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $34,099. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

15
Century College crest
Century College
White Bear Lake, MN

Century College came in at #15 for value in personal & culinary services this year. Century College is a large public school located in the suburb of White Bear Lake. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,214. Students borrow a median of $21,332 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $47,502. That is a strong return on a $21,332 median debt.

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16
Hennepin Technical College crest
Hennepin Technical College
Brooklyn Park, MN

Hennepin Technical College earned the #16 position for value in personal & culinary services this year. Set in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, Hennepin Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,940 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $17,887 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Hennepin Technical College earn a median of $52,059 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,887 median debt.

17
Ridgewater College crest
Ridgewater College
Willmar, MN

Ridgewater College came in at #17 for value in personal & culinary services this year. Located in the town of Willmar, Ridgewater College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,121. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $9,750. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Ridgewater College earn a median of $21,574 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

18

Eastern Iowa Community College District placed #18 among the best values for personal & culinary services. Set in the city of Davenport, Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,848 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,456 for out-of-state students. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $15,995 in student loans. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $41,510. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19

Iowa Western Community College earned the #19 position for value in personal & culinary services this year. Located in the suburb of Council Bluffs, Iowa Western Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,930, compared with $7,080 for out-of-state students. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $15,153 in student loans. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $43,444. That is a strong return on a $15,153 median debt.

20

Minnesota State Community And Technical College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. Located in the rural area of Fergus Falls, Minnesota State Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,908 in tuition and fees. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $10,169 in student loans. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $24,367. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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21

Des Moines Area Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. Located in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,790, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $12,363 in student loans. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Des Moines Area Community College earn a median of $32,059 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,363 median debt.

22

Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College landed the #22 spot for personal & culinary services value this year. Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Saint Paul. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,326. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $15,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College generally make around $32,912. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

23

Minnesota West Community And Technical College landed the #23 spot for personal & culinary services value this year. Minnesota West Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Granite Falls. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,491. Students borrow a median of $8,730 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Minnesota West Community And Technical College generally make around $17,767. That is a strong return on a $8,730 median debt.

24

Northwest Kansas Technical College landed the #24 spot for personal & culinary services value this year. Located in the town of Goodland, Northwest Kansas Technical College is a small public university. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Northwest Kansas Technical College generally make around $41,638.

25

Warrensburg Area Career Center earned the #25 position for value in personal & culinary services this year. Located in the town of Warrensburg, Warrensburg Area Career Center is a small public university. Students borrow a median of $12,614 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Warrensburg Area Career Center earn a median of $23,749 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,614 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.

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

Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in personal & culinary services:

26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
Mitsu Sato Hair Academy crest
Mitsu Sato Hair Academy
Overland Park, KS
34
35
36
37
Trend Setters School crest
Trend Setters School
Cape Girardeau, MO
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
E Q School Of Hair Design crest
E Q School Of Hair Design
Council Bluffs, IA
46
47
48
Capri College Cedar Rapids crest
Capri College Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids, IA
49
50

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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 · 143 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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