2027 Best Value Personal & Culinary Services Schools in Illinois
[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.
College Factual analyzed 80 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value personal & culinary services schools.
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2027 Best Value Personal & Culinary Services Schools in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in personal & culinary services, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Personal & Culinary Services Schools
Joliet Junior College earned the #1 spot for value among personal & culinary services schools in Illinois. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,530, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $16,375 in student loans. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $28,252 early in their careers. Set against $16,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lake Land College earned it the #2 place for personal & culinary services. Set in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,415, with out-of-state students paying around $14,301. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $5,163 in student loans. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Lake Land College earn a median of $14,297 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Richland Community College one of the best values for personal & culinary services. Richland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Decatur. Students from in state pay about $4,680 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,070 for out-of-state students. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $9,562 in student loans. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $46,233. Set against $9,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in personal & culinary services will find it at Moraine Valley Community College, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,822, with out-of-state students paying around $9,846. Students borrow a median of $11,149 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $43,844. That is a strong return on a $11,149 median debt.
Elgin Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in personal & culinary services, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,252, with out-of-state students paying around $9,516. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $7,727. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Elgin Community College generally make around $43,975. Set against $7,727 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lincoln Land Community College came in at #6 for value in personal & culinary services this year. Set in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,744 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Students borrow a median of $11,272 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Lincoln Land Community College generally make around $43,834. Set against $11,272 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Carl Sandburg College earned the #7 position for value in personal & culinary services this year. Set in the town of Galesburg, Carl Sandburg College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,390, compared with $8,900 for out-of-state students. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $8,604 in student loans. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Carl Sandburg College earn a median of $48,534 early in their careers. Set against $8,604 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Danville Area Community College came in at #8 for value in personal & culinary services this year. Located in the town of Danville, Danville Area Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,440, compared with $7,440 for out-of-state students. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $9,470 in student loans. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Danville Area Community College generally make around $36,123. That is a strong return on a $9,470 median debt.
College Of Dupage earned the #9 position for value in personal & culinary services this year. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $12,750. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $12,492. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $26,952. That is a strong return on a $12,492 median debt.
College Of Lake County landed the #10 spot for personal & culinary services value this year. Set in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,788, while out-of-state students pay about $14,400. Students borrow a median of $9,785 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from College Of Lake County generally make around $50,314. Set against $9,785 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mchenry County College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. Mchenry County College is a large public school located in the rural area of Crystal Lake. In-state tuition and fees average $4,162, while out-of-state students pay about $14,399. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $7,440 in student loans. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Mchenry County College generally make around $24,177. Set against $7,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kaskaskia College landed the #12 spot for personal & culinary services value this year. Set in the rural area of Centralia, Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800, while out-of-state students pay about $12,570. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $7,875. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Kaskaskia College generally make around $45,658. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Suburban College placed #13 among the best values for personal & culinary services. Set in the suburb of South Holland, South Suburban College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,093 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,683. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $7,904. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $42,425. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kishwaukee College earned the #14 position for value in personal & culinary services this year. Located in the rural area of Malta, Kishwaukee College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $13,680. Students borrow a median of $10,328 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Kishwaukee College generally make around $30,398. That is a strong return on a $10,328 median debt.
Shawnee Community College landed the #15 spot for personal & culinary services value this year. Shawnee Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Ullin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,650, compared with $7,500 for out-of-state students. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $11,162 in student loans. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Shawnee Community College generally make around $39,601. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
John A Logan College came in at #16 for value in personal & culinary services this year. Set in the town of Carterville, John A Logan College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,630, compared with $7,540 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $10,479. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from John A Logan College generally make around $40,806. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College placed #17 among the best values for personal & culinary services. Located in the town of Olney, Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,260, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $9,434 in student loans. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $24,120. Set against $9,434 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College landed the #18 spot for personal & culinary services value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $12,272. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College generally make around $38,982. Set against $12,272 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Students borrow a median of $7,986 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College generally make around $19,447. That is a strong return on a $7,986 median debt.
Rend Lake College earned the #20 position for value in personal & culinary services this year. Set in the rural area of Ina, Rend Lake College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,500, with out-of-state students paying around $7,800. Students borrow a median of $8,688 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $42,770. Set against $8,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College earned the #21 position for value in personal & culinary services this year. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $11,458. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College earn a median of $27,158 early in their careers. Set against $11,458 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwestern Illinois College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. Southwestern Illinois College is a large public school located in the suburb of Belleville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,230, compared with $6,720 for out-of-state students. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $10,388 in student loans. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Southwestern Illinois College generally make around $44,345. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
National Louis University came in at #23 for value in personal & culinary services this year. Set in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,245. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of National Louis University earn a median of $24,786 early in their careers. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Southeastern Illinois College came in at #24 for value in personal & culinary services this year. Located in the rural area of Harrisburg, Southeastern Illinois College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,780. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $33,763.
Illinois Central College came in at #25 for value in personal & culinary services this year. Located in the suburb of East Peoria, Illinois Central College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800, while out-of-state students pay about $12,150. Students borrow a median of $12,222 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Illinois Central College generally make around $53,190. Set against $12,222 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Personal & Culinary Services Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for personal & culinary services this year:
More Personal & Culinary Services Rankings
View All Personal & Culinary Services Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 80 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 80 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.
