2026 Best Value Personal & Culinary Services Schools in Michigan
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 62 schools to find the best return on investment for personal & culinary services students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Personal & Culinary Services Schools in Michigan
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
Kalamazoo Valley Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools in Michigan. Located in the suburb of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,144 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,094. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $14,382. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $26,843. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Henry Ford Community 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 Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,568, compared with $7,816 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,144 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $36,247. Set against $19,144 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Northwestern Michigan College one of the best values for personal & culinary services. Set in the city of Traverse City, Northwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,860 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,476. Students borrow a median of $14,199 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $26,586. That is a strong return on a $14,199 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Oakland Community College one of the best values for personal & culinary services. Located in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,120, compared with $5,560 for out-of-state students. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $15,865 in student loans. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Oakland Community College generally make around $43,205. That is a strong return on a $15,865 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Schoolcraft College earned it the #5 place for personal & culinary services. Schoolcraft College is a large public school located in the city of Livonia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,799, compared with $6,501 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $15,750. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Schoolcraft College generally make around $27,248. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Macomb Community College came in at #6 for value in personal & culinary services this year. Macomb Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Warren. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $9,862. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Macomb Community College generally make around $20,701. Set against $9,862 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mott Community College landed the #7 spot for personal & culinary services value this year. Located in the city of Flint, Mott Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,845 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,460 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,250 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Mott Community College earn a median of $12,041 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,250 median debt.
Grand Rapids Community College earned the #8 position for value in personal & culinary services this year. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,179 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,219. Students borrow a median of $13,625 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Grand Rapids Community College earn a median of $26,052 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,625 median debt.
Kirtland Community College earned the #9 position for value in personal & culinary services this year. Located in the rural area of Grayling, Kirtland Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,190, with out-of-state students paying around $9,870. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $17,333. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Kirtland Community College earn a median of $50,469 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bayshire Academy Of Beauty Craft Inc earned the #10 position for value in personal & culinary services this year. Set in the city of Bay City, Bayshire Academy Of Beauty Craft Inc is a small private for-profit institution. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $10,412.
Wayne State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $23,648 in student loans. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $52,829. That is a strong return on a $23,648 median debt. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Michigan Career And Technical Institute ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. Set in the rural area of Plainwell, Michigan Career And Technical Institute is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,548, compared with $12,408 for out-of-state students. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Michigan Career And Technical Institute generally make around $15,195.
Paul Mitchell The School Great Lakes ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. Paul Mitchell The School Great Lakes is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Port Huron. Students borrow a median of $9,833 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $18,580. That is a strong return on a $9,833 median debt.
Baker College Of Flint placed #14 among the best values for personal & culinary services. Set in the town of Owosso, Baker College Of Flint is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $13,000 in tuition and fees. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Baker College Of Flint generally make around $25,204. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
French Academy Of Cosmetology placed #15 among the best values for personal & culinary services. Set in the suburb of Spring Lake, French Academy Of Cosmetology is a small private for-profit institution. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $11,713 in student loans. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $13,181. That is a strong return on a $11,713 median debt.
Protege Academy East Lansing earned the #16 position for value in personal & culinary services this year. Located in the suburb of East Lansing, Protege Academy East Lansing is a small private for-profit university. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $9,833 in student loans. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Protege Academy East Lansing generally make around $13,261. Set against $9,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Michigan College Of Beauty Monroe landed the #17 spot for personal & culinary services value this year. Located in the suburb of Monroe, Michigan College Of Beauty Monroe is a small private for-profit university. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $8,250. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Michigan College Of Beauty Monroe generally make around $14,062. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Protege Academy Mount Pleasant placed #18 among the best values for personal & culinary services. Located in the town of Mt. Pleasant, Protege Academy Mount Pleasant is a small private for-profit university. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $9,833. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Protege Academy Mount Pleasant earn a median of $13,261 early in their careers. Set against $9,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Michigan Barber School Inc landed the #19 spot for personal & culinary services value this year. Located in the city of Detroit, Michigan Barber School Inc is a small private not-for-profit university. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $6,422 in student loans. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $11,779. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Port Huron Cosmetology College came in at #20 for value in personal & culinary services this year. Set in the suburb of Waterford, Port Huron Cosmetology College is a small private for-profit institution. Median earnings reach $22,980 ten years out.
Panda Scholars Beauty School placed #21 among the best values for personal & culinary services. Panda Scholars Beauty School is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Detroit. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $10,085. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Panda Scholars Beauty School earn a median of $13,625 early in their careers. Set against $10,085 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Paul Mitchell The School Grand Rapids came in at #22 for value in personal & culinary services this year. Located in the city of Kentwood, Paul Mitchell The School Grand Rapids is a small private for-profit university. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $9,833 in student loans. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Paul Mitchell The School Grand Rapids generally make around $18,410.
Northern Michigan University came in at #23 for value in personal & culinary services this year. Set in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,322, with out-of-state students paying around $19,944. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $9,833 in student loans. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Northern Michigan University earn a median of $21,628 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Taylor Andrews Academy Of Hair Design Hair Lab Detroit Barber School earned the #24 position for value in personal & culinary services this year. Located in the suburb of Southgate, Taylor Andrews Academy Of Hair Design Hair Lab Detroit Barber School is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $10,556 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Taylor Andrews Academy Of Hair Design Hair Lab Detroit Barber School generally make around $20,460. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Elevate Salon Institute ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. Set in the suburb of Royal Oak, Elevate Salon Institute 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 Elevate Salon Institute generally make around $14,296. That is a strong return on a $9,833 median debt.
Rest of the Top 43 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 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 · 62 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
