2027 Best Value Personal & Culinary Services Schools in Wisconsin
[Personal & Culinary Services](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 28 schools to find the best return on investment for personal & culinary services students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Personal & Culinary Services Schools in Wisconsin
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
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College tops our 2027 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools in Wisconsin. Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Rice Lake. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,926, with out-of-state students paying around $7,169. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College earn a median of $18,294 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Milwaukee Area Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in personal & culinary services, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,184, compared with $7,427 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $14,943. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Milwaukee Area Technical College generally make around $23,954. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moraine Park Technical College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. Moraine Park Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fond du Lac. In-state tuition and fees average $4,819, with out-of-state students paying around $7,084. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $11,471. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Moraine Park Technical College earn a median of $39,552 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,471 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Nicolet Area Technical College one of the best values for personal & culinary services. Nicolet Area Technical College is a small public school located in the rural area of Rhinelander. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,793, while out-of-state students pay about $7,066. Students borrow a median of $11,400 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Nicolet Area Technical College earn a median of $46,419 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Lakeshore Technical College one of the best values for personal & culinary services. Set in the rural area of Cleveland, Lakeshore Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,844 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,087 for out-of-state students. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $11,582 in student loans. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $41,252. Set against $11,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northcentral Technical College placed #6 among the best values for personal & culinary services. Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wausau. Students from in state pay about $4,889 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,132. Students borrow a median of $11,709 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Northcentral Technical College earn a median of $41,696 early in their careers. Set against $11,709 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mid State Technical College came in at #7 for value in personal & culinary services this year. Mid State Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Wisconsin Rapids. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,002, while out-of-state students pay about $7,171. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $6,081. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Mid State Technical College generally make around $17,385. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Waukesha County Technical College landed the #8 spot for personal & culinary services value this year. Waukesha County Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Pewaukee. In-state tuition and fees average $4,803, while out-of-state students pay about $7,046. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $9,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Waukesha County Technical College generally make around $27,049. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fox Valley Technical College landed the #9 spot for personal & culinary services value this year. Fox Valley Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Appleton. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $7,283. Students borrow a median of $14,234 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $34,736. That is a strong return on a $14,234 median debt.
Chippewa Valley Technical College placed #10 among the best values for personal & culinary services. Located in the city of Eau Claire, Chippewa Valley Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,844, with out-of-state students paying around $7,087. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $9,395 in student loans. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $23,405. That is a strong return on a $9,395 median debt.
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College came in at #11 for value in personal & culinary services this year. Set in the rural area of Fennimore, Southwest Wisconsin Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,904, while out-of-state students pay about $7,147. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $12,112. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Southwest Wisconsin Technical College earn a median of $42,087 early in their careers. Set against $12,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Vici Beauty School landed the #12 spot for personal & culinary services value this year. Located in the suburb of Greenfield, Vici Beauty School is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $9,290 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Vici Beauty School generally make around $21,773. Set against $9,290 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gateway Technical College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. Gateway Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Kenosha. In-state tuition and fees average $4,956, with out-of-state students paying around $7,199. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $7,958. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Gateway Technical College earn a median of $42,410 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Madison Area Technical College earned the #14 position for value in personal & culinary services this year. Set in the city of Madison, Madison Area Technical College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,977, while out-of-state students pay about $7,141. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $8,875 in student loans. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $22,152. Set against $8,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Aveda Institute Madison landed the #15 spot for personal & culinary services value this year. Set in the city of Madison, Aveda Institute Madison is a small private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $10,555. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Aveda Institute Madison earn a median of $25,029 early in their careers. Set against $10,555 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The Institute Of Beauty And Wellness placed #16 among the best values for personal & culinary services. Set in the city of Milwaukee, The Institute Of Beauty And Wellness is a small private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $10,555. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of The Institute Of Beauty And Wellness earn a median of $25,029 early in their careers. Set against $10,555 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Advanced College Of Cosmetology placed #17 among the best values for personal & culinary services. Advanced College Of Cosmetology is a small private for-profit school located in the town of Waupun. Students borrow a median of $11,420 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Advanced College Of Cosmetology generally make around $21,100.
Tricoci University Of Beauty Culture Janesville landed the #18 spot for personal & culinary services value this year. Set in the city of Janesville, Tricoci University Of Beauty Culture Janesville is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $13,478 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Tricoci University Of Beauty Culture Janesville earn a median of $20,302 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Empire Beauty School Milwaukee earned the #19 position for value in personal & culinary services this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Empire Beauty School Milwaukee is a small private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $13,849. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $18,639. That is a strong return on a $13,849 median debt.
State College Of Beauty Culture Inc earned the #20 position for value in personal & culinary services this year. Located in the city of Wausau, State College Of Beauty Culture Inc is a small private for-profit university. Median earnings reach $28,037 ten years out.
Empire Beauty School Green Bay landed the #21 spot for personal & culinary services value this year. Set in the suburb of Ashwaubenon, Empire Beauty School Green Bay is a small private for-profit institution. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $13,849 in student loans. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $18,639. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
First Class Cosmetology School earned the #22 position for value in personal & culinary services this year. Set in the city of Beloit, First Class Cosmetology School is a small private for-profit institution. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $8,790 in student loans. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $23,235. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The Salon Professional Academy Onalaska came in at #23 for value in personal & culinary services this year. Located in the city of Onalaska, The Salon Professional Academy Onalaska is a small private for-profit university. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from The Salon Professional Academy Onalaska generally make around $25,017. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Paul Mitchell The School Milwaukee placed #24 among the best values for personal & culinary services. Located in the suburb of Wauwatosa, Paul Mitchell The School Milwaukee is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $10,667 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Paul Mitchell The School Milwaukee generally make around $19,570. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The Salon Professional Academy Appleton ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. The Salon Professional Academy Appleton is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Appleton. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $11,679 in student loans. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of The Salon Professional Academy Appleton earn a median of $18,603 early in their careers. Set against $11,679 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 28 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), 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 · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 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.
