2026 Best Value Personal & Culinary Services Schools in the Southeast Region
[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.
College Factual analyzed 595 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value personal & culinary services schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Personal & Culinary Services Schools in the Southeast 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
Leading the list is South Georgia Technical College, our #1 best value for personal & culinary services in the Southeast Region. South Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Americus. Students from in state pay about $3,992 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,202. Students borrow a median of $10,423 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from South Georgia Technical College generally make around $20,501. That is a strong return on a $10,423 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in personal & culinary services will find it at Pensacola State College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Pensacola, Pensacola State College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,361, compared with $9,463 for out-of-state students. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Pensacola State College earn a median of $23,911 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Wilkes Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in personal & culinary services, landing the #3 spot this year. Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wilkesboro. Students from in state pay about $2,572 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,716. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $9,125 in student loans. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $36,341. That is a strong return on a $9,125 median debt.
Florida State College At Jacksonville is a great value for students pursuing a degree in personal & culinary services, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,657, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $13,577. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $29,668. That is a strong return on a $13,577 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College earned it the #5 place for personal & culinary services. Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Valdosta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,480, while out-of-state students pay about $6,048. Students borrow a median of $10,864 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Wiregrass Georgia Technical College earn a median of $19,659 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,864 median debt.
Southern Regional Technical College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. Set in the town of Thomasville, Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,007, with out-of-state students paying around $5,575. Students borrow a median of $9,086 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $15,168. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Carolina Community College earned the #7 position for value in personal & culinary services this year. Located in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,711, with out-of-state students paying around $8,855. Students borrow a median of $12,167 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Central Carolina Community College earn a median of $24,101 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College placed #8 among the best values for personal & culinary services. Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rome. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,300, while out-of-state students pay about $5,868. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $8,492. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $41,229. Set against $8,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Trident Technical College earned the #9 position for value in personal & culinary services this year. Set in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,546, while out-of-state students pay about $8,620. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Trident Technical College earn a median of $50,166 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt.
Central Piedmont Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. In-state tuition and fees average $2,792, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $11,861. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $27,127. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fayetteville Technical Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,628, while out-of-state students pay about $8,772. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $6,987. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $48,022. That is a strong return on a $6,987 median debt.
Southern Crescent Technical College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. Southern Crescent Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Griffin. Students from in state pay about $3,516 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,084 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $17,619. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Southern Crescent Technical College earn a median of $45,062 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,619 median debt.
Durham Technical Community College earned the #13 position for value in personal & culinary services this year. Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Durham. Students from in state pay about $2,240 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,531 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,408 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $46,293. That is a strong return on a $20,408 median debt.
Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins placed #14 among the best values for personal & culinary services. Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins is a large public school located in the city of Warner Robins. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,448, with out-of-state students paying around $6,016. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $7,217 in student loans. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $39,765. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Georgia Technical College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Waco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,410, compared with $5,978 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $8,500. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of West Georgia Technical College earn a median of $11,925 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,500 median debt.
Florida Gateway College earned the #16 position for value in personal & culinary services this year. Set in the town of Lake City, Florida Gateway College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,100, with out-of-state students paying around $11,747. Students borrow a median of $6,400 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Florida Gateway College earn a median of $16,195 early in their careers. Set against $6,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cleveland Community College earned the #17 position for value in personal & culinary services this year. Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Shelby. In-state tuition and fees average $2,602, while out-of-state students pay about $8,746. Students borrow a median of $7,131 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $13,347. That is a strong return on a $7,131 median debt.
Gulf Coast State College earned the #18 position for value in personal & culinary services this year. Set in the city of Panama City, Gulf Coast State College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,370, compared with $8,635 for out-of-state students. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $8,286 in student loans. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $49,086. Set against $8,286 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Coastal Pines Technical College came in at #19 for value in personal & culinary services this year. Set in the town of Waycross, Coastal Pines Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,268, compared with $5,836 for out-of-state students. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $5,812 in student loans. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Coastal Pines Technical College generally make around $39,090. Set against $5,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oconee Fall Line Technical College came in at #20 for value in personal & culinary services this year. Oconee Fall Line Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Sandersville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,380, compared with $5,948 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,718 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Oconee Fall Line Technical College earn a median of $47,076 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gadsden State Community College placed #21 among the best values for personal & culinary services. Set in the city of Gadsden, Gadsden State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,272, while out-of-state students pay about $7,368. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $9,312. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Gadsden State Community College earn a median of $19,107 early in their careers. Set against $9,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
George C Wallace State Community College Dothan earned the #22 position for value in personal & culinary services this year. Located in the city of Dothan, George C Wallace State Community College Dothan is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,980 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,850. Students borrow a median of $9,942 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of George C Wallace State Community College Dothan earn a median of $19,828 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ogeechee Technical College landed the #23 spot for personal & culinary services value this year. Set in the town of Statesboro, Ogeechee Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,388 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,956. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $11,894. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $17,660. That is a strong return on a $11,894 median debt.
Northeast Alabama Community College placed #24 among the best values for personal & culinary services. Northeast Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Rainsville. Students from in state pay about $5,040 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,910 for out-of-state students. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $7,459 in student loans. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Northeast Alabama Community College generally make around $35,119. That is a strong return on a $7,459 median debt.
Indian River State College landed the #25 spot for personal & culinary services value this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,764, compared with $10,201 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,540 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Indian River State College generally make around $18,411. Set against $9,540 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:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 595 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 36 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.
