[Personal & Culinary Services](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 464 schools to find the best return on investment for personal & culinary services students.
Our analysis ranked South Georgia Technical College the best value for a degree in personal & culinary services in the Southeast Region. South Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Americus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,992, compared with $7,202 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $10,423. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of South Georgia Technical College earn a median of $20,501 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Trident Technical College earned it the #2 place for personal & culinary services. Located in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,546, with out-of-state students paying around $8,620. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Trident Technical College generally make around $50,166. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in personal & culinary services, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Valdosta, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,480, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Wilkes Community College one of the best values for personal & culinary services. Set in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,572, compared with $8,716 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $9,125. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $36,341. Set against $9,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Pensacola State College one of the best values for personal & culinary services. Located in the city of Pensacola, Pensacola State College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,361, while out-of-state students pay about $9,463. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $5,500. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $23,911. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indian River State College placed #6 among the best values for personal & culinary services. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $10,201. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $9,540 in student loans. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Indian River State College generally make around $18,411. That is a strong return on a $9,540 median debt.
Central Piedmont Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Students borrow a median of $11,861 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $27,127. Set against $11,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Regional Technical College came in at #8 for value in personal & culinary services this year. Located in the town of Thomasville, Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,007 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,575. Students borrow a median of $9,086 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Southern Regional Technical College generally make around $15,168. Set against $9,086 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida State College At Jacksonville earned the #9 position for value in personal & culinary services this year. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Students from in state pay about $2,657 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,631. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $13,577. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $29,668. That is a strong return on a $13,577 median debt.
George C Wallace State Community College Dothan placed #10 among the best values for personal & culinary services. Located in the city of Dothan, George C Wallace State Community College Dothan is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,980, while out-of-state students pay about $8,850. Students borrow a median of $9,942 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from George C Wallace State Community College Dothan generally make around $19,828. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chattahoochee Technical College earned the #11 position for value in personal & culinary services this year. Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Marietta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,540, with out-of-state students paying around $6,108. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Chattahoochee Technical College generally make around $16,767. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Miami Dade College came in at #12 for value in personal & culinary services this year. Set in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,838, while out-of-state students pay about $9,661. Students borrow a median of $10,882 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Miami Dade College generally make around $31,101. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Coastal Pines Technical College earned the #13 position for value in personal & culinary services this year. Coastal Pines Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Waycross. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,268, compared with $5,836 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,812 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $39,090. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hillsborough Community College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. Set in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,491, with out-of-state students paying around $9,088. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $19,657. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Hillsborough Community College earn a median of $29,451 early in their careers. Set against $19,657 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cleveland Community College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. Set in the town of Shelby, Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,602 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,746 for out-of-state students. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $7,131 in student loans. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $13,347. That is a strong return on a $7,131 median debt.
Gadsden State Community College placed #16 among the best values for personal & culinary services. Located in the city of Gadsden, Gadsden State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,272, while out-of-state students pay about $7,368. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $9,312 in student loans. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Gadsden State Community College generally make around $19,107. Set against $9,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Spartanburg Community College came in at #17 for value in personal & culinary services this year. Set in the suburb of Spartanburg, Spartanburg Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,071 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,135. Students borrow a median of $10,148 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Spartanburg Community College generally make around $41,598. That is a strong return on a $10,148 median debt.
West Georgia Technical College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. Located in the rural area of Waco, West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,978. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $8,500 in student loans. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $11,925. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Coahoma Community College placed #19 among the best values for personal & culinary services. Located in the rural area of Clarksdale, Coahoma Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,490 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $11,745 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Coahoma Community College generally make around $13,154. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Atlanta Technical College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. Located in the city of Atlanta, Atlanta Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,382, while out-of-state students pay about $5,950. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $16,324. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Atlanta Technical College generally make around $17,157. Set against $16,324 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fayetteville Technical Community College came in at #21 for value in personal & culinary services this year. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,628, while out-of-state students pay about $8,772. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $6,987 in student loans. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Fayetteville Technical Community College earn a median of $48,022 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,987 median debt.
West Virginia University At Parkersburg landed the #22 spot for personal & culinary services value this year. Set in the rural area of Parkersburg, West Virginia University At Parkersburg is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,476, while out-of-state students pay about $9,424. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $15,595. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $45,400. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeast Alabama Community College came in at #23 for value in personal & culinary services this year. Located in the rural area of Rainsville, Northeast Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $8,910. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $7,459 in student loans. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $35,119. That is a strong return on a $7,459 median debt.
Chipola College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. Chipola College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Marianna. In-state tuition and fees average $3,120, with out-of-state students paying around $8,950. Students borrow a median of $9,097 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Chipola College generally make around $43,599. That is a strong return on a $9,097 median debt.
Columbus Technical College came in at #25 for value in personal & culinary services this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,052, compared with $7,262 for out-of-state students. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $15,845 in student loans. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $19,094. That is a strong return on a $15,845 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Personal & Culinary Services Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s personal & culinary services value ranking:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 464 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 464 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).
[Personal & Culinary Services](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
