2027 Best Value Personal & Culinary Services Schools in Alabama
[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 27 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 Alabama
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in personal & culinary services, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Personal & Culinary Services Schools
For return on investment in personal & culinary services, no school beat George C Wallace State Community College Dothan this year. 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. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $9,942 in student loans. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from George C Wallace State Community College Dothan generally make around $19,828. That is a strong return on a $9,942 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Northeast Alabama Community College one of the best values for personal & culinary services. 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, compared with $8,910 for out-of-state students. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $7,459 in student loans. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Northeast Alabama Community College earn a median of $35,119 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gadsden State Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in personal & culinary services, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Gadsden, Gadsden State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,272, with out-of-state students paying around $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. That is a strong return on a $9,312 median debt.
Lurleen B Wallace Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in personal & culinary services, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Andalusia, Lurleen B Wallace Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,190 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,060. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Lurleen B Wallace Community College earn a median of $20,912 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,500 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Reid State Technical College earned it the #5 place for personal & culinary services. Set in the rural area of Evergreen, Reid State Technical College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,454, with out-of-state students paying around $9,324. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $17,319 in student loans. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Reid State Technical College earn a median of $36,105 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwest Shoals Community College landed the #6 spot for personal & culinary services value this year. Set in the city of Muscle Shoals, Northwest Shoals Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,131, with out-of-state students paying around $9,001. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $13,312 in student loans. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Northwest Shoals Community College generally make around $33,842. That is a strong return on a $13,312 median debt.
Bevill State Community College placed #7 among the best values for personal & culinary services. Bevill State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Jasper. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,734, with out-of-state students paying around $8,346. Students borrow a median of $11,040 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Bevill State Community College earn a median of $19,013 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bishop State Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. Set in the city of Mobile, Bishop State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,340, compared with $9,210 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,712 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $35,475. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Union State Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. Located in the rural area of Wadley, Southern Union State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,030, while out-of-state students pay about $8,874. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $11,555. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $44,385. That is a strong return on a $11,555 median debt.
J F Drake State Community And Technical College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. Set in the city of Huntsville, J F Drake State Community And Technical College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,190 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,060. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $28,281.
Jefferson State Community College came in at #11 for value in personal & culinary services this year. Located in the city of Birmingham, Jefferson State Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,100, with out-of-state students paying around $8,970. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $15,083 in student loans. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $49,566. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus landed the #12 spot for personal & culinary services value this year. Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Birmingham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $8,910. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $11,769. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $40,090. Set against $11,769 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
H Councill Trenholm State Technical College came in at #13 for value in personal & culinary services this year. H Councill Trenholm State Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Montgomery. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,190, compared with $9,060 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $32,183 ten years out.
George C Wallace State Community College Selma ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. Set in the town of Selma, George C Wallace State Community College Selma is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,740, with out-of-state students paying around $8,610. Students borrow a median of $15,250 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from George C Wallace State Community College Selma generally make around $39,534. Set against $15,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville landed the #15 spot for personal & culinary services value this year. Located in the rural area of Hanceville, George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,220, while out-of-state students pay about $9,090. Students borrow a median of $13,146 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville generally make around $40,017. Set against $13,146 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
James H Faulkner State Community College placed #16 among the best values for personal & culinary services. James H Faulkner State Community College is a large public school located in the town of Bay Minette. Students from in state pay about $5,040 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,910. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $14,326 in student loans. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $52,231. That is a strong return on a $14,326 median debt.
Shelton State Community College landed the #17 spot for personal & culinary services value this year. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, Shelton State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,127 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,997. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $10,688 in student loans. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Shelton State Community College earn a median of $49,403 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,688 median debt.
University Academy Of Hair Design landed the #18 spot for personal & culinary services value this year. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, University Academy Of Hair Design is a small private for-profit university. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $9,833.
Blue Cliff Career College placed #19 among the best values for personal & culinary services. Located in the city of Mobile, Blue Cliff Career College is a small private for-profit university. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $9,833 in student loans. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $20,014. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Alabama Community College came in at #20 for value in personal & culinary services this year. Set in the town of Alexander City, Central Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,110, with out-of-state students paying around $8,980. Students borrow a median of $12,939 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Central Alabama Community College earn a median of $42,166 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Winonahs International School Of Cosmetology came in at #21 for value in personal & culinary services this year. Set in the suburb of Hoover, Winonahs International School Of Cosmetology is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $7,783 to complete the personal & culinary services program here.
New Beginning College Of Cosmetology landed the #22 spot for personal & culinary services value this year. New Beginning College Of Cosmetology is a small private for-profit school located in the town of Albertville.
The Salon Professional Academy Huntsville landed the #23 spot for personal & culinary services value this year. Set in the city of Huntsville, The Salon Professional Academy Huntsville is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $10,951 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $15,804.
Paul Mitchell The School Birmingham placed #24 among the best values for personal & culinary services. Set in the suburb of Hoover, Paul Mitchell The School Birmingham is a small private for-profit institution. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $13,831 in student loans. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Paul Mitchell The School Birmingham earn a median of $15,782 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,831 median debt.
Alabama School Of Nail Technology And Cosmetology placed #25 among the best values for personal & culinary services. Located in the rural area of Jackson, Alabama School Of Nail Technology And Cosmetology is a small private for-profit university. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $16,500. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $16,328.
Rest of the Top 27 Best Value Personal & Culinary Services Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in personal & culinary services:
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 · 27 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 27 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.
