2027 Best Value Personal & Culinary Services Schools in Arkansas
[Personal & Culinary Services](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 29 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 Arkansas
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in personal & culinary services, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Personal & Culinary Services Schools
Leading the list is Northwest Arkansas Community College, our #1 best value for personal & culinary services in Arkansas. Set in the city of Bentonville, Northwest Arkansas Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,342, compared with $5,238 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $26,011. Set against $12,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in personal & culinary services will find it at Rich Mountain Community College, which ranked #2. Rich Mountain Community College is a small public school located in the town of Mena. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,696, while out-of-state students pay about $4,272. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Rich Mountain Community College earn a median of $9,998 early in their careers.
A rank of #3 makes Ozarka College one of the best values for personal & culinary services. Located in the rural area of Melbourne, Ozarka College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,820, compared with $6,820 for out-of-state students. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $11,778 in student loans. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Ozarka College earn a median of $48,116 early in their careers. Set against $11,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas earned it the #4 place for personal & culinary services. Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas is a small public school located in the town of De Queen. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,320, with out-of-state students paying around $5,190. Students borrow a median of $7,018 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $35,035. That is a strong return on a $7,018 median debt.
Arkansas State University Newport is a great value for students pursuing a degree in personal & culinary services, landing the #5 spot this year. Arkansas State University Newport is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Newport. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,312, compared with $4,752 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,250 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $15,140. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
East Arkansas Community College placed #6 among the best values for personal & culinary services. Set in the town of Forrest City, East Arkansas Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,300, with out-of-state students paying around $4,380. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $8,110 in student loans. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from East Arkansas Community College generally make around $42,134. Set against $8,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville is a small public school located in the town of Batesville. In-state tuition and fees average $3,630, compared with $4,662 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $9,265. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville generally make around $64,187. That is a strong return on a $9,265 median debt.
Southern Arkansas University Tech earned the #8 position for value in personal & culinary services this year. Set in the rural area of Camden, Southern Arkansas University Tech is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, compared with $6,480 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,488 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Southern Arkansas University Tech earn a median of $34,302 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Arkansas Community College Hope landed the #9 spot for personal & culinary services value this year. Located in the town of Hope, University Of Arkansas Community College Hope is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $3,885 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,565. Graduates go on to earn a median of $34,162 ten years after entry.
Arkansas Tech University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. Set in the town of Russellville, Arkansas Tech University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,674, compared with $14,668 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $23,257. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $45,115. That is a strong return on a $23,257 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The Salon Professional Academy North Little Rock ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. The Salon Professional Academy North Little Rock is a small private for-profit school located in the rural area of Sherwood. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $9,833 in student loans. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of The Salon Professional Academy North Little Rock earn a median of $18,091 early in their careers.
Pulaski Technical College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. Pulaski Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of North Little Rock. In-state tuition and fees average $6,300, compared with $9,450 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,250 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $25,597. That is a strong return on a $19,250 median debt.
Career Academy Of Hair Design earned the #13 position for value in personal & culinary services this year. Career Academy Of Hair Design is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Springdale. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $9,855 in student loans. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Career Academy Of Hair Design earn a median of $16,574 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,855 median debt.
Arkansas Beauty College earned the #14 position for value in personal & culinary services this year. Set in the town of Russellville, Arkansas Beauty College is a small private for-profit institution. Median earnings reach $16,857 ten years out.
Professional Cosmetology Education Center came in at #15 for value in personal & culinary services this year. Set in the town of El Dorado, Professional Cosmetology Education Center is a small private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $10,912. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $11,050. That is a strong return on a $10,912 median debt.
Paul Mitchell The School Arkansas earned the #16 position for value in personal & culinary services this year. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Paul Mitchell The School Arkansas is a small private for-profit university. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $12,500. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Paul Mitchell The School Arkansas generally make around $14,040. That is a strong return on a $12,500 median debt.
Academy Of Salon And Spa earned the #17 position for value in personal & culinary services this year. Academy Of Salon And Spa is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Fort Smith. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $7,900. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Academy Of Salon And Spa earn a median of $19,443 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,900 median debt.
Hot Springs Beauty College placed #18 among the best values for personal & culinary services. Set in the city of Hot Springs, Hot Springs Beauty College is a small private for-profit institution. Graduates go on to earn a median of $21,563 ten years after entry.
Arthurs Beauty School Inc Conway earned the #19 position for value in personal & culinary services this year. Arthurs Beauty School Inc Conway is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Conway. Students borrow a median of $9,833 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Arthurs Beauty School Inc Conway generally make around $14,388. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Searcy Beauty College placed #20 among the best values for personal & culinary services. Searcy Beauty College is a small private for-profit school located in the town of Searcy. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $15,473. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Searcy Beauty College earn a median of $13,984 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Arthurs Beauty College Inc Jacksonville came in at #21 for value in personal & culinary services this year. Arthurs Beauty College Inc Jacksonville is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Jacksonville. Students borrow a median of $9,833 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Arthurs Beauty College Inc Jacksonville generally make around $14,388. That is a strong return on a $9,833 median debt.
Washington Barber College Inc landed the #22 spot for personal & culinary services value this year. Located in the city of Little Rock, Washington Barber College Inc is a small private for-profit university. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $14,763. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Washington Barber College Inc earn a median of $12,496 early in their careers. Set against $14,763 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New Tyler Barber College Inc placed #23 among the best values for personal & culinary services. New Tyler Barber College Inc is a small private for-profit school located in the city of North Little Rock. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $11,000. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of New Tyler Barber College Inc earn a median of $14,513 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Designer Barber And Stylist School Fort Smith placed #24 among the best values for personal & culinary services. Located in the city of Fort Smith, Designer Barber And Stylist School Fort Smith is a small private for-profit university. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Designer Barber And Stylist School Fort Smith earn a median of $17,460 early in their careers.
Imagine Paul Mitchell Partner School ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. Located in the city of North Little Rock, Imagine Paul Mitchell Partner School is a small private for-profit university. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $15,471 in student loans. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Imagine Paul Mitchell Partner School generally make around $14,898. That is a strong return on a $15,471 median debt.
Rest of the Top 29 Best Value Personal & Culinary Services Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for personal & culinary services this year:
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. 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 · 29 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 29 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.
