2027 Best Value Personal & Culinary Services Schools in North Carolina
[Personal & Culinary Services](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong personal & culinary services education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 61 schools to find the best return on investment for personal & culinary services students.
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2027 Best Value Personal & Culinary Services Schools in North Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in personal & culinary services, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Personal & Culinary Services Schools
Wilkes Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools in North Carolina. Located in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public university. 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. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Wilkes Community College earn a median of $36,341 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cleveland Community College earned it the #2 place for personal & culinary services. Located in the town of Shelby, Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Cleveland Community College earn a median of $13,347 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Piedmont Community College earned it the #3 place for personal & culinary services. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,792, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Johnston Community College earned it the #4 place for personal & culinary services. Set in the town of Smithfield, Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,756, with out-of-state students paying around $8,900. Students borrow a median of $9,490 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $37,472. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Edgecombe Community College one of the best values for personal & culinary services. Located in the rural area of Tarboro, Edgecombe Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,640, while out-of-state students pay about $8,784. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $13,750. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Edgecombe Community College earn a median of $49,528 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt.
Pamlico Community College placed #6 among the best values for personal & culinary services. Located in the rural area of Grantsboro, Pamlico Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $3,712 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,928. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $30,005.
Robeson Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. Located in the town of Lumberton, Robeson Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,604, with out-of-state students paying around $8,748. Students borrow a median of $9,949 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $52,951. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Piedmont Community College placed #8 among the best values for personal & culinary services. Set in the rural area of Roxboro, Piedmont Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,556, with out-of-state students paying around $8,700. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $68,517. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
James Sprunt Community College landed the #9 spot for personal & culinary services value this year. Set in the rural area of Kenansville, James Sprunt Community College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,592, with out-of-state students paying around $8,736. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $11,278. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from James Sprunt Community College generally make around $35,264. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fayetteville Technical Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,628, compared with $8,772 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $6,987. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Fayetteville Technical Community College earn a median of $48,022 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Albemarle ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. College Of The Albemarle is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Elizabeth City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,242, compared with $7,652 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $10,240. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of College Of The Albemarle earn a median of $50,506 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sampson Community College earned the #12 position for value in personal & culinary services this year. Set in the town of Clinton, Sampson Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,877, while out-of-state students pay about $9,789. Students borrow a median of $12,596 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $45,929. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sandhills Community College placed #13 among the best values for personal & culinary services. Set in the rural area of Pinehurst, Sandhills Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,040 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,648. Students borrow a median of $9,238 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $46,492. Set against $9,238 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Martin Community College landed the #14 spot for personal & culinary services value this year. Located in the town of Williamston, Martin Community College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,523, with out-of-state students paying around $8,667. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $42,820.
Craven Community College landed the #15 spot for personal & culinary services value this year. Craven Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of New Bern. In-state tuition and fees average $2,022, compared with $6,630 for out-of-state students. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $8,924 in student loans. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $7,388. Set against $8,924 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Carolina Community College came in at #16 for value in personal & culinary services this year. Located in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,711, while out-of-state students pay about $8,855. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $12,167 in student loans. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Central Carolina Community College earn a median of $24,101 early in their careers. Set against $12,167 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Vance Granville Community College came in at #17 for value in personal & culinary services this year. Vance Granville Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Henderson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,944, compared with $6,552 for out-of-state students. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $14,833 in student loans. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Vance Granville Community College generally make around $43,272. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Surry Community College earned the #18 position for value in personal & culinary services this year. Located in the rural area of Dobson, Surry Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,668, while out-of-state students pay about $8,812. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $9,537. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Surry Community College generally make around $47,188. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Stanly Community College landed the #19 spot for personal & culinary services value this year. Set in the town of Albemarle, Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,672, while out-of-state students pay about $8,816. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Stanly Community College generally make around $41,920.
Mitchell Community College landed the #20 spot for personal & culinary services value this year. Mitchell Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Statesville. In-state tuition and fees average $2,651, while out-of-state students pay about $8,795. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $6,313. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Mitchell Community College generally make around $40,450. That is a strong return on a $6,313 median debt.
Southwestern Community College Sylva ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. Southwestern Community College Sylva is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Sylva. Students from in state pay about $4,112 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,184 for out-of-state students. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $13,708 in student loans. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $14,354. Set against $13,708 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock placed #22 among the best values for personal & culinary services. Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Flat Rock. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,660, while out-of-state students pay about $8,804. Students borrow a median of $16,252 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock earn a median of $42,443 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,252 median debt.
Gaston College placed #23 among the best values for personal & culinary services. Gaston College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Dallas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,186, compared with $9,330 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,915 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Gaston College earn a median of $27,008 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,915 median debt.
Alamance Community College came in at #24 for value in personal & culinary services this year. Located in the suburb of Graham, Alamance Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,592, with out-of-state students paying around $8,736. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $6,625. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Alamance Community College earn a median of $37,585 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,625 median debt.
Western Piedmont Community College landed the #25 spot for personal & culinary services value this year. Set in the city of Morganton, Western Piedmont Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,650, with out-of-state students paying around $8,794. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $11,999. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Western Piedmont Community College earn a median of $46,883 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 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
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 · 61 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 61 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.
