2026 Best Value Personal & Culinary Services Schools in Tennessee
[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 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 57 schools to find the best return on investment for personal & culinary services students.
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2026 Best Value Personal & Culinary Services Schools in Tennessee
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in personal & culinary services, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Personal & Culinary Services Schools
Walters State Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools in Tennessee. Walters State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Morristown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,752, compared with $17,736 for out-of-state students. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $10,210 in student loans. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $35,866. That is a strong return on a $10,210 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pellissippi State Community College earned it the #2 place for personal & culinary services. Located in the suburb of Knoxville, Pellissippi State Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,786, with out-of-state students paying around $17,770. Students borrow a median of $8,951 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $43,816. Set against $8,951 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Nashville State Community College one of the best values for personal & culinary services. Set in the city of Nashville, Nashville State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,730, with out-of-state students paying around $17,714. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $16,745 in student loans. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Nashville State Community College generally make around $41,456. Set against $16,745 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwest Tennessee Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in personal & culinary services, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Memphis, Southwest Tennessee Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,766, compared with $17,750 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $11,406. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $43,592. Set against $11,406 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Murfreesboro one of the best values for personal & culinary services. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Murfreesboro is a small public university. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $10,723. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $22,176. That is a strong return on a $10,723 median debt.
Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Nashville came in at #6 for value in personal & culinary services this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Nashville is a small public university. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $9,300. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Nashville generally make around $20,870. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Mcminnville landed the #7 spot for personal & culinary services value this year. Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Mcminnville is a small public school located in the town of McMinnville. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Mcminnville earn a median of $40,469 early in their careers.
Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Dickson earned the #8 position for value in personal & culinary services this year. Set in the rural area of Dickson, Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Dickson is a small public institution. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $18,956. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Paris placed #9 among the best values for personal & culinary services. Set in the town of Paris, Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Paris is a small public institution. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Paris generally make around $14,797. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Memphis earned the #10 position for value in personal & culinary services this year. Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Memphis is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Memphis. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $12,073. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Memphis earn a median of $18,312 early in their careers. Set against $12,073 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Knoxville earned the #11 position for value in personal & culinary services this year. Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Knoxville is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Knoxville. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $10,639 in student loans. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Knoxville generally make around $17,458. Set against $10,639 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Morristown earned the #12 position for value in personal & culinary services this year. Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Morristown is a small public school located in the city of Morristown. Students borrow a median of $8,000 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Morristown generally make around $16,068. Set against $8,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Jacksboro landed the #13 spot for personal & culinary services value this year. Set in the town of Jacksboro, Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Jacksboro is a small public institution. Students borrow a median of $7,439 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Jacksboro earn a median of $15,454 early in their careers. Set against $7,439 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Goulds Academy ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. Set in the city of Memphis, Goulds Academy is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $10,149 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Goulds Academy earn a median of $20,194 early in their careers.
Tennessee School Of Beauty Of Knoxville Inc earned the #15 position for value in personal & culinary services this year. Located in the city of Knoxville, Tennessee School Of Beauty Of Knoxville Inc is a small private for-profit university. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Tennessee School Of Beauty Of Knoxville Inc earn a median of $17,506 early in their careers.
Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Harriman ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. Located in the rural area of Harriman, Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Harriman is a small public university. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $10,601 in student loans. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $19,479. That is a strong return on a $10,601 median debt.
Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Hohenwald earned the #17 position for value in personal & culinary services this year. Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Hohenwald is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Hohenwald. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Hohenwald earn a median of $17,987 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
Love Beauty School Inc came in at #18 for value in personal & culinary services this year. Set in the town of Manchester, Love Beauty School Inc is a small private for-profit institution. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $11,442. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Elizabethton ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. Located in the suburb of Elizabethton, Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Elizabethton is a small public university. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $9,281. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $29,309. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Arnolds Beauty School placed #20 among the best values for personal & culinary services. Located in the town of Milan, Arnolds Beauty School is a small private for-profit university. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $11,000. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Arnolds Beauty School earn a median of $14,553 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Newbern ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. Set in the rural area of Newbern, Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Newbern is a mid-sized public institution. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $12,140. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The Salon Professional Academy Nashville earned the #22 position for value in personal & culinary services this year. The Salon Professional Academy Nashville is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $9,833. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of The Salon Professional Academy Nashville earn a median of $25,878 early in their careers.
Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Crossville ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. Set in the town of Crossville, Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Crossville is a small public institution. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $6,398 in student loans. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $30,984. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Jenny Lea Academy Of Cosmetology Johnson City ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. Set in the city of Johnson City, Jenny Lea Academy Of Cosmetology Johnson City is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $9,833 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Jenny Lea Academy Of Cosmetology Johnson City generally make around $14,598. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Elite College Of Cosmetology earned the #25 position for value in personal & culinary services this year. Set in the town of Lexington, Elite College Of Cosmetology is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Elite College Of Cosmetology earn a median of $13,568 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 48 Best Value Personal & Culinary Services Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s personal & culinary services value ranking:
More Personal & Culinary Services Rankings
View All Personal & Culinary Services Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 57 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
