2027 Best Value Personal & Culinary Services Schools in the The Plains States Region
[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 101 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 the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in personal & culinary services, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Personal & Culinary Services Schools
Metropolitan Community College Area earned the #1 spot for value among personal & culinary services schools in the The Plains States Region. Set in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,375 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,950. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $12,799 in student loans. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Metropolitan Community College Area earn a median of $45,583 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in personal & culinary services will find it at Central Community College, which ranked #2. Central Community College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Island. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,360, compared with $4,800 for out-of-state students. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $10,277 in student loans. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Central Community College earn a median of $43,218 early in their careers. Set against $10,277 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Charles Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in personal & culinary services, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Cottleville, St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,810 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $12,606. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from St Charles Community College generally make around $47,228. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hutchinson Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in personal & culinary services, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Hutchinson, Hutchinson Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,540 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,770 for out-of-state students. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $18,148 in student loans. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $17,437. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Fort Scott Community College earned it the #5 place for personal & culinary services. Fort Scott Community College is a small public school located in the town of Fort Scott. In-state tuition and fees average $3,390, while out-of-state students pay about $3,840. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $20,691. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Dodge City Community College earned the #6 position for value in personal & culinary services this year. Set in the town of Dodge City, Dodge City Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,650, while out-of-state students pay about $5,850. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $45,427.
Garden City Community College came in at #7 for value in personal & culinary services this year. Set in the town of Garden City, Garden City Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,690, while out-of-state students pay about $4,320. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $18,724. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Seward County Community College And Area Technical School ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. Located in the town of Liberal, Seward County Community College And Area Technical School is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,032, compared with $5,408 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,175 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $53,375. Set against $9,175 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Washburn Institute Of Technology ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. Washburn Institute Of Technology is a small public school located in the city of Topeka. In-state tuition and fees average $8,880. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $22,547. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ozarks Technical Community College placed #10 among the best values for personal & culinary services. Located in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,256 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,040 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,501 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $25,879. That is a strong return on a $10,501 median debt.
Saint Louis Community College landed the #11 spot for personal & culinary services value this year. Located in the suburb of Bridgeton, Saint Louis Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, compared with $6,990 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,424 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $26,636. Set against $11,424 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Riverland Community College earned the #12 position for value in personal & culinary services this year. Set in the town of Austin, Riverland Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,297. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $15,732. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $49,194. Set against $15,732 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeast Community College Area landed the #13 spot for personal & culinary services value this year. Set in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,444, with out-of-state students paying around $4,032. Students borrow a median of $19,146 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $31,590. Set against $19,146 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Iowa Tech Community College earned the #14 position for value in personal & culinary services this year. Located in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,186, while out-of-state students pay about $5,330. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $12,530 in student loans. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Western Iowa Tech Community College generally make around $24,061. That is a strong return on a $12,530 median debt.
Kirkwood Community College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,176 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,220. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $15,375. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Kirkwood Community College earn a median of $21,391 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,375 median debt.
Independence Community College landed the #16 spot for personal & culinary services value this year. Located in the rural area of Independence, Independence Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $4,950. Students borrow a median of $7,302 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Independence Community College earn a median of $23,620 early in their careers. Set against $7,302 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wichita Area Technical College landed the #17 spot for personal & culinary services value this year. Wichita Area Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wichita. Students from in state pay about $7,237 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $11,828 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Wichita Area Technical College generally make around $35,358. Set against $11,828 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hennepin Technical College placed #18 among the best values for personal & culinary services. Hennepin Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,940. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $17,887 in student loans. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Hennepin Technical College earn a median of $52,059 early in their careers. Set against $17,887 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ridgewater College came in at #19 for value in personal & culinary services this year. Located in the town of Willmar, Ridgewater College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,121. Students borrow a median of $9,750 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Ridgewater College earn a median of $21,574 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cowley County Community College landed the #20 spot for personal & culinary services value this year. Cowley County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Arkansas City. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800, compared with $6,600 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $9,312. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Cowley County Community College earn a median of $34,099 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Century College placed #21 among the best values for personal & culinary services. Set in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,214 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,332 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $47,502. That is a strong return on a $21,332 median debt.
Des Moines Area Community College landed the #22 spot for personal & culinary services value this year. Set in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,790, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $12,363. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Des Moines Area Community College earn a median of $30,031 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College placed #23 among the best values for personal & culinary services. Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Saint Paul. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,326. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $15,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College generally make around $32,897. That is a strong return on a $15,875 median debt.
Minnesota West Community And Technical College placed #24 among the best values for personal & culinary services. Minnesota West Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Granite Falls. Students from in state pay about $6,491 in tuition and fees. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $8,730 in student loans. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $17,767. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Minnesota State Community And Technical College came in at #25 for value in personal & culinary services this year. Minnesota State Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Fergus Falls. Students from in state pay about $5,908 in tuition and fees. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $10,169 in student loans. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Minnesota State Community And Technical College generally make around $24,367. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Personal & Culinary Services Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for personal & culinary services this year:
Narrow Personal & Culinary Services Schools by State
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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 · 101 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 101 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.
