2026 Best Value Restaurant/Food Services Management Schools in the Southwest Region
[Restaurant/Food Services Management](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/hospitality-management/restaurant-food-services-management/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 6 schools to find the best return on investment for restaurant/food services management students.
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2026 Best Value Restaurant/Food Services Management Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in restaurant/food services management, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Restaurant/Food Services Management Schools
Central Arizona College earned the #1 spot for value among restaurant/food services management schools in the Southwest Region. Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Coolidge. Students from in state pay about $2,250 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,500 for out-of-state students. Restaurant/food Services Management graduates carry a median of $11,635 in student loans. Soon after graduation, restaurant/food services management degree recipients from Central Arizona College generally make around $48,826. That is a strong return on a $11,635 median debt.
Central Texas College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in restaurant/food services management, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Killeen, Central Texas College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,750, while out-of-state students pay about $7,500. Typical student debt for restaurant/food services management graduates is $11,290. Restaurant/food Services Management graduates of Central Texas College earn a median of $53,086 early in their careers. Set against $11,290 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Houston Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value restaurant/food services management schools. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,040, with out-of-state students paying around $5,460. Restaurant/food Services Management graduates carry a median of $19,223 in student loans. Early-career restaurant/food services management graduates make about $40,365. That is a strong return on a $19,223 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in restaurant/food services management will find it at Arizona State University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Students borrow a median of $17,196 to complete the restaurant/food services management program here. Early-career restaurant/food services management graduates make about $34,499. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Scottsdale Community College earned it the #5 place for restaurant/food services management. Located in the rural area of Scottsdale, Scottsdale Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Restaurant/food Services Management graduates carry a median of $13,084 in student loans. Early-career restaurant/food services management graduates make about $48,039. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Arizona University placed #6 among the best values for restaurant/food services management. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,619, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Students borrow a median of $18,488 to complete the restaurant/food services management program here. Restaurant/food Services Management graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $36,155 early in their careers. Set against $18,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 6 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.
