by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 1,973 U.S. colleges awarded 162,463 degrees and certificates in Personal & Culinary Services. Certificates are the most popular award, at 49% of graduates. College Factual ranks 1,621 schools in its 2027 Best Personal & Culinary Services Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $18,242 one year after completing, rising to $28,027 after four years.
If you are a people person and enjoy helping others look and feel their best, a career in Personal and Culinary Services is right for you.
In personal services, you will be able to get a degree in areas such as Cosmetology which allows you to practice creativity and expertise as you perfect someone's hair or makeup. A major in Culinary Arts allows you to explore your passion for food and cooking to work in the kitchen as an assistant or top chef. A degree in Funeral Service and Mortuary Science will allow you to meet people's needs in a very emotional time. No matter what occupation you decide to purse, a career in Personal and Culinary Services will give you the opportunity to serve others while following your passion.
Many of these degrees are offered as an Associate's, although some college have Bachelor's programs associated with them.
Studying Personal & Culinary Services involves the study of Culinary, Entertainment, And Personal Services. Instructional Programs That Prepare Individuals To Provide Professional Services Related To Cosmetology, Funeral Services, Entertainment, And Food Preparation And Service.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., personal & culinary services draws strong interest, with 162,463 degrees awarded annually. 1,973 colleges award personal & culinary services degrees, an average of 82 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 3,260.
By level, the 162,463 awards include 78,908 certificates, 11,412 associate degrees, 699 bachelor’s degrees and 65,686 master’s degrees.
Women earned 85% of personal & culinary services degrees and certificates in the latest year (138,657 of 162,463). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (64,507) and Hispanic or Latino (48,997), and international students earned 1,012.
College Factual ranks 1,621 schools in its 2027 Best Personal & Culinary Services Schools ranking, including 274 for associate degrees and 14 for bachelor’s degrees. It also ranks personal & culinary services schools within 40 states. In all, 1,973 colleges offer personal & culinary services programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Personal & Culinary Services Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common personal & culinary services credential is the certificate: 78,908 of the 162,463 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to personal & culinary services call most for Speaking, Active Listening and Monitoring, and for knowledge of Customer and Personal Service, English Language and Administration and Management, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Oral Comprehension and Problem Sensitivity.
Any career in personal services requires strong interpersonal, communication, and customer service skills. It is also important to be able to work in a team and swiftly meet your client's needs. Personal and Culinary Services graduates often have management roles within their companies requiring them to work with other managers or assign tasks to colleagues. The background in business also makes graduates stand out to employers.
Some careers within Personal and Culinary Services require a state-specific license. Be sure to check with the state you want to work in to ensure you are fulfilling all requirements to obtain the license. These programs also require apprenticeships that can last between 1 - 3 years. These careers are experience based making a summer job or internship beneficial to current students.
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How long a personal & culinary services degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 78,908 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 11,412 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 699 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 65,686 |
High school diploma or equivalent is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to personal & culinary services, at 34.2%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 34.2% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 22.3% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 18.9% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 12.7% |
| Some college courses | 5.9% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 5.0% |
| Master’s degree | 0.8% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.1% |
| First professional degree | 0.1% |
Source: O*NET Online.
30 occupations are related to Personal & Culinary Services, with an average median salary of $59,925; the strongest outlook belongs to Cooks, Private Household, at 13.9% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Cook, Culinary Specialist, Cooking Chef and Private Chef.
Personal services are always needed in our society. Graduates of this field of study become funeral directors, embalmers, hair stylists, makeup artists, masseuses, chefs, restaurant or hotel managers and any other occupation that involves hospitality or service.
Jobs in personal services tend to grow at a steady rate that is about average when compared to other jobs. Personal services are convenient and necessary, meaning they are in demand even in a bad economy.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to personal & culinary services, at 2,026,560.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Private Household | 2,026,560 | 13.9% |
| Cooks, Restaurant | 1,757,049 | 0.9% |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | 1,329,217 | 12.5% |
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | 964,215 | -0.1% |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | 863,163 | 5.6% |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | 606,268 | 3.4% |
| Bartenders | 586,986 | 12.2% |
| Concierges | 586,532 | 0.0% |
Personal & Culinary Services graduates earn a median $18,242 one year after completing their program, $28,027 after four years and $24,047 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $18,242 |
| 4 years | $28,027 |
| 5 years | $24,047 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to personal & culinary services is Funeral Home Managers, with a median salary of $179,553.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Funeral Home Managers | $179,553 |
| Personal Service Managers, All Other | $176,674 |
| Food Service Managers | $165,782 |
| Spa Managers | $143,396 |
| Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products | $111,183 |
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | $68,967 |
| Fitness and Wellness Coordinators | $66,320 |
| Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers | $58,312 |
Personal & Culinary Services includes 5 concentrations that together award 162,463 degrees a year; by graduates, the largest are Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services (133,218), Culinary Arts and Related Services (25,836) and Funeral Service and Mortuary Science (2,646). Browse the full list of college majors.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | 133,218 |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | 25,836 |
| Funeral Service and Mortuary Science | 2,646 |
| Casino Operations and Services | 711 |
| Culinary, Entertainment, and Personal Services, Other | 52 |
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