2027 Best Value Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/Manager Associate’s Degree Schools
[Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/Manager](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/culinary-arts/restaurant-culinary-and-catering-management-manager/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong restaurant, culinary catering management/manager education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 74 schools to find the best return on investment for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager students.
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2027 Best Value Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/Manager Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the restaurant, culinary catering management/manager degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/Manager Schools
Cerritos College tops our 2027 list of the best value restaurant, culinary catering management/manager schools in the United States. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/manager graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/manager graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in restaurant, culinary catering management/manager will find it at Suffolk County Community College, which ranked #2. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,630, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/manager graduates carry a median of $11,246 in student loans. Early-career restaurant, culinary catering management/manager graduates make about $35,667. Set against $11,246 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in restaurant, culinary catering management/manager will find it at San Joaquin Delta College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Stockton, San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $9,772. Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/manager graduates carry a median of $6,382 in student loans. Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/manager graduates of San Joaquin Delta College earn a median of $65,168 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of The Canyons earned it the #4 place for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Typical student debt for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager graduates is $9,776. Soon after graduation, restaurant, culinary catering management/manager degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Moraine Valley Community College earned it the #5 place for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager. Moraine Valley Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Palos Hills. Students from in state pay about $3,822 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,846. Students borrow a median of $11,149 to complete the restaurant, culinary catering management/manager program here. Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/manager graduates of Moraine Valley Community College earn a median of $43,844 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College earned the #6 position for value in restaurant, culinary catering management/manager this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,517, compared with $10,044 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager graduates is $12,145. Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/manager graduates of Cincinnati State Technical And Community College earn a median of $47,975 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College came in at #7 for value in restaurant, culinary catering management/manager this year. Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Valdosta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,480, with out-of-state students paying around $6,048. Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/manager graduates carry a median of $10,864 in student loans. Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/manager graduates of Wiregrass Georgia Technical College earn a median of $40,452 early in their careers. Set against $10,864 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida State College At Jacksonville landed the #8 spot for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager value this year. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,657, while out-of-state students pay about $9,631. Typical student debt for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager graduates is $19,139. Early-career restaurant, culinary catering management/manager graduates make about $46,748. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Macomb Community College earned the #9 position for value in restaurant, culinary catering management/manager this year. Macomb Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Warren. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/manager graduates carry a median of $9,862 in student loans. Early-career restaurant, culinary catering management/manager graduates make about $20,701. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Miami Dade College came in at #10 for value in restaurant, culinary catering management/manager this year. Located in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,838, while out-of-state students pay about $9,661. Typical student debt for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager graduates is $10,882. Early-career restaurant, culinary catering management/manager graduates make about $31,101. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hillsborough Community College earned the #11 position for value in restaurant, culinary catering management/manager this year. Located in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,491, with out-of-state students paying around $9,088. Students borrow a median of $19,657 to complete the restaurant, culinary catering management/manager program here. Early-career restaurant, culinary catering management/manager graduates make about $29,451. Set against $19,657 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Metropolitan Community College Area earned the #12 position for value in restaurant, culinary catering management/manager this year. 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. Typical student debt for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager graduates is $12,799. Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/manager graduates of Metropolitan Community College Area earn a median of $45,583 early in their careers. Set against $12,799 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cypress College placed #13 among the best values for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager. Located in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,150, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,533 ten years after entry.
Indian River State College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value restaurant, culinary catering management/manager schools. Indian River State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fort Pierce. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,764, while out-of-state students pay about $10,201. Typical student debt for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager graduates is $10,492. Early-career restaurant, culinary catering management/manager graduates make about $44,082. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt.
Central New Mexico Community College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value restaurant, culinary catering management/manager schools. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. In-state tuition and fees average $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete the restaurant, culinary catering management/manager program here. Soon after graduation, restaurant, culinary catering management/manager degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $23,139. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Kingsborough Community College earned the #16 position for value in restaurant, culinary catering management/manager this year. Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,252, compared with $8,132 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,858 to complete the restaurant, culinary catering management/manager program here. Soon after graduation, restaurant, culinary catering management/manager degree recipients from Cuny Kingsborough Community College generally make around $35,562. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mission College earned the #17 position for value in restaurant, culinary catering management/manager this year. Set in the city of Santa Clara, Mission College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,438, with out-of-state students paying around $12,500. Students borrow a median of $17,223 to complete the restaurant, culinary catering management/manager program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,936 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $17,223 median debt.
Grossmont College earned the #18 position for value in restaurant, culinary catering management/manager this year. Grossmont College is a very large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, compared with $10,628 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,309 ten years after entry.
St Philips College earned the #19 position for value in restaurant, culinary catering management/manager this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, St Philips College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager graduates is $15,653. Early-career restaurant, culinary catering management/manager graduates make about $45,185. That is a strong return on a $15,653 median debt.
El Paso Community College came in at #20 for value in restaurant, culinary catering management/manager this year. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,274 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,542 to complete the restaurant, culinary catering management/manager program here. Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/manager graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $29,086 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Seattle Community College South Campus placed #21 among the best values for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager. Seattle Community College South Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Seattle. Students from in state pay about $5,208 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,796. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,486.
Utah Valley University landed the #22 spot for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager value this year. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete the restaurant, culinary catering management/manager program here. Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/manager graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $27,056 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mercer County Community College placed #23 among the best values for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager. Located in the rural area of West Windsor, Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,310, with out-of-state students paying around $9,174. Students borrow a median of $12,250 to complete the restaurant, culinary catering management/manager program here. Soon after graduation, restaurant, culinary catering management/manager degree recipients from Mercer County Community College generally make around $45,389. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Rosa Junior College placed #24 among the best values for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,318, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the restaurant, culinary catering management/manager program here. Soon after graduation, restaurant, culinary catering management/manager degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Elgin Community College came in at #25 for value in restaurant, culinary catering management/manager this year. Located in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,252, while out-of-state students pay about $9,516. Typical student debt for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager graduates is $7,727. Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/manager graduates of Elgin Community College earn a median of $43,975 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,727 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/Manager Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for restaurant, culinary catering management/manager this year:
Other Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/Manager Degree Levels
Explore the best-value restaurant, culinary catering management/manager schools at other degree levels:
View All Restaurant, Culinary Catering Management/Manager Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 74 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 74 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.
