2027 Best Value Personal & Culinary Services Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Personal & Culinary Services](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong personal & culinary services education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 167 schools to find the best return on investment for personal & culinary services students.
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2027 Best Value Personal & Culinary Services Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in personal & culinary services, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Personal & Culinary Services Schools
Suffolk County Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $11,246. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $35,667 early in their careers. Set against $11,246 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Kingsborough Community College earned it the #2 place for personal & culinary services. Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $5,252 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,132 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,858 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Cuny Kingsborough Community College earn a median of $35,562 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Middlesex County College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. Set in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,764, compared with $7,356 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $9,514. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Middlesex County College generally make around $37,975. Set against $9,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Niagara County Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. Set in the rural area of Sanborn, Niagara County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,894, with out-of-state students paying around $12,030. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Niagara County Community College earn a median of $26,514 early in their careers. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Nassau Community College one of the best values for personal & culinary services. Nassau Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Garden City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,330, with out-of-state students paying around $12,130. Students borrow a median of $11,942 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $44,695. Set against $11,942 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Atlantic Cape Community College earned the #6 position for value in personal & culinary services this year. Atlantic Cape Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mays Landing. In-state tuition and fees average $5,594, compared with $8,350 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Atlantic Cape Community College generally make around $31,639. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Hudson County Community College came in at #7 for value in personal & culinary services this year. Hudson County Community College is a large public school located in the city of Jersey City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,384, with out-of-state students paying around $9,248. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $12,900. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $26,170. Set against $12,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Westmoreland County Community College placed #8 among the best values for personal & culinary services. Westmoreland County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Youngwood. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,306, compared with $14,728 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Median earnings reach $37,439 ten years out. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mercer County Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. Set in the rural area of West Windsor, Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,310, while out-of-state students pay about $9,174. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $12,250 in student loans. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $45,389. Set against $12,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Monroe Community College came in at #10 for value in personal & culinary services this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,006, while out-of-state students pay about $11,056. Students borrow a median of $12,921 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $38,757. Set against $12,921 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Schenectady County Community College landed the #11 spot for personal & culinary services value this year. Set in the city of Schenectady, Schenectady County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,190, with out-of-state students paying around $8,974. Median earnings reach $40,902 ten years out.
Prince Georges Community College came in at #12 for value in personal & culinary services this year. Set in the suburb of Largo, Prince Georges Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,034, compared with $8,762 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,949 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $56,960. That is a strong return on a $13,949 median debt.
Erie Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. Erie Community College is a large public school located in the city of Buffalo. Students from in state pay about $6,100 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $6,439. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Erie Community College generally make around $15,565. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hudson Valley Community College landed the #14 spot for personal & culinary services value this year. Set in the city of Troy, Hudson Valley Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,796, with out-of-state students paying around $11,852. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $12,868 in student loans. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Hudson Valley Community College generally make around $43,989. Set against $12,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny Westchester Community College came in at #15 for value in personal & culinary services this year. Located in the suburb of Valhalla, Suny Westchester Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,948, with out-of-state students paying around $12,486. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $8,764 in student loans. Personal & Culinary Services graduates of Suny Westchester Community College earn a median of $57,520 early in their careers. Set against $8,764 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Brookdale Community College landed the #16 spot for personal & culinary services value this year. Set in the suburb of Lincroft, Brookdale Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,270, with out-of-state students paying around $10,140. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $12,651 in student loans. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $37,374. That is a strong return on a $12,651 median debt.
Delaware Technical Community College Terry landed the #17 spot for personal & culinary services value this year. Located in the city of Dover, Delaware Technical Community College Terry is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,332, compared with $5,763 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,154 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $26,031. That is a strong return on a $11,154 median debt.
Allegany College Of Maryland earned the #18 position for value in personal & culinary services this year. Allegany College Of Maryland is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Cumberland. In-state tuition and fees average $4,940, compared with $12,620 for out-of-state students. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $18,823 in student loans. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $42,542. Set against $18,823 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Passaic County Community College came in at #19 for value in personal & culinary services this year. Set in the suburb of Paterson, Passaic County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,300, with out-of-state students paying around $10,560. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $9,581 in student loans. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Passaic County Community College generally make around $28,957. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Frederick Community College came in at #20 for value in personal & culinary services this year. Frederick Community College is a large public school located in the city of Frederick. Students from in state pay about $3,849 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,042 for out-of-state students. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $10,778 in student loans. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $43,733. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Howard Community College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. Howard Community College is a large public school located in the city of Columbia. In-state tuition and fees average $4,599, compared with $10,836 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,115 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $56,172. That is a strong return on a $18,115 median debt.
Montgomery County Community College landed the #22 spot for personal & culinary services value this year. Located in the suburb of Blue Bell, Montgomery County Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,690, compared with $17,250 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,417 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $30,324. Set against $15,417 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The Community College Of Baltimore County came in at #23 for value in personal & culinary services this year. Located in the suburb of Baltimore, The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,110, while out-of-state students pay about $10,182. Typical student debt for personal & culinary services graduates is $18,038. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from The Community College Of Baltimore County generally make around $52,440. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Adirondack Community College placed #24 among the best values for personal & culinary services. Set in the suburb of Queensbury, Adirondack Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,844, while out-of-state students pay about $9,616. Personal & Culinary Services graduates carry a median of $12,358 in student loans. Soon after graduation, personal & culinary services degree recipients from Adirondack Community College generally make around $31,590. Set against $12,358 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northampton County Area Community College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value personal & culinary services schools. Located in the suburb of Bethlehem, Northampton County Area Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,550, with out-of-state students paying around $15,270. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the personal & culinary services program here. Early-career personal & culinary services graduates make about $39,949. 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
More Personal & Culinary Services Rankings
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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 · 167 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 167 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.
