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Best Value Personal & Culinary Services Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

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2023 Best Value Personal & Culinary Services Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing

148 Colleges
$14,492 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$20,630 Avg Salary

Finding the Best Personal & Culinary Services School for You

Personal & Culinary Services is the #31 most popular major in the country with 130,328 degrees and certificates awarded in 2020-2021.

Today's students have lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.

To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Best Value Personal & Culinary Services Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking. This report analyzed 148 schools in the Middle Atlantic Region to see which ones offered the best value programs for personal and culinary services students. The goal was to highlight schools with more affordable prices than others offering similar quality experiences.

When determining this ranking, we place a high emphasis on the school's quality as well as its sticker price. Even though a college may be affordable, it may not offer value. Specifically, our score for quality is discounted by the published tuition and fees charged by the given college. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The more quality your dollar buys, the better the value.

Our calculations use out-of-state tuition and fees in our nationwide and regional rankings. For statewide rankings, we use average in-state tuition and fees.

2023 Best Value Personal & Culinary Services Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

The colleges and universities below are the best value schools for personal and culinary services majors pursuing a .

Top 15% Best Personal & Culinary Services Schools

$9,554 Average Tuition & Fees

Our analysis found Brookdale Community College to be the best value school for personal and culinary services students who want to pursue a degree in the Middle Atlantic Region . Brookdale Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Lincroft.

Brookdale Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $9,554 in tuition and fees each year. Personal & Culinary Services majors at Brookdale Community College take out an average of $10,375 in student loans while working on their egree.

Full Personal & Culinary Services at Brookdale Community College Report

#2

Laurel Business Institute

Uniontown, PA
$10,970 Average Tuition & Fees

Out of the 148 schools in the Middle Atlantic Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Laurel Business Institute landed the # 2 spot on the list. Located in the suburb of Uniontown, LBI is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at LBI are $10,970 per year. On average, personal and culinary services graduates from LBI take out $12,000 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read full report on Personal & Culinary Services at Laurel Business Institute

$18,897 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent programs at Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best personal and culinary services schools in the Middle Atlantic Region . IUP is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Indiana.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at IUP are $18,897 per year.

Full Personal & Culinary Services at Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus Report

$8,340 Average Tuition & Fees

Out of the 148 schools in the Middle Atlantic Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Atlantic Cape Community College landed the # 4 spot on the list. Located in the rural area of Mays Landing, Atlantic Cape Community College is a public college with a small student population.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Atlantic Cape Community College are $8,340 per year. The average amount in student loans that personal and culinary services majors at Atlantic Cape Community College take out is $11,000.

Read full report on Personal & Culinary Services at Atlantic Cape Community College

$18,292 Average Tuition & Fees

Out of the 148 schools in the Middle Atlantic Region that were part of this year’s ranking, American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service landed the # 5 spot on the list. AAMI is a small private not-for-profit school located in the large city of New York.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at AAMI are $18,292 a year. After completing their degree, personal and culinary services graduates from AAMI carry an average student debtload of $25,851.

Read More…

$12,075 Average Tuition & Fees

Penn Commercial Business/Technical School landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value personal and culinary services programs. Located in the suburb of Washington, Penn Commercial is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

Penn Commercial undergraduate students pay an average of $12,075 in tuition and fees each year. Personal & Culinary Services majors at Penn Commercial take out an average of $11,568 in student loans while working on their egree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $118.

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$11,740 Average Tuition & Fees

Suffolk County Community College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Personal & Culinary Services Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Located in the large suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a public college with a very large student population.

Suffolk County Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $11,740 in tuition and fees each year.

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#8

Douglas Education Center

Monessen, PA
$17,950 Average Tuition & Fees

Douglas Education Center came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Personal & Culinary Services Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking. Douglas Education Center is a small private for-profit school located in the small suburb of Monessen.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Douglas Education Center are $17,950 a year. After completing their degree, personal and culinary services graduates from Douglas Education Center carry an average student debtload of $10,934. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $424.

Read full report on Personal & Culinary Services at Douglas Education Center

Delaware Technical Community College - Terry came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Personal & Culinary Services Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking. Delaware Tech is a large public school located in the city of Dover.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Delaware Tech are $11,808 per year. On average, personal and culinary services graduates from Delaware Tech take out $5,500 in student loans while working on their degree.

In addition to its great value ranking, Delaware Tech is in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Personal & Culinary Services Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list.

Full Personal & Culinary Services at Delaware Technical Community College - Terry Report

$10,432 Average Tuition & Fees

SUNY Schenectady County Community College landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value personal and culinary services programs. SUNY Schenectady is a small public school located in the small city of Schenectady.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at SUNY Schenectady are $10,432 a year. While working on their degree, personal and culinary services majors at SUNY Schenectady accumulate an average of around $17,500 in student debt.

Read full report on Personal & Culinary Services at SUNY Schenectady County Community College

$8,132 Average Tuition & Fees

Kingsborough Community College landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value personal and culinary services programs. KCC is a fairly large public school located in the city of Brooklyn.

KCC undergraduate students pay an average of $8,132 in tuition and fees each year.

Full Personal & Culinary Services at Kingsborough Community College Report

#12

Laurel Technical Institute

MEADVILLE, PA
$10,582 Average Tuition & Fees

Laurel Technical Institute ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Personal & Culinary Services Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. LTI - Meadville is a small private for-profit school located in the rural area of MEADVILLE.

LTI - Meadville undergraduate students pay an average of $10,582 in tuition and fees each year. On average, personal and culinary services graduates from LTI - Meadville take out $13,374 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read full report on Personal & Culinary Services at Laurel Technical Institute

$10,423 Average Tuition & Fees

Niagara County Community College landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value personal and culinary services programs. Located in the rural area of Sanborn, Niagara County Community College is a public school with a small student population.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Niagara County Community College are $10,423 per year. Personal & Culinary Services majors at Niagara County Community College take out an average of $11,500 in student loans while working on their egree.

Read More…

#14

Nassau Community College

Garden City, NY
$12,130 Average Tuition & Fees

Nassau Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for personal and culinary services students. It came in at #14 on the list. Located in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a public college with a large student population.

Nassau Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $12,130 in tuition and fees each year.

Read full report on Personal & Culinary Services at Nassau Community College

$11,028 Average Tuition & Fees

Laurel Technical Institute did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for personal and culinary services students. It came in at #15 on the list. Located in the rural area of Sharon, LTI Sharon is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at LTI Sharon are $11,028 a year. After completing their degree, personal and culinary services graduates from LTI Sharon carry an average student debtload of $13,374.

Read full report on Personal & Culinary Services at Laurel Technical Institute

#16

Jna Institute of Culinary Arts

Philadelphia, PA
$14,575 Average Tuition & Fees

Jna Institute of Culinary Arts ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Personal & Culinary Services Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Located in the large city of Philadelphia, Jna Institute of Culinary Arts is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Jna Institute of Culinary Arts are $14,575 a year. While working on their degree, personal and culinary services majors at Jna Institute of Culinary Arts accumulate an average of around $11,375 in student debt.

Read More…

$11,798 Average Tuition & Fees

Hudson County Community College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Personal & Culinary Services Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Located in the city of Jersey City, HCCC is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at HCCC are $11,798 per year. After completing their degree, personal and culinary services graduates from HCCC carry an average student debtload of $11,650.

Read More…

#18

SUNY Delhi

Delhi, NY
$12,410 Average Tuition & Fees

SUNY Delhi did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for personal and culinary services students. It came in at #18 on the list. SUNY Delhi is a small public school located in the town of Delhi.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at SUNY Delhi are $12,410 a year. On average, personal and culinary services graduates from SUNY Delhi take out $25,000 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read full report on Personal & Culinary Services at SUNY Delhi

$35,550 Average Tuition & Fees

Culinary Institute of America did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for personal and culinary services students. It came in at #19 on the list. The Culinary Institute of America is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hyde Park.

The Culinary Institute of America undergraduate students pay an average of $35,550 in tuition and fees each year. After completing their degree, personal and culinary services graduates from The Culinary Institute of America carry an average student debtload of $19,500. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $450, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Personal & Culinary Services at Culinary Institute of America Report

#20

Sullivan County Community College

Loch Sheldrake, NY
$11,516 Average Tuition & Fees

Sullivan County Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for personal and culinary services students. It came in at #20 on the list. SUNY Sullivan is a small public school located in the rural area of Loch Sheldrake.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at SUNY Sullivan are $11,516 per year.

Read More…

$16,699 Average Tuition & Fees

Pittsburgh Technical College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Personal & Culinary Services Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking. Pittsburgh Technical College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Oakdale.

Pittsburgh Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $16,699 in tuition and fees each year. While working on their degree, personal and culinary services majors at Pittsburgh Technical College accumulate an average of around $14,520 in student debt. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $195.

Read full report on Personal & Culinary Services at Pittsburgh Technical College

$23,550 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #22, The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for personal and culinary services students. Located in the city of Philadelphia, The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College are $23,550 per year. Personal & Culinary Services majors at The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College take out an average of $19,500 in student loans while working on their egree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $527, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Personal & Culinary Services at The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College

Honorable Mentions

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Value Personal & Culinary Services Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region award.

Rank College Location
23 Community College of Philadelphia Philadelphia, PA
24 Alfred State College Alfred, NY
25 Pennsylvania College of Technology Williamsport, PA
26 Montgomery County Community College Blue Bell, PA
27 Monroe College Bronx, NY
28 Point Park University Pittsburgh, PA
29 Erie Community College Buffalo, NY

Best Personal & Culinary Services Colleges by State

Explore the best personal and culinary services schools for a specific state in the Middle Atlantic region.

State Degrees Awarded
New Jersey 134
Pennsylvania 466
New York 1,214
Maryland 97
Delaware 21
District of Columbia 6

Personal & Culinary Services Majors to Study

Major Annual Graduates
Cosmetology 107,895
Culinary Arts 19,806
Funeral & Mortuary Science 2,354
Casino Operations and Services 192
Other Personal & Culinary Services 81

Majors Similar to Personal & Culinary Services

Related Major Annual Graduates
Mechanic & Repair Technologies 96,336
Precision Production 52,913
Construction Trades 35,794
Transportation & Materials Moving 29,084

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 25 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 the rest 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).
  • Credit for the banner image above goes to U.S. Army Europe Images.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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