Find Affordable College Courses

What Do You Want to Study?

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

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.

Top 15% Best Personal & Culinary Services Schools

$9,554 Average Tuition & Fees

Our 2023 rankings named Brookdale Community College the best value school in the Middle Atlantic Region for personal and culinary services students. Brookdale Community College is a medium-sized public school located in the rural area of Lincroft.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Brookdale Community College are $9,554 a year. Personal & Culinary Services majors at Brookdale Community College take out an average of $10,375 in student loans while working on their egree.

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

Request Information
#2

Laurel Business Institute

Uniontown, PA
$10,970 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Laurel Business Institute is a great value for personal and culinary services students. Located in the small 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

Request Information
$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 medium-sized public school located in the town of Indiana.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at IUP are $18,897 a year.

Read More…

Request Information
$8,340 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Atlantic Cape Community College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Personal & Culinary Services Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Located in the rural area of Mays Landing, Atlantic Cape Community College is a public school with a small student population.

Atlantic Cape Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,340 in tuition and fees each 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

Request Information
$18,292 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent programs at American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best personal and culinary services schools in the Middle Atlantic Region . AAMI is a small private not-for-profit school located in the large city of New York.

AAMI undergraduate students pay an average of $18,292 in tuition and fees each year. After completing their degree, personal and culinary services graduates from AAMI carry an average student debtload of $25,851.

Read full report on Personal & Culinary Services at American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service

Request Information
$12,075 Average Tuition & Fees

Penn Commercial Business/Technical School did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for personal and culinary services students. It came in at #6 on the list. Located in the suburb of Washington, Penn Commercial is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Penn Commercial are $12,075 per 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.

Read More…

Request Information
$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 suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a public school with a very large student population.

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

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

Request Information
#8

Douglas Education Center

Monessen, PA
$17,950 Average Tuition & Fees

Douglas Education Center landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value personal and culinary services programs. Douglas Education Center is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the 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

Request Information

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 fairly large public school located in the city of Dover.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Delaware Tech are $11,808 a 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.

Read More…

Request Information
$10,432 Average Tuition & Fees

SUNY Schenectady 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 #10 on the list. SUNY Schenectady is a small public school located in the city of Schenectady.

SUNY Schenectady undergraduate students pay an average of $10,432 in tuition and fees each 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

Request Information
$8,132 Average Tuition & Fees

Kingsborough Community College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Personal & Culinary Services Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. KCC is a fairly large public school located in the large 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

Request Information
#12

Laurel Technical Institute

MEADVILLE, PA
$10,582 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 #12 on the 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

Request Information
$10,423 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #13, Niagara County Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for personal and culinary services students. Located in the rural area of Sanborn, Niagara County Community College is a public college with a small student population.

Niagara County Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $10,423 in tuition and fees each 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.

Full Personal & Culinary Services at Niagara County Community College Report

Request Information
#14

Nassau Community College

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

Nassau Community College landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value personal and culinary services programs. Located in the large suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a public school with a large student population.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Nassau Community College are $12,130 a year.

Read More…

Request Information
$11,028 Average Tuition & Fees

Laurel Technical Institute landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value personal and culinary services programs. Located in the rural area of Sharon, LTI Sharon is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

LTI Sharon undergraduate students pay an average of $11,028 in tuition and fees each 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

Request Information
#16

Jna Institute of Culinary Arts

Philadelphia, PA
$14,575 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #16, Jna Institute of Culinary Arts did quite well on this year’s best value schools for personal and culinary services students. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Jna Institute of Culinary Arts 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 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.

Full Personal & Culinary Services at Jna Institute of Culinary Arts Report

Request Information
$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…

Request Information
#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 More…

Request Information
$35,550 Average Tuition & Fees

Culinary Institute of America landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value personal and culinary services programs. The Culinary Institute of America is a small private not-for-profit school located in the large 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.

Read More…

Request Information
#20

Sullivan County Community College

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

Sullivan County Community College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Personal & Culinary Services Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. SUNY Sullivan is a small public school located in the rural area of Loch Sheldrake.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at SUNY Sullivan are $11,516 a year.

Full Personal & Culinary Services at Sullivan County Community College Report

Request Information
$16,699 Average Tuition & Fees

Pittsburgh Technical College ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Personal & Culinary Services Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. 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.

Full Personal & Culinary Services at Pittsburgh Technical College Report

Request Information
$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 small student population.

The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College undergraduate students pay an average of $23,550 in tuition and fees each 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

Request Information

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 colleges 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.

Find Schools Near You

Our free school finder matches students with accredited colleges across the U.S.