Certificate (1-2 years)+13% vs national median288 grads tracked
Culinary, Entertainment, and Personal Services at Elgin Community College
Ranked 24th of 87 certificate (1-2 years) programs in Culinary, Entertainment, and Personal Services by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$28,292
middle 50%: $22,867 – $37,325
Median · 5 years out
$39,209
middle 50%: $30,241 – $52,989
Median · 10 years out
$56,620
middle 50%: $41,211 – $75,063
Salary trajectory
Median earnings vs the national median for Culinary, Entertainment, and Personal Services (certificate (1-2 years)) graduates.
This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates
This certificate program in personal services yields a $28k median starting salary. Ten-year earnings climb to $57k.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PSEO, release V4.13.0 2025Q4. Earnings are for graduates working in covered states; figures are medians in nominal dollars.
Will the degree pay for itself?
Drag the sliders — payback uses this program's actual salary curve.
Assumes a 6.5% APR loan and this program's median salary trajectory (interpolated between years 1, 5 and 10).
Paid off in
10.3 yrs
≈ $12,844 total interest
Same major at other universities
Cuyahoga Community College
$40,883 · 5 yrs out
Northern Virginia Community College
$40,883 · 5 yrs out
Elaine P. Nunez Community College
$40,342 · 5 yrs out
Hawaii Community College
$39,998 · 5 yrs out
Red Rocks Community College
$39,655 · 5 yrs out
Trident Technical College
$39,294 · 5 yrs out
University of Montana (The)
$39,196 · 5 yrs out
Saint Paul College - A Community & Technical College
$39,119 · 5 yrs out
Holyoke Community College
$38,842 · 5 yrs out
Houston Community College
$38,692 · 5 yrs out
Kauai Community College
$37,958 · 5 yrs out
Monroe Community College
$37,897 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at Elgin Community College
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate)
$79,834 · 5 yrs out
Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians (Certificate)
$76,251 · 5 yrs out
Fire Protection (Associate)
$75,786 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Associate)
$75,752 · 5 yrs out
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants (Certificate)
$75,598 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$72,585 · 5 yrs out
Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians (Certificate)
$69,841 · 5 yrs out
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) (Associate)
$69,154 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Associate)
$68,521 · 5 yrs out
Engineering, General (Associate)
$68,521 · 5 yrs out
Science Technologies/Technicians (Certificate)
$67,887 · 5 yrs out
Biology/Biotechnology Technologies/Technicians (Certificate)
$67,887 · 5 yrs out