[Culinary Arts](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/culinary-arts/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 360 schools to find the best return on investment for culinary arts students.
Finding the Best Value Culinary Arts School for You
The culinary arts program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we built our Best Value Culinary Arts Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Culinary Arts Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
For return on investment in culinary arts, no school beat El Centro College this year. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Students borrow a median of $9,218 to complete the culinary arts program here. Culinary Arts graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $31,127 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in culinary arts will find it at South Georgia Technical College, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Americus, South Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,992, compared with $7,202 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,423 to complete the culinary arts program here. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $40,497. Set against $10,423 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Joliet Junior College earned it the #3 place for culinary arts. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,530, while out-of-state students pay about $13,800. Typical student debt for culinary arts graduates is $16,375. Culinary Arts graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $28,252 early in their careers. Set against $16,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Trident Technical College one of the best values for culinary arts. Trident Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Charleston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,546, with out-of-state students paying around $8,620. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $50,166. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in culinary arts will find it at Wilkes Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,572, with out-of-state students paying around $8,716. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $9,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Wilkes Community College generally make around $36,341. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value culinary arts schools. Set in the rural area of Valdosta, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,480, while out-of-state students pay about $6,048. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $10,864 in student loans. Culinary Arts graduates of Wiregrass Georgia Technical College earn a median of $40,452 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Mainland came in at #7 for value in culinary arts this year. Set in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,310, with out-of-state students paying around $4,140. Typical student debt for culinary arts graduates is $10,928. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $40,788. Set against $10,928 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oxnard College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value culinary arts schools. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.
Middlesex County College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value culinary arts schools. Set in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,764, with out-of-state students paying around $7,356. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $9,514 in student loans. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Middlesex County College generally make around $37,975. That is a strong return on a $9,514 median debt.
Indian River State College placed #10 among the best values for culinary arts. Located in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,764 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,201. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the culinary arts program here. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $44,082. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lake Land College came in at #11 for value in culinary arts this year. Located in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,415 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,301. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $5,163 in student loans. Culinary Arts graduates of Lake Land College earn a median of $14,366 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,163 median debt.
Central Piedmont Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value culinary arts schools. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Typical student debt for culinary arts graduates is $11,861. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $27,127. That is a strong return on a $11,861 median debt.
College Of The Sequoias ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value culinary arts schools. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,394, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Typical student debt for culinary arts graduates is $10,288. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from College Of The Sequoias generally make around $37,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pensacola State College landed the #14 spot for culinary arts value this year. Located in the city of Pensacola, Pensacola State College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,361, while out-of-state students pay about $9,463. Typical student debt for culinary arts graduates is $9,191. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Pensacola State College generally make around $45,811. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Schoolcraft College placed #15 among the best values for culinary arts. Set in the city of Livonia, Schoolcraft College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,799, while out-of-state students pay about $6,501. Typical student debt for culinary arts graduates is $15,750. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Schoolcraft College generally make around $27,248. That is a strong return on a $15,750 median debt.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College came in at #16 for value in culinary arts this year. Set in the suburb of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,144 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,094. Students borrow a median of $14,382 to complete the culinary arts program here. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Kalamazoo Valley Community College generally make around $26,843. Set against $14,382 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cerritos College placed #17 among the best values for culinary arts. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $29,495. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Ana College placed #18 among the best values for culinary arts. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Typical student debt for culinary arts graduates is $11,196. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $39,633. That is a strong return on a $11,196 median debt.
Hillsborough Community College came in at #19 for value in culinary arts this year. Set in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,491, compared with $9,088 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,657 to complete the culinary arts program here. Culinary Arts graduates of Hillsborough Community College earn a median of $29,451 early in their careers. Set against $19,657 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moraine Valley Community College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value culinary arts schools. Moraine Valley Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Palos Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,822, compared with $9,846 for out-of-state students. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $11,149 in student loans. Culinary Arts graduates of Moraine Valley Community College earn a median of $43,844 early in their careers. Set against $11,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Richland Community College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value culinary arts schools. Located in the city of Decatur, Richland Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,680, while out-of-state students pay about $17,070. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $9,562 in student loans. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Richland Community College generally make around $46,233. Set against $9,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suffolk County Community College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value culinary arts schools. 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. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $11,246 in student loans. Culinary Arts graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $35,667 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,246 median debt.
San Joaquin Delta College placed #23 among the best values for culinary arts. Set in the city of Stockton, San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $9,772. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $6,382 in student loans. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $65,168. Set against $6,382 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida State College At Jacksonville landed the #24 spot for culinary arts value this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,657, with out-of-state students paying around $9,631. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $19,139 in student loans. Culinary Arts graduates of Florida State College At Jacksonville earn a median of $46,748 early in their careers. Set against $19,139 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Canyons ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value culinary arts schools. 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, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the culinary arts program here. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $51,913. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Culinary Arts Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in culinary arts:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 360 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 360 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).
[Culinary Arts](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/culinary-arts/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
