by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
College Factual analyzed 200 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value culinary arts schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the culinary arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in culinary arts, no school beat Joliet Junior College this year. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. In-state tuition and fees average $4,530, with out-of-state students paying around $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.
El Centro College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value culinary arts schools. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. 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 $31,770 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,218 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Wilkes Community College one of the best values for culinary arts. Set in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,572, compared with $8,716 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $9,125 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Trident Technical College one of the best values for culinary arts. Located in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,546, while out-of-state students pay about $8,620. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $50,166. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in culinary arts will find it at Middlesex County College, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,764 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,356. Typical student debt for culinary arts graduates is $9,514. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Middlesex County College generally make around $37,975. Set against $9,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Piedmont Community College earned the #6 position for value in culinary arts this year. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Students from in state pay about $2,792 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Typical student debt for culinary arts graduates is $11,861. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $27,127. Set against $11,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cerritos College landed the #7 spot for culinary arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the culinary arts program here. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value culinary arts schools. Set in the suburb of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,144, compared with $9,094 for out-of-state students. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $14,382 in student loans. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $26,843. That is a strong return on a $14,382 median debt.
Schoolcraft College came in at #9 for value in culinary arts this year. Located in the city of Livonia, Schoolcraft College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,799, while out-of-state students pay about $6,501. Students borrow a median of $15,750 to complete the culinary arts program here. 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.
College Of The Sequoias earned the #10 position for value in culinary arts this year. 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. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $10,288 in student loans. Culinary Arts graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $37,749 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,288 median debt.
Suffolk County Community College came in at #11 for value in culinary arts this year. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Typical student debt for culinary arts graduates is $11,246. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $35,667. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Joaquin Delta College came in at #12 for value in culinary arts this year. Set in the city of Stockton, San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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.
Moraine Valley Community College earned the #13 position for value in culinary arts this year. Located in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,822, while out-of-state students pay about $9,846. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $11,149 in student loans. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Moraine Valley Community College generally make around $43,844. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Texas College came in at #14 for value in culinary arts this year. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Students borrow a median of $6,868 to complete the culinary arts program here. Culinary Arts graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $24,084 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Canyons landed the #15 spot for culinary arts value this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. 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.
Spartanburg Community College placed #16 among the best values for culinary arts. Set in the suburb of Spartanburg, Spartanburg Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,071, while out-of-state students pay about $10,135. Typical student debt for culinary arts graduates is $10,148. Culinary Arts graduates of Spartanburg Community College earn a median of $41,598 early in their careers. Set against $10,148 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuyahoga Community College District ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value culinary arts schools. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,249 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,249. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $14,636 in student loans. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $39,394. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College came in at #18 for value in culinary arts this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,517, with out-of-state students paying around $10,044. Students borrow a median of $12,145 to complete the culinary arts program here. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $36,330. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value culinary arts schools. Located in the rural area of Valdosta, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,480, compared with $6,048 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,864 to complete the culinary arts program here. 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.
Macomb Community College placed #20 among the best values for culinary arts. Located in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,862 to complete the culinary arts program here. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Macomb Community College generally make around $20,701. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida State College At Jacksonville placed #21 among the best values for culinary arts. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. In-state tuition and fees average $2,657, with out-of-state students paying around $9,631. Students borrow a median of $19,139 to complete the culinary arts program here. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $46,748. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hillsborough Community College came in at #22 for value in culinary arts this year. Hillsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,491, compared with $9,088 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for culinary arts graduates is $19,657. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $29,451. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Miami Dade College earned the #23 position for value in culinary arts this year. Miami Dade College is a very large public school located in the city of Miami. In-state tuition and fees average $2,838, while out-of-state students pay about $9,661. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $10,882 in student loans. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Miami Dade College generally make around $31,101. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fayetteville Technical Community College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value culinary arts schools. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,628, while out-of-state students pay about $8,772. Students borrow a median of $16,909 to complete the culinary arts program here. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $40,584. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Metropolitan Community College Area landed the #25 spot for culinary arts value this year. Set in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,375, compared with $4,950 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,799 to complete the culinary arts program here. Culinary Arts graduates of Metropolitan Community College Area earn a median of $45,583 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
These schools also delivered strong value for culinary arts this year:
Explore the best-value culinary arts schools at other degree levels:
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 · 200 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 200 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.