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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 24 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for culinary arts students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in culinary arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in culinary arts, no school beat Moraine Valley Community College this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $9,846. Typical student debt for culinary arts graduates is $11,149. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $43,844. Set against $11,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Lake Land College one of the best values for culinary arts. Set in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,415 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,301. Students borrow a median of $5,163 to complete the culinary arts program here. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Lake Land College generally make around $14,366. That is a strong return on a $5,163 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in culinary arts will find it at Triton College, which ranked #3. Triton College is a large public school located in the suburb of River Grove. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,070, compared with $15,330 for out-of-state students. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $12,994 in student loans. Culinary Arts graduates of Triton College earn a median of $43,278 early in their careers. Set against $12,994 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value culinary arts schools. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Students borrow a median of $7,986 to complete the culinary arts program here. Culinary Arts graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College earn a median of $19,447 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 Richland Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Decatur, Richland Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,680, with out-of-state students paying around $17,070. Students borrow a median of $9,562 to complete the culinary arts program here. Culinary Arts graduates of Richland Community College earn a median of $46,233 early in their careers. Set against $9,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lincoln Land Community College landed the #6 spot for culinary arts value this year. Lincoln Land Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,744, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $11,272 in student loans. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $43,834. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Joliet Junior College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value culinary arts schools. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,530, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Typical student debt for culinary arts graduates is $16,375. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $28,252. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Elgin Community College landed the #8 spot for culinary arts value this year. Located in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,252, while out-of-state students pay about $9,516. Typical student debt for culinary arts graduates is $7,727. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Elgin Community College generally make around $43,975. That is a strong return on a $7,727 median debt.
College Of Dupage landed the #9 spot for culinary arts value this year. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,750. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $12,492 in student loans. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $26,952. Set against $12,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Lake County earned the #10 position for value in culinary arts this year. Located in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,788, compared with $14,400 for out-of-state students. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $9,785 in student loans. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from College Of Lake County generally make around $50,314. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kaskaskia College came in at #11 for value in culinary arts this year. Located in the rural area of Centralia, Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800, while out-of-state students pay about $12,570. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $7,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Kaskaskia College generally make around $45,658. That is a strong return on a $7,875 median debt.
Rend Lake College earned the #12 position for value in culinary arts this year. Located in the rural area of Ina, Rend Lake College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,500, compared with $7,800 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,688 to complete the culinary arts program here. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Rend Lake College generally make around $42,770. Set against $8,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mchenry County College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value culinary arts schools. Located in the rural area of Crystal Lake, Mchenry County College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,162, while out-of-state students pay about $14,399. Students borrow a median of $7,440 to complete the culinary arts program here. Culinary Arts graduates of Mchenry County College earn a median of $24,177 early in their careers. Set against $7,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Illinois Central College came in at #14 for value in culinary arts this year. Illinois Central College is a large public school located in the suburb of East Peoria. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800, compared with $12,150 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,222 to complete the culinary arts program here. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Illinois Central College generally make around $53,190. Set against $12,222 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
National Louis University came in at #15 for value in culinary arts this year. National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,245. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the culinary arts program here. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $24,786. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. National Louis University admits about 95% of applicants.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.