2027 Best Value Culinary Arts Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[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.
College Factual analyzed 36 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value culinary arts schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Culinary Arts Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the culinary arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Culinary Arts Schools
Leading the list is Suffolk County Community College, our #1 best value for culinary arts in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,630 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. 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.
A rank of #2 makes Middlesex County College one of the best values for culinary arts. Located in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,764, compared with $7,356 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Kingsborough Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value culinary arts schools. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,252, while out-of-state students pay about $8,132. Students borrow a median of $7,858 to complete the culinary arts program here. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Cuny Kingsborough Community College generally make around $35,562. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Westmoreland County Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value culinary arts schools. Located in the suburb of Youngwood, Westmoreland County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,306, compared with $14,728 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the culinary arts program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $37,439 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in culinary arts will find it at Mercer County Community College, which ranked #5. Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of West Windsor. Students from in state pay about $5,310 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,174. Students borrow a median of $12,250 to complete the culinary arts program here. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $45,389. That is a strong return on a $12,250 median debt.
Nassau Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value culinary arts schools. Located in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,330, with out-of-state students paying around $12,130. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $11,850 in student loans. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $38,734. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Niagara County Community College placed #7 among the best values for culinary arts. Located in the rural area of Sanborn, Niagara County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,894, with out-of-state students paying around $12,030. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the culinary arts program here. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $26,514. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Monroe Community College earned the #8 position for value in culinary arts this year. Monroe Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rochester. In-state tuition and fees average $6,006, with out-of-state students paying around $11,056. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $12,921 in student loans. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $38,757. That is a strong return on a $12,921 median debt.
Hudson County Community College earned the #9 position for value in culinary arts this year. Set in the city of Jersey City, Hudson County Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,384, compared with $9,248 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for culinary arts graduates is $12,900. Culinary Arts graduates of Hudson County Community College earn a median of $26,170 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,900 median debt.
Atlantic Cape Community College landed the #10 spot for culinary arts value this year. Set in the rural area of Mays Landing, Atlantic Cape Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,594, compared with $8,350 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for culinary arts graduates is $11,000. Culinary Arts graduates of Atlantic Cape Community College earn a median of $31,639 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Erie Community College came in at #11 for value in culinary arts this year. Located in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,100, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $6,439 in student loans. Culinary Arts graduates of Erie Community College earn a median of $15,565 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Prince Georges Community College came in at #12 for value in culinary arts this year. Prince Georges Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Largo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,034, compared with $8,762 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for culinary arts graduates is $13,949. Culinary Arts graduates of Prince Georges Community College earn a median of $56,960 early in their careers. Set against $13,949 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Passaic County Community College earned the #13 position for value in culinary arts this year. Set in the suburb of Paterson, Passaic County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,300 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,560. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $9,581 in student loans. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Passaic County Community College generally make around $28,957. That is a strong return on a $9,581 median debt.
Schenectady County Community College earned the #14 position for value in culinary arts this year. Located in the city of Schenectady, Schenectady County Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,190, while out-of-state students pay about $8,974. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,902 ten years after entry.
Allegany College Of Maryland came in at #15 for value in culinary arts this year. Set in the town of Cumberland, Allegany College Of Maryland is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,940, with out-of-state students paying around $12,620. Typical student debt for culinary arts graduates is $18,823. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Allegany College Of Maryland generally make around $42,542. Set against $18,823 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny Westchester Community College earned the #16 position for value in culinary arts this year. Suny Westchester Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Valhalla. In-state tuition and fees average $5,948, compared with $12,486 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for culinary arts graduates is $8,764. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $57,520. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Frederick Community College landed the #17 spot for culinary arts value this year. Located in the city of Frederick, Frederick Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,849, while out-of-state students pay about $10,042. Students borrow a median of $10,778 to complete the culinary arts program here. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $43,733. That is a strong return on a $10,778 median debt.
Brookdale Community College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value culinary arts schools. Located in the suburb of Lincroft, Brookdale Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,270, with out-of-state students paying around $10,140. Students borrow a median of $12,651 to complete the culinary arts program here. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Brookdale Community College generally make around $37,374. Set against $12,651 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Adirondack Community College earned the #19 position for value in culinary arts this year. Adirondack Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Queensbury. Students from in state pay about $6,844 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,616. Typical student debt for culinary arts graduates is $12,358. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Adirondack Community College generally make around $31,590. Set against $12,358 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Delaware Technical Community College Terry earned the #20 position for value in culinary arts this year. Set in the city of Dover, Delaware Technical Community College Terry is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,332, with out-of-state students paying around $5,763. Students borrow a median of $11,154 to complete the culinary arts program here. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $26,031. Set against $11,154 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Montgomery County Community College earned the #21 position for value in culinary arts this year. Located in the suburb of Blue Bell, Montgomery County Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,690, compared with $17,250 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for culinary arts graduates is $15,417. Culinary Arts graduates of Montgomery County Community College earn a median of $30,324 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Howard Community College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value culinary arts schools. Located in the city of Columbia, Howard Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,599, while out-of-state students pay about $10,836. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $18,115 in student loans. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Howard Community College generally make around $56,172. Set against $18,115 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northampton County Area Community College earned the #23 position for value in culinary arts this year. Northampton County Area Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Bethlehem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,550, with out-of-state students paying around $15,270. Students borrow a median of $18,900 to complete the culinary arts program here. Culinary Arts graduates of Northampton County Area Community College earn a median of $35,960 early in their careers. Set against $18,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ocean County Vocational Technical School ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value culinary arts schools. Set in the suburb of Toms River, Ocean County Vocational Technical School is a small public institution. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Ocean County Vocational Technical School generally make around $16,566.
Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg came in at #25 for value in culinary arts this year. Located in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,975, while out-of-state students pay about $12,472. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $20,867 in student loans. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg generally make around $41,382. Set against $20,867 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 36 Best Value Culinary Arts Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s culinary arts value ranking:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 36 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 36 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
