2027 Best Value Culinary Arts Schools in the Southwest Region
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 48 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for culinary arts students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Culinary Arts Schools in the Southwest 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 El Centro College, our #1 best value for culinary arts in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,730 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $9,218 in student loans. Culinary Arts graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $31,127 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,218 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in culinary arts will find it at College Of The Mainland, which ranked #2. College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Texas City. In-state tuition and fees average $2,310, with out-of-state students paying around $4,140. Students borrow a median of $10,928 to complete the culinary arts program here. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $40,788. Set against $10,928 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Texas College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value culinary arts schools. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Typical student debt for culinary arts graduates is $6,868. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $24,084. Set against $6,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pima Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in culinary arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,442 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,655 to complete the culinary arts program here. Culinary Arts graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $40,977 early in their careers. Set against $10,655 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in culinary arts will find it at Lamar State College Port Arthur, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Port Arthur, Lamar State College Port Arthur is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,770, while out-of-state students pay about $8,070. Students borrow a median of $33,385 to complete the culinary arts program here. Culinary Arts graduates of Lamar State College Port Arthur earn a median of $78,580 early in their careers. Set against $33,385 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tarrant County College District came in at #6 for value in culinary arts this year. Tarrant County College District is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Worth. In-state tuition and fees average $1,863, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $15,148 in student loans. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $45,158. Set against $15,148 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Del Mar College landed the #7 spot for culinary arts value this year. Del Mar College is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. In-state tuition and fees average $3,500, compared with $6,050 for out-of-state students. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $7,476 in student loans. Culinary Arts graduates of Del Mar College earn a median of $40,661 early in their careers. Set against $7,476 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Paso Community College placed #8 among the best values for culinary arts. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Students from in state pay about $3,274 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,542 to complete the culinary arts program here. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $29,086. That is a strong return on a $8,542 median debt.
Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus came in at #9 for value in culinary arts this year. Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Roswell. In-state tuition and fees average $2,256, with out-of-state students paying around $5,616. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $11,110 in student loans. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus generally make around $21,129. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Philips College landed the #10 spot for culinary arts value this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, St Philips College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Students borrow a median of $15,653 to complete the culinary arts program here. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $45,185. That is a strong return on a $15,653 median debt.
Central New Mexico Community College came in at #11 for value in culinary arts this year. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,060, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete the culinary arts program here. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $23,139. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.
Central Arizona College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value culinary arts schools. Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Coolidge. In-state tuition and fees average $2,250, while out-of-state students pay about $4,500. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $11,635 in student loans. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Central Arizona College generally make around $48,826. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Austin Community College District landed the #13 spot for culinary arts value this year. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $14,519 in student loans. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $44,895. Set against $14,519 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grayson College earned the #14 position for value in culinary arts this year. Grayson College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Denison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,000, compared with $6,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,627 to complete the culinary arts program here. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $42,487. Set against $11,627 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Houston Community College came in at #15 for value in culinary arts this year. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,040, while out-of-state students pay about $5,460. Typical student debt for culinary arts graduates is $26,217. Culinary Arts graduates of Houston Community College earn a median of $26,419 early in their careers. Set against $26,217 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Laredo Community College landed the #16 spot for culinary arts value this year. Located in the city of Laredo, Laredo Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,300, while out-of-state students pay about $5,748. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the culinary arts program here. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Laredo Community College generally make around $41,354. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Odessa College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value culinary arts schools. Set in the city of Odessa, Odessa College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,688, while out-of-state students pay about $4,926. Typical student debt for culinary arts graduates is $9,087. Culinary Arts graduates of Odessa College earn a median of $47,856 early in their careers. Set against $9,087 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lee College earned the #18 position for value in culinary arts this year. Located in the city of Baytown, Lee College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,520 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,045. Students borrow a median of $10,941 to complete the culinary arts program here. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $53,448. That is a strong return on a $10,941 median debt.
New Mexico State University Dona Ana placed #19 among the best values for culinary arts. New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Las Cruces. In-state tuition and fees average $2,322, with out-of-state students paying around $6,360. Students borrow a median of $10,284 to complete the culinary arts program here. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from New Mexico State University Dona Ana generally make around $39,399. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Metro Technology Centers ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value culinary arts schools. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, Metro Technology Centers is a small public university. Typical student debt for culinary arts graduates is $15,833. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Metro Technology Centers generally make around $48,236. That is a strong return on a $15,833 median debt.
Tulsa Technology Center came in at #21 for value in culinary arts this year. Tulsa Technology Center is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Tulsa. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $11,384 in student loans. Culinary Arts graduates of Tulsa Technology Center earn a median of $32,406 early in their careers. Set against $11,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Plains College placed #22 among the best values for culinary arts. Set in the town of Levelland, South Plains College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,733 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,157. Typical student debt for culinary arts graduates is $13,788. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $30,949. That is a strong return on a $13,788 median debt.
Alvin Community College earned the #23 position for value in culinary arts this year. Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Alvin. In-state tuition and fees average $1,906, while out-of-state students pay about $4,402. Students borrow a median of $8,600 to complete the culinary arts program here. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $55,057. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cochise College landed the #24 spot for culinary arts value this year. Located in the city of Sierra Vista, Cochise College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,280 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,120. Students borrow a median of $12,013 to complete the culinary arts program here. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $40,712. Set against $12,013 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texarkana College placed #25 among the best values for culinary arts. Set in the city of Texarkana, Texarkana College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,476, with out-of-state students paying around $5,332. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $11,686 in student loans. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Texarkana College generally make around $19,284. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 48 Best Value Culinary Arts Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in culinary arts:
Narrow Culinary Arts Schools by State
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 48 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 48 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.
