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2022 Most Popular Associate Degree Colleges for Culinary Arts in Illinois

17 Colleges in Illinois
294 Associate Degrees
$24,043 Avg Early-Career Salary
Ranked #16 in popularity, culinary arts is one of the most sought-after associate degree programs in the nation. So, there are lots of possibilities to explore when you're trying to determine where you want to get your degree.

In 2022, College Factual analyzed 17 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Most Popular Associate Degree Colleges for Culinary Arts in Illinois ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 294 associate degrees in culinary arts during the 2019-2020 academic year.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Other Rankings

Choosing a Great Culinary Arts School for Your Associate Degree

Most Popular Associate Degree Colleges for Culinary Arts in Illinois Your choice of school for getting your associate degree in culinary arts matters. We created our Most Popular Associate Degree Colleges for Culinary Arts in Illinois ranking to make it a little easier to choose the right one for you.

While being high in popularity does not always mean a school has a quality culinary arts program, it is a sign that a large number of students choose the school. This may be due to it being a great value, it offering a stellar educational experience, or the subject is a major focus of the school.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Bachelor's Degrees in Culinary Arts
Overall Popularity in Culinary Arts

This ranking is just one of the many we have created. First of all, if you are interested in other degree levels, you may want to take a look at one of the rankings highlighted above. Also, if you are interested in attending school in a specific part of the country, see our rankings by location. On top of that, you can visit our other rankings for culinary arts.


 

The following list ranks the most popular colleges and universities for pursuing an associate degree in culinary arts.

10 Most Well Attended Schools for Culinary Arts Students Working on Their Associate

1
60 Annual Associate Degrees
#1 Best Quality In IL
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type

Any student pursuing a degree in an associate degree in culinary arts needs to take a look at National Louis University. Located in the city of Chicago, NLU is a private not-for-profit university with a moderately-sized student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for associate degrees in culinary arts in Illinois.

There were approximately 60 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at NLU in the most recent year we have data available.

Those culinary arts students who get their associate degree from National Louis University receive $4,657 more than the typical culinary arts grad.

More information about a associate in culinary arts from National Louis University

2
58 Annual Associate Degrees
#2 Best Quality In IL
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type

Joliet Junior College is a popular option for individuals pursuing an associate degree in culinary arts. Located in the large suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a public college with a large student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for associate degrees in culinary arts in Illinois.

There were roughly 58 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Joliet Junior College in the most recent data year.

More information about a associate in culinary arts from Joliet Junior College

3
COD crest
College of DuPage
Glen Ellyn, IL
21 Annual Associate Degrees
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type

College of DuPage is a popular option for individuals interested in an associate degree in culinary arts. COD is a very large public college located in the large suburb of Glen Ellyn.

There were about 21 culinary arts individuals who graduated with this degree at COD in the most recent data year.

More information about a associate in culinary arts from College of DuPage

4
20 Annual Associate Degrees
#4 Best Quality In IL
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type

College of Lake County is one of the most popular schools in the United States for getting an associate degree in culinary arts. College of Lake County is a large public college located in the suburb of Grayslake. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #4 in quality for associate degrees in culinary arts in Illinois.

There were approximately 20 culinary arts individuals who graduated with this degree at College of Lake County in the most recent year we have data available.

Associate students who receive their degree from the culinary arts program make about $23,200 in the first couple years of their career.

More information about a associate in culinary arts from College of Lake County

5
18 Annual Associate Degrees
#3 Best Quality In IL
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type

Located in the city of Elgin, ECC is a public college with a medium-sized student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #3 in quality for associate degrees in culinary arts in Illinois.

There were roughly 18 culinary arts individuals who graduated with this degree at ECC in the most recent year we have data available.

After graduation, culinary arts associate recipients generally make about $21,100 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a associate in culinary arts from Elgin Community College

6
17 Annual Associate Degrees
#5 Best Quality In IL
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type

MVCC is a large public college located in the suburb of Palos Hills. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #5 in quality for associate degrees in culinary arts in Illinois.

There were approximately 17 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at MVCC in the most recent data year.

More information about a associate in culinary arts from Moraine Valley Community College

7
16 Annual Associate Degrees
#11 Best Quality In IL
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type

Located in the city of Chicago, Kennedy-King College is a public college with a small student population.

There were about 16 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Kennedy-King College in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a associate in culinary arts from City Colleges of Chicago - Kennedy-King College

8
Triton College crest
Triton College
River Grove, IL
14 Annual Associate Degrees
#10 Best Quality In IL
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type

Triton College is a moderately-sized public college located in the suburb of River Grove.

There were about 14 culinary arts individuals who graduated with this degree at Triton College in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a associate in culinary arts from Triton College

9
13 Annual Associate Degrees
#9 Best Quality In IL
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type

Richland Community College is a small public college located in the city of Decatur. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #9 in quality for associate degrees in culinary arts in Illinois.

There were approximately 13 culinary arts individuals who graduated with this degree at Richland Community College in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a associate in culinary arts from Richland Community College

10
10 Annual Associate Degrees
#6 Best Quality In IL
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type

SWIC is a medium-sized public college located in the suburb of Belleville. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #6 in quality for associate degrees in culinary arts in Illinois.

There were approximately 10 culinary arts individuals who graduated with this degree at SWIC in the most recent year we have data available.

Soon after graduation, culinary arts associate recipients typically make about $17,600 in their early careers.

More information about a associate in culinary arts from Southwestern Illinois College

Best Culinary Arts Colleges in the Great Lakes Region

Explore all the Most Popular Culinary Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Area or other specific states within that region.

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Ohio 190 302
Michigan 187 339
Indiana 131 22
Wisconsin 112 163

View All Rankings >

One of 3 majors within the Personal & Culinary Services area of study, Culinary Arts has other similar majors worth exploring.

Culinary Arts Concentrations

Major Annual Graduates
Culinary Arts/Chef Training 190
Baking & Pastry Arts/Baker/Pastry Chef 58
Restaurant, Culinary, & Catering Management/Manager 42
General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts 4

Related Major Annual Graduates
Funeral & Mortuary Science 63
Cosmetology 14

Notes and References

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