2023 Best Culinary Arts Associate Degree Colleges for Veterans in the Southwest Region
17
Ranked Colleges
820
Degrees Awarded
$24,302
Avg Salary
When it comes to choosing a college, veterans have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual has developed its “Most Veteran Friendly in the Southwest Region for Culinary Arts for an Associate” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.
In 2020-2021, 19,806 people earned their degree in culinary arts, making the major the 97th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, culinary arts graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $24,855 and had an average of $17,765 in loans still to pay off.
Across the Southwest region, there were 2,247 culinary arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $24,361 and $20,631 respectively. At the associate degree level specifically, there were 820 culinary arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $35,810 and $18,681 respectively.
This year’s “Most Veteran Friendly in the Southwest Region for Culinary Arts for an Associate” ranking looked at 17 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in culinary arts. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent culinary arts programs, but they also offer a lot of support to veterans and active service members.
Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the culinary arts program at the school, veteran affordability, and veteran population. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
One Size Does Not Fit All
When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Most Veteran Friendly in the Southwest Region for Culinary Arts for an Associate” list to help you make the college decision.
One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.
Most Veteran Friendly in the Southwest Region for Culinary Arts for an Associate
The following schools top our list of the Best “Most Veteran Friendly in the Southwest Region for Culinary Arts for an Associate”.
Top 17 Best Culinary Arts Associate Degree Colleges for Veterans in the Southwest Region
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Houston Community College. The school came in at #1 for the Most Veteran Friendly in the Southwest Region for Culinary Arts for an Associate. Houston Community College is a large school located in Houston, Texas that handed out 45 associates’s culinary arts degrees in 2020-2021.
Houston Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Culinary Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list.Of the 48,329 students enrolled at Houston Community College, 1,421 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 783 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $1,632. On top of their other funding sources, 0 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
[Read full report on veteran student life at Houston Community College]](/colleges/houston-community-college/student-life/veterans/)
Out of the 17 schools in the Most Veteran Friendly in the Southwest Region for Culinary Arts for an Associate that were part of this year’s ranking, St Philip’s College landed the #2 spot on the list. St Philip’s College is a fairly large public school situated in San Antonio, Texas. It awarded 36 associates’s culinary arts degrees in 2020-2021.
St Philip’s College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Culinary Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list.Of the 12,696 students enrolled at St Philip’s College, 1,363 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 1,105 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $1,089. To help with additional expenses, 0 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
[Read full report on veteran student life at St Philip’s College]](/colleges/st-philips-college/student-life/veterans/)
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend The Art Institute of Dallas. The school came in at #3 for the Most Veteran Friendly in the Southwest Region for Culinary Arts for an Associate. Dallas, Texas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out associates’s culinary arts degrees to 11 students in 2020-2021.
The Art Institute of Dallas not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Culinary Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list.Of the 493 students enrolled at The Art Institute of Dallas, 122 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 94 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $14,137. On top of their other funding sources, 17 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
Full The Art Institute of Dallas Veteran Student Life Report
Out of the 17 schools in the Most Veteran Friendly in the Southwest Region for Culinary Arts for an Associate that were part of this year’s ranking, Austin Community College District landed the #4 spot on the list. This large school is located in Austin, Texas, and it awarded 12 associates’s culinary arts degrees in 2020-2021.
Austin Community College District did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Culinary Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list.According to our most recent data, Austin Community College District supports 39,896 students, and 2,473 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 59 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $735. To help with additional expenses, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
[Read full report on veteran student life at Austin Community College District]](/colleges/austin-community-college-district/student-life/veterans/)
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Southwest Region for Culinary Arts for an Associate list. OSU Institute of Technology is a small school located in Okmulgee, Oklahoma that handed out 24 associates’s culinary arts degrees in 2020-2021.
OSU Institute of Technology also made our “Best Culinary Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #11.Of the 2,349 students enrolled at Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology, 174 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 85 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $4,592. To help with additional expenses, 0 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
Full OSU Institute of Technology Veteran Student Life Report
Lee College ranked #6 on this year’s Most Veteran Friendly in the Southwest Region for Culinary Arts for an Associate list. This medium-sized school is located in Baytown, Texas, and it awarded 19 associates’s culinary arts degrees in 2020-2021.
Lee College also made our “Best Culinary Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #5.According to our most recent data, Lee College supports 7,487 students, and 169 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 97 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $1,936. To help with additional expenses, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
Full Lee College Veteran Student Life Report
San Jacinto Community College landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Southwest Region for Culinary Arts for an Associate ranking. San Jacinto Community College is a large school located in Pasadena, Texas that handed out 20 associates’s culinary arts degrees in 2020-2021.
San Jacinto College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Culinary Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list.Among the 31,110 students enrolled at San Jacinto Community College, 862 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 635 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $1,772. During this same period, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
Read More…
Central New Mexico Community College ranked #8 on this year’s Most Veteran Friendly in the Southwest Region for Culinary Arts for an Associate list. CNM is located in Albuquerque, New Mexico and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 17 associates’s culinary arts degrees to qualified students.
CNM also took the #8 spot in our “Best Culinary Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking.Of the 21,398 students enrolled at Central New Mexico Community College, 839 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 390 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $1,171. In addition to receiving other benefits, 0 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
Read More…
With a ranking of #9, Pima Community College did quite well on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Southwest Region for Culinary Arts for an Associate list. Pima Community College is located in Tucson, Arizona and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 15 associates’s culinary arts degrees to qualified students.
Pima County Community College District not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Culinary Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list.Our most recent data shows that 853 of the 15,544 students enrolled at Pima Community College were GI Bill® students, of which 426 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $1,036. During this same period, 0 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Pima Community College offers credit for military training for eligible students.
[Read full report on veteran student life at Pima Community College]](/colleges/pima-community-college/student-life/veterans/)
Tarrant County College District ranked #10 on this year’s Most Veteran Friendly in the Southwest Region for Culinary Arts for an Associate list. Tarrant County College is a large public school situated in Fort Worth, Texas. It awarded 14 associates’s culinary arts degrees in 2020-2021.
Tarrant County College also took the #14 spot in our “Best Culinary Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking.Among the 43,000 students enrolled at Tarrant County College, 1,862 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 1,172 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $1,319. To help with additional expenses, 0 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
Read More…
El Paso Community College landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Southwest Region for Culinary Arts for an Associate ranking. El Paso Community College is located in El Paso, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 23 associates’s culinary arts degrees to qualified students.
El Paso Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Culinary Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list.Our most recent data shows that 1,324 of the 26,034 students enrolled at El Paso Community College were GI Bill® students, of which 511 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $1,459. To help with additional expenses, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
Read More…
Grayson College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Most Veteran Friendly in the Southwest Region for Culinary Arts for an Associate ranking. Grayson College is located in Denison, Texas and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 13 associates’s culinary arts degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our southwest region associate degree vets studying culinary arts list, Grayson College has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Culinary Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking.Among the 4,066 students enrolled at Grayson College, 133 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 78 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $1,755. In addition to receiving other benefits, 0 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
Full Grayson College Veteran Student Life Report
With a ranking of #13, The Art Institute of Houston did quite well on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Southwest Region for Culinary Arts for an Associate list. The Art Institute of Houston is a private for-profit institution located in Houston, Texas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 19 associates’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Ai Houston did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Culinary Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list.Among the 511 students enrolled at Ai Houston, 128 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 88 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $13,531. In addition to receiving other benefits, 8 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
Read More…
With a ranking of #14, Kilgore College did quite well on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Southwest Region for Culinary Arts for an Associate list. Kilgore College is a medium-sized public school situated in Kilgore, Texas. It awarded 6 associates’s culinary arts degrees in 2020-2021.
Kilgore College also took the #17 spot in our “Best Culinary Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking.Of the 5,100 students enrolled at Kilgore College, 140 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 74 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $2,845. During this same period, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Kilgore College offers credit for military training for eligible students.
Full Kilgore College Veteran Student Life Report
With a ranking of #15, The Art Institute of San Antonio did quite well on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Southwest Region for Culinary Arts for an Associate list. The Art Institute of San Antonio is a private for-profit institution located in San Antonio, Texas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 11 associates’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Ai San Antonio, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Culinary Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking.Among the 395 students enrolled at Ai San Antonio, 201 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 159 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $15,094. On top of their other funding sources, 20 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
Full The Art Institute of San Antonio Veteran Student Life Report
The Art Institute of Austin landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Southwest Region for Culinary Arts for an Associate ranking. Ai Austin is a small school located in Austin, Texas that handed out 6 associates’s culinary arts degrees in 2020-2021.
Ai Austin also took the #20 spot in our “Best Culinary Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking.Of the 236 students enrolled at Ai Austin, 130 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 109 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $15,465. To help with additional expenses, 12 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Ai Austin does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
Full The Art Institute of Austin Veteran Student Life Report
With a ranking of #17, Culinary Institute Inc did quite well on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Southwest Region for Culinary Arts for an Associate list. Culinary Institute LeNotre is a small school located in Houston, Texas that handed out 55 associates’s culinary arts degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Culinary Institute LeNotre, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Culinary Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking.Among the 382 students enrolled at Culinary Institute Inc, 57 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 43 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $12,995. On top of their other funding sources, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
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Notes and References
References
- 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).
- Veteran-specific data can be found at the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
Read more about our data sources and methodologies
- *Avg Salary and Avg 4-Year Grad Rate are for the top schools only.
- **GI Bill® student total includes all chapters of the GI Bill® program (e.g., Post-9/11, Montgomery GI Bill, Reserve Education Assistance Program, and Veteran Readiness and Employment)
- Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.
Credits
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