by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2025, College Factual analyzed 28 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Culinary Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 1,605 associate degrees in culinary arts to qualified students.
What's on this page: * Our Methodology
Your choice of culinary arts for getting your associate degree school matters. Important measures of a quality culinary arts program can vary widely even among the top schools. To make it into this list, a school must excel in the following areas.
A school that excels in educating for a particular major and degree level must be a great school overall as well. To take this into account we consider a college's overall Best Colleges ranking which itself looks at a host of different factors like degree completion, educational resources, student body caliber and post-graduation earnings for the school as a whole.
Average early-career salary of those graduating with their associate degree is one indicator we use in our analysis to find the schools that offer the highest-quality education. That is, everyone wants their associate degree to be worth something, and salaries are one measure of determining that.
The metrics below are just some of the other metrics that we use to determine our rankings.
Our full ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best schools for culinary arts students working on their associate degree.
The culinary arts school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we've developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of the Best Culinary Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region.
Learn about the top ranked colleges and universities for culinary arts students seeking a an associate degree.
Sullivan University is one of the best schools in the United States for getting an associate degree in culinary arts. Located in the large city of Louisville, Sullivan University is a private for-profit university with a small student population.
Associate students who receive their degree from the culinary arts program make around $24,292 for their early career.
More information about a associate in culinary arts from Sullivan University
Johnson & Wales University - Charlotte is a good decision for students interested in an associate degree in culinary arts. JWU Charlotte is a small private not-for-profit university located in the city of Charlotte.
Associate recipients from the culinary arts program at Johnson & Wales University - Charlotte make $2,111 above the standard college graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.
More information about a associate in culinary arts from Johnson & Wales University - Charlotte
It's difficult to beat Valencia College if you want to pursue an associate degree in culinary arts. Valencia College is a fairly large public college located in the large city of Orlando.
Associate graduates who receive their degree from the culinary arts program make around $25,227 for their early career.
More information about a associate in culinary arts from Valencia College
ECPI University is a wonderful option for students interested in an associate degree in culinary arts. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, ECPI University is a private for-profit university with a fairly large student population.
Students who graduate with their associate from the culinary arts program report average early career earnings of $23,320.
More information about a associate in culinary arts from ECPI University
Located in the midsize city of Fort Lauderdale, Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population.
Associate recipients from the culinary arts program at Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale earn $2,756 more than the average college graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.
More information about a associate in culinary arts from Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale
Savannah Tech is a small public college located in the city of Savannah.More information about a associate in culinary arts from Savannah Technical College
FSCJ is a very large public college located in the large city of Jacksonville.More information about a associate in culinary arts from Florida State College at Jacksonville
MDC is a very large public college located in the large city of Miami.
Associate recipients from the culinary arts program at Miami Dade College get $5,698 more than the average graduate in this field shortly after graduation.
More information about a associate in culinary arts from Miami Dade College
Wake Technical Community College is a very large public college located in the large suburb of Raleigh.More information about a associate in culinary arts from Wake Technical Community College
A-B Tech is a medium-sized public college located in the city of Asheville.
Associate recipients from the culinary arts major at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College get $7,199 above the average college graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.
More information about a associate in culinary arts from Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community CollegeExplore the best culinary arts schools for a specific state in the Southeast Region .
| State | Colleges | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | 143 | 89 |
| Georgia | 121 | 184 |
| Florida | 121 | 294 |
| North Carolina | 120 | 401 |
| Arkansas | 105 | 53 |
| Tennessee | 102 | 36 |
| Virginia | 97 | 250 |
| West Virginia | 92 | 33 |
| Kentucky | 90 | 109 |
| Louisiana | 80 | 90 |
| South Carolina | 77 | 85 |
| Alabama | 69 | 63 |
One of 4 majors within the Personal & Culinary Services area of study, Culinary Arts has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Cosmetology | 403 |
| Funeral & Mortuary Science | 365 |
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