2027 Best Value Baking & Pastry Arts/Baker/Pastry Chef Schools

[Baking & Pastry Arts/Baker/Pastry Chef](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/culinary-arts/baking-and-pastry-arts-baker-pastry-chef/) 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 171 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef students.
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Finding the Best Value Baking & Pastry Arts/Baker/Pastry Chef School for You
The baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we built our Best Value Baking & Pastry Arts/Baker/Pastry Chef Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
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2027 Best Value Baking & Pastry Arts/Baker/Pastry Chef Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Baking & Pastry Arts/Baker/Pastry Chef Schools
El Centro College tops our 2027 list of the best value baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef schools in the United States. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Typical student debt for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates is $9,218. Early-career baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates make about $31,127. Set against $9,218 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Joliet Junior College one of the best values for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,530, compared with $13,800 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates is $16,375. Soon after graduation, baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $28,252. Set against $16,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Trident Technical College one of the best values for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef. Set in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,546, with out-of-state students paying around $8,620. Typical student debt for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates is $15,000. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates of Trident Technical College earn a median of $50,166 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt.
Wilkes Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,572 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,716. Students borrow a median of $9,125 to complete the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program here. Soon after graduation, baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree recipients from Wilkes Community College generally make around $36,341. That is a strong return on a $9,125 median debt.
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Valdosta, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,480 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,048. Students borrow a median of $10,864 to complete the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program here. Soon after graduation, baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree recipients from Wiregrass Georgia Technical College generally make around $40,452. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Piedmont Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef schools. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates carry a median of $11,861 in student loans. Soon after graduation, baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $27,127. Set against $11,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pensacola State College came in at #7 for value in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef this year. Pensacola State College is a large public school located in the city of Pensacola. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,361, while out-of-state students pay about $9,463. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates of Pensacola State College earn a median of $45,811 early in their careers. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Schoolcraft College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef schools. Schoolcraft College is a large public school located in the city of Livonia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,799, with out-of-state students paying around $6,501. Students borrow a median of $15,750 to complete the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program here. Soon after graduation, baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree recipients from Schoolcraft College generally make around $27,248. Set against $15,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College landed the #9 spot for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef value this year. Set in the suburb of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,144, compared with $9,094 for out-of-state students. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates carry a median of $14,382 in student loans. Early-career baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates make about $26,843. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suffolk County Community College landed the #10 spot for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef value this year. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,630 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates carry a median of $11,246 in student loans. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $35,667 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moraine Valley Community College came in at #11 for value in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef this year. Moraine Valley Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Palos Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,822, with out-of-state students paying around $9,846. Typical student debt for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates is $11,149. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates of Moraine Valley Community College earn a median of $43,844 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,149 median debt.
Richland Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef schools. Richland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Decatur. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,680, with out-of-state students paying around $17,070. Typical student debt for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates is $9,562. Early-career baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates make about $46,233. Set against $9,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College came in at #13 for value in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,517, with out-of-state students paying around $10,044. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates carry a median of $12,145 in student loans. Early-career baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates make about $36,330. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuyahoga Community College District came in at #14 for value in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,249, with out-of-state students paying around $7,249. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates carry a median of $14,636 in student loans. Early-career baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates make about $39,394. That is a strong return on a $14,636 median debt.
Fayetteville Technical Community College landed the #15 spot for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef value this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,628, with out-of-state students paying around $8,772. Typical student debt for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates is $16,909. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates of Fayetteville Technical Community College earn a median of $40,584 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Texas College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef 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, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates carry a median of $6,868 in student loans. Early-career baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates make about $24,084. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pima Community College landed the #17 spot for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef value this year. Located in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,442, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. Typical student debt for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates is $10,655. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $40,977 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Georgia Technical College came in at #18 for value in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef this year. Located in the rural area of Waco, West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,410, compared with $5,978 for out-of-state students. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates carry a median of $12,651 in student loans. Early-career baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates make about $39,922. Set against $12,651 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Macomb Community College earned the #19 position for value in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef this year. Macomb Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Warren. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,862 to complete the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program here. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates of Macomb Community College earn a median of $20,701 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Henry Ford Community College placed #20 among the best values for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef. Set in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,568 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,816 for out-of-state students. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates carry a median of $19,144 in student loans. Early-career baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates make about $36,247. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Metropolitan Community College Area placed #21 among the best values for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef. Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public school located in the city of Omaha. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,375, with out-of-state students paying around $4,950. Students borrow a median of $12,799 to complete the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program here. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates of Metropolitan Community College Area earn a median of $45,583 early in their careers. Set against $12,799 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Spokane Community College earned the #22 position for value in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef this year. Located in the city of Spokane, Spokane Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,461 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,486 to complete the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program here. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates of Spokane Community College earn a median of $23,529 early in their careers. Set against $16,486 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sandhills Community College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef schools. Located in the rural area of Pinehurst, Sandhills Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,040 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,648 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates is $9,238. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates of Sandhills Community College earn a median of $46,492 early in their careers. Set against $9,238 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Del Mar College landed the #24 spot for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef value this year. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,500, with out-of-state students paying around $6,050. Students borrow a median of $7,476 to complete the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program here. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates of Del Mar College earn a median of $40,661 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,476 median debt.
Central New Mexico Community College landed the #25 spot for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef value this year. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Typical student debt for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates is $10,112. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $23,139 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Baking & Pastry Arts/Baker/Pastry Chef Schools
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 171 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 171 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.