2026 Best Value Baking & Pastry Arts/Baker/Pastry Chef Associate’s Degree Schools
[Baking & Pastry Arts/Baker/Pastry Chef](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/culinary-arts/baking-and-pastry-arts-baker-pastry-chef/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 209 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef students.
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2026 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
Suffolk County Community College earned the #1 spot for value among baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef schools in the United States. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,630 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Typical student debt for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates is $11,246. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $35,667 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,246 median debt.
Clover Park Technical College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef schools. Located in the city of Lakewood, Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,634. Typical student debt for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates is $15,154. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates of Clover Park Technical College earn a median of $42,209 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,154 median debt.
El Centro College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef schools. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Students borrow a median of $9,218 to complete the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program here. Soon after graduation, baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $31,770. That is a strong return on a $9,218 median debt.
Central Piedmont Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef schools. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Students from in state pay about $2,792 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Typical student debt for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates is $11,861. Early-career baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates make about $27,127. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef will find it at Moraine Valley Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public university. 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. Set against $11,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Trident Technical College earned the #6 position for value in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef this year. Trident Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Charleston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,546, with out-of-state students paying around $8,620. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree recipients from Trident Technical College generally make around $50,166. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef schools. Located in the suburb of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,144 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,094. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates carry a median of $14,382 in student loans. Soon after graduation, baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree recipients from Kalamazoo Valley Community College generally make around $26,843. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pensacola State College placed #8 among the best values for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef. Located in the city of Pensacola, Pensacola State College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,361, compared with $9,463 for out-of-state students. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Early-career baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates make about $45,811. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuyahoga Community College District ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $7,249. Students borrow a median of $14,636 to complete the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program here. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates of Cuyahoga Community College District earn a median of $39,394 early in their careers. Set against $14,636 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central New Mexico Community College placed #10 among the best values for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,060, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program here. Soon after graduation, baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $23,139. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.
South Texas College landed the #11 spot for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef value this year. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Typical student debt for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates is $6,868. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $24,084 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,868 median debt.
Renton Technical College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef schools. Located in the city of Renton, Renton Technical College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,330, compared with $7,768 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,582 to complete the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program here. Early-career baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates make about $80,411. That is a strong return on a $18,582 median debt.
Horry Georgetown Technical College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef schools. Located in the city of Conway, Horry Georgetown Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,518 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,978. Typical student debt for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates is $19,500. Early-career baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates make about $24,466. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt.
Triton College placed #14 among the best values for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef. Triton College is a large public school located in the suburb of River Grove. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,070, with out-of-state students paying around $15,330. Typical student debt for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates is $12,994. Soon after graduation, baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree recipients from Triton College generally make around $43,278. That is a strong return on a $12,994 median debt.
Bellingham Technical College came in at #15 for value in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef this year. Set in the city of Bellingham, Bellingham Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,431 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,809. Median earnings reach $49,748 ten years out.
Del Mar College came in at #16 for value in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef this year. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,500 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,050. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates carry a median of $7,476 in student loans. Soon after graduation, baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree recipients from Del Mar College generally make around $40,661. That is a strong return on a $7,476 median debt.
Henry Ford Community College placed #17 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,568, 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. Set against $19,144 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Richland Community College placed #18 among the best values for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef. Located in the city of Decatur, Richland Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,680 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,070 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,562 to complete the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program here. Early-career baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates make about $46,233. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwestern Michigan College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef schools. Set in the city of Traverse City, Northwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,860 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,476. Typical student debt for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates is $14,199. Soon after graduation, baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree recipients from Northwestern Michigan College generally make around $26,586. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakland Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef schools. Set in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,120 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,560 for out-of-state students. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates carry a median of $15,865 in student loans. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates of Oakland Community College earn a median of $43,205 early in their careers. Set against $15,865 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Schoolcraft College ranked #21 on our 2026 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,799, while out-of-state students pay about $6,501. Typical student debt for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates is $15,750. Soon after graduation, baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree recipients from Schoolcraft College generally make around $27,248. That is a strong return on a $15,750 median debt.
St Philips College earned the #22 position for value in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef this year. St Philips College is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. In-state tuition and fees average $3,412, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Students borrow a median of $15,653 to complete the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program here. Soon after graduation, baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree recipients from St Philips College generally make around $45,185. Set against $15,653 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Joliet Junior College came in at #23 for value in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef this year. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,530, while out-of-state students pay about $13,800. Students borrow a median of $16,375 to complete the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program here. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $28,252 early in their careers. Set against $16,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Elgin Community College came in at #24 for value in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef this year. Located in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,252 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,516. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates carry a median of $7,727 in student loans. Early-career baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates make about $43,975. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Spokane Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef schools. Located in the city of Spokane, Spokane Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,461, while out-of-state students pay about $6,612. 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. That is a strong return on a $16,486 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Baking & Pastry Arts/Baker/Pastry Chef Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef this year:
Other Baking & Pastry Arts/Baker/Pastry Chef Degree Levels
Explore the best-value baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef schools at other degree levels:
View All Baking & Pastry Arts/Baker/Pastry Chef Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 209 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 36 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.
