2027 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/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 112 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef schools.
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2027 Best Value Baking & Pastry Arts/Baker/Pastry Chef Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Baking & Pastry Arts/Baker/Pastry Chef Schools
Our analysis ranked Joliet Junior College the best value for a degree in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef in the United States. 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, compared with $13,800 for out-of-state students. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates carry a median of $16,375 in student loans. 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.
El Centro College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,730 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,218 to complete the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program here. Early-career baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates make about $31,770. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Trident Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,546 in tuition and fees, 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. 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 Wilkes Community College, which ranked #4. Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wilkesboro. Students from in state pay about $2,572 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,716. Students borrow a median of $9,125 to complete the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program here. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates of Wilkes Community College earn a median of $36,341 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Central Piedmont Community College one of the best values for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,792, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef schools. Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Kalamazoo. Students from in state pay about $4,144 in tuition and fees, 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. Set against $14,382 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suffolk County Community College landed the #7 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. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630, 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. Early-career baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates make about $35,667. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Schoolcraft College landed the #8 spot for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef value this year. Set in the city of Livonia, Schoolcraft College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,799, compared with $6,501 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,750 to complete the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program here. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates of Schoolcraft College earn a median of $27,248 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,750 median debt.
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College earned the #9 position for value in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef this year. Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,517, while out-of-state students pay about $10,044. Students borrow a median of $12,145 to complete the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program here. Soon after graduation, baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree recipients from Cincinnati State Technical And Community College generally make around $36,330. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moraine Valley Community College landed the #10 spot for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef value 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. Students borrow a median of $11,149 to complete the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program here. Soon after graduation, baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree recipients from Moraine Valley Community College generally make around $43,844. Set against $11,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Texas College earned the #11 position for value in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef this year. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Typical student debt for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates is $6,868. Soon after graduation, baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $24,084. Set against $6,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuyahoga Community College District came in at #12 for value in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef this year. Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Cleveland. In-state tuition and fees average $3,249, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College earned the #13 position for value in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef this year. Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Valdosta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,480, compared with $6,048 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,864 to complete the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program here. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates of Wiregrass Georgia Technical College earn a median of $40,452 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,864 median debt.
Macomb Community College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef schools. Set in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Students borrow a median of $9,862 to complete the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program here. Early-career baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates make about $20,701. That is a strong return on a $9,862 median debt.
Metropolitan Community College Area placed #15 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. In-state tuition and fees average $3,375, while out-of-state students pay about $4,950. Students borrow a median of $12,799 to complete the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program here. Soon after graduation, baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Area generally make around $45,583. That is a strong return on a $12,799 median debt.
Fayetteville Technical Community College came in at #16 for value in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef this year. Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. In-state tuition and fees average $2,628, while out-of-state students pay about $8,772. Students borrow a median of $16,909 to complete the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program here. Early-career baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates make about $40,584. That is a strong return on a $16,909 median debt.
Spokane Community College landed the #17 spot for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef value this year. Spokane Community College is a large public school located in the city of Spokane. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,461, with out-of-state students paying around $6,612. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates carry a median of $16,486 in student loans. Early-career baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates make about $23,529. Set against $16,486 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sandhills Community College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef schools. Set in the rural area of Pinehurst, Sandhills Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,040, compared with $6,648 for out-of-state students. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates carry a median of $9,238 in student loans. Soon after graduation, baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree recipients from Sandhills Community College generally make around $46,492. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central New Mexico Community College placed #19 among the best values for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. In-state tuition and fees average $2,060, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Early-career baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates make about $23,139. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Del Mar College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef schools. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,500, compared with $6,050 for out-of-state students. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates carry a median of $7,476 in student loans. Early-career baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates make about $40,661. That is a strong return on a $7,476 median debt.
Seattle Community College South Campus placed #21 among the best values for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle Community College South Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,208, with out-of-state students paying around $5,796. Median earnings reach $44,486 ten years out.
Horry Georgetown Technical College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef schools. Located in the city of Conway, Horry Georgetown Technical College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,518 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,978. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program here. Soon after graduation, baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree recipients from Horry Georgetown Technical College generally make around $24,466. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Austin Community College District ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef schools. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Typical student debt for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates is $14,519. Soon after graduation, baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $44,895. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Philips College came in at #24 for value in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, St Philips College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates carry a median of $15,653 in student loans. Soon after graduation, baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree recipients from St Philips College generally make around $45,185. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Elgin Community College placed #25 among the best values for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $9,516. Students borrow a median of $7,727 to complete the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program here. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates of Elgin Community College earn a median of $43,975 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Baking & Pastry Arts/Baker/Pastry Chef Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef value ranking:
Other Baking & Pastry Arts/Baker/Pastry Chef Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Baking & Pastry Arts/Baker/Pastry Chef rankings across degree levels:
View All Baking & Pastry Arts/Baker/Pastry Chef Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 112 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 112 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.
