2027 Best Value Baking & Pastry Arts/Baker/Pastry Chef Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[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.
College Factual analyzed 32 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Baking & Pastry Arts/Baker/Pastry Chef Schools in the Great Lakes Region
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
Leading the list is Joliet Junior College, our #1 best value for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef in the Great Lakes Region. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,530, compared with $13,800 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,375 to complete the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program here. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Schoolcraft College earned it the #2 place for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef. 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, 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. 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 Macomb Community College, which ranked #3. Macomb Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Warren. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates of Macomb Community College earn a median of $20,701 early in their careers. Set against $9,862 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Henry Ford Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef, landing the #4 spot this year. 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. Soon after graduation, baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree recipients from Henry Ford Community College generally make around $36,247. Set against $19,144 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef will find it at Kalamazoo Valley Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,144, compared with $9,094 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,382 to complete the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program here. 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.
Moraine Valley Community College came in at #6 for value in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef this year. 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, compared with $9,846 for out-of-state students. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates carry a median of $11,149 in student loans. 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.
Richland Community College came in at #7 for value in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef this year. Located in the city of Decatur, Richland Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,680, with out-of-state students paying around $17,070. Students borrow a median of $9,562 to complete the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program here. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates of Richland Community College earn a median of $46,233 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuyahoga Community College District landed the #8 spot for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef value this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,249, compared with $7,249 for out-of-state students. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates carry a median of $14,636 in student loans. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates of Cuyahoga Community College District earn a median of $39,394 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,636 median debt.
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef schools. Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. Students from in state pay about $5,517 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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.
Elgin Community College came in at #10 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. In-state tuition and fees average $3,252, 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. 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.
Oakland Community College placed #11 among the best values for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef. Set in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,120, with out-of-state students paying around $5,560. Students borrow a median of $15,865 to complete the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program here. Early-career baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates make about $43,205. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sinclair Community College earned the #12 position for value in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef this year. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates is $15,834. Soon after graduation, baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $28,037. Set against $15,834 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwestern Michigan College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef schools. Located in the city of Traverse City, Northwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,860, with out-of-state students paying around $13,476. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates carry a median of $14,199 in student loans. 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.
Mott Community College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef schools. Set in the city of Flint, Mott Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,845, with out-of-state students paying around $11,460. Students borrow a median of $20,645 to complete the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program here. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates of Mott Community College earn a median of $37,989 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mchenry County College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef schools. Mchenry County College is a large public school located in the rural area of Crystal Lake. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,162, compared with $14,399 for out-of-state students. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates carry a median of $7,440 in student loans. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates of Mchenry County College earn a median of $24,177 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,440 median debt.
College Of Dupage came in at #16 for value in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef this year. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $12,750. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates carry a median of $12,492 in student loans. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates of College Of Dupage earn a median of $26,952 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,492 median debt.
Ivy Tech Community College placed #17 among the best values for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,154, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates carry a median of $11,889 in student loans. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $40,734 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Lake County placed #18 among the best values for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef. College Of Lake County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Grayslake. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,788, while out-of-state students pay about $14,400. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates carry a median of $9,785 in student loans. Early-career baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates make about $50,314. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grand Rapids Community College landed the #19 spot for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef value this year. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,179 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,219. Students borrow a median of $13,625 to complete the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program here. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates of Grand Rapids Community College earn a median of $26,052 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,625 median debt.
Columbus State Community College placed #20 among the best values for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef. Columbus State Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,488, while out-of-state students pay about $11,224. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates carry a median of $9,041 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,435 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $9,041 median debt.
Milwaukee Area Technical College earned the #21 position for value in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef this year. Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,184, while out-of-state students pay about $7,427. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates carry a median of $19,386 in student loans. Soon after graduation, baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree recipients from Milwaukee Area Technical College generally make around $25,304. Set against $19,386 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lakeshore Technical College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef schools. Lakeshore Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Cleveland. Students from in state pay about $4,844 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,087 for out-of-state students. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates carry a median of $11,582 in student loans. Soon after graduation, baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree recipients from Lakeshore Technical College generally make around $41,252. Set against $11,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College earned the #23 position for value in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef this year. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Typical student debt for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates is $7,986. Early-career baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates make about $19,447. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Waukesha County Technical College came in at #24 for value in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef this year. Located in the suburb of Pewaukee, Waukesha County Technical College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,803, while out-of-state students pay about $7,046. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates carry a median of $16,595 in student loans. Soon after graduation, baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree recipients from Waukesha County Technical College generally make around $46,398. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fox Valley Technical College earned the #25 position for value in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef this year. Located in the suburb of Appleton, Fox Valley Technical College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,040 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,283 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,234 to complete the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program here. Soon after graduation, baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree recipients from Fox Valley Technical College generally make around $34,736. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 32 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:
Narrow Baking & Pastry Arts/Baker/Pastry Chef Schools by State
More Baking & Pastry Arts/Baker/Pastry Chef Rankings
View All Baking & Pastry Arts/Baker/Pastry Chef Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 32 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 32 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.
