2027 Best Value Baking & Pastry Arts/Baker/Pastry Chef Schools in the Southeast 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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 47 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 Southeast Region
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
Our analysis ranked Wilkes Community College the best value for a degree in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef in the Southeast Region. 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. Typical student debt for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates is $9,125. 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.
Trident Technical College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef schools. 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. Early-career baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates make about $50,166. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef, landing the #3 spot this year. Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Valdosta. In-state tuition and fees average $3,480, while out-of-state students pay about $6,048. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates carry a median of $10,864 in student loans. Early-career baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates make about $40,452. Set against $10,864 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Piedmont Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,792, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,861 to complete the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program here. 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.
A rank of #5 makes West Georgia Technical College one of the best values for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef. Located in the rural area of Waco, West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,978. Students borrow a median of $12,651 to complete the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program here. Early-career baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates make about $39,922. That is a strong return on a $12,651 median debt.
Pensacola State College placed #6 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. Students from in state pay about $2,361 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,463 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program here. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates of Pensacola State College earn a median of $45,811 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Fayetteville Technical Community College earned the #7 position 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, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $16,909 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Manatee Technical College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef schools. Manatee Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Bradenton. Students borrow a median of $9,726 to complete the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program here. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates of Manatee Technical College earn a median of $27,210 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Columbus Technical College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef schools. Columbus Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Columbus. Students from in state pay about $4,052 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,262. Students borrow a median of $15,845 to complete the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program here. Soon after graduation, baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree recipients from Columbus Technical College generally make around $37,936. That is a strong return on a $15,845 median debt.
Sandhills Community College landed the #10 spot for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef value this year. Set in the rural area of Pinehurst, Sandhills Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,040, with out-of-state students paying around $6,648. Students borrow a median of $9,238 to complete the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program here. Soon after graduation, baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree recipients from Sandhills Community College generally make around $46,492. Set against $9,238 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Georgia Technical College landed the #11 spot for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef value this year. Located in the rural area of Clarkesville, North Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,330 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,898. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates carry a median of $12,279 in student loans. Soon after graduation, baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree recipients from North Georgia Technical College generally make around $17,383. Set against $12,279 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Horry Georgetown Technical College came in at #12 for value in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef this year. Set in the city of Conway, Horry Georgetown Technical College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,518 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,978. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program here. Early-career baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates make about $24,466. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ogeechee Technical College earned the #13 position for value in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef this year. Ogeechee Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Statesboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,388, with out-of-state students paying around $5,956. Students borrow a median of $11,894 to complete the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program here. Soon after graduation, baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree recipients from Ogeechee Technical College generally make around $35,521. Set against $11,894 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Athens Technical College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef schools. Set in the city of Athens, Athens Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,390, compared with $5,958 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program here. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates of Athens Technical College earn a median of $41,631 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Blue Ridge Community And Technical College earned the #15 position for value in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef this year. Blue Ridge Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Martinsburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,752, with out-of-state students paying around $8,808. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates carry a median of $18,402 in student loans. Soon after graduation, baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree recipients from Blue Ridge Community And Technical College generally make around $41,032. Set against $18,402 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gwinnett Technical College earned the #16 position for value in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef this year. Gwinnett Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lawrenceville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,524, while out-of-state students pay about $6,092. Typical student debt for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates is $18,048. Early-career baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates make about $39,288. Set against $18,048 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Savannah Technical College landed the #17 spot for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef value this year. Savannah Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Savannah. Students from in state pay about $3,330 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,898. Typical student debt for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates is $12,843. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates of Savannah Technical College earn a median of $37,386 early in their careers. Set against $12,843 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Daytona State College came in at #18 for value in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef this year. Daytona State College is a large public school located in the city of Daytona Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $3,106, with out-of-state students paying around $11,994. Typical student debt for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates is $12,557. Early-career baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates make about $43,320. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwest Arkansas Community College placed #19 among the best values for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef. Northwest Arkansas Community College is a large public school located in the city of Bentonville. In-state tuition and fees average $3,342, while out-of-state students pay about $5,238. Typical student debt for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates is $12,500. Soon after graduation, baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree recipients from Northwest Arkansas Community College generally make around $26,011. That is a strong return on a $12,500 median debt.
Lanier Technical College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef schools. Lanier Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,980, while out-of-state students pay about $7,190. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates carry a median of $12,278 in student loans. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates of Lanier Technical College earn a median of $37,118 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College landed the #21 spot for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef value this year. Located in the rural area of Perkinston, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,250 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,850. Students borrow a median of $11,653 to complete the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program here. Soon after graduation, baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree recipients from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College generally make around $34,214. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Erwin Technical College landed the #22 spot for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef value this year. Set in the city of Tampa, Erwin Technical College is a small public institution. Students borrow a median of $13,595 to complete the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program here. Early-career baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates make about $32,937. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wake Technical Community College came in at #23 for value in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef this year. Wake Technical Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Raleigh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,254, with out-of-state students paying around $6,862. Students borrow a median of $13,226 to complete the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program here. Soon after graduation, baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree recipients from Wake Technical Community College generally make around $38,673. Set against $13,226 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pierpont Community And Technical College came in at #24 for value in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef this year. Located in the town of Fairmont, Pierpont Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,762 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,660 for out-of-state students. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates carry a median of $16,268 in student loans. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates of Pierpont Community And Technical College earn a median of $26,399 early in their careers. Set against $16,268 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cape Fear Community College landed the #25 spot for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef value this year. Located in the city of Wilmington, Cape Fear Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,748, while out-of-state students pay about $8,892. Students borrow a median of $12,388 to complete the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program here. Early-career baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates make about $42,889. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 47 Best Value Baking & Pastry Arts/Baker/Pastry Chef Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef:
Narrow Baking & Pastry Arts/Baker/Pastry Chef Schools by State
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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 · 47 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 47 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.