2027 Best Value Baking & Pastry Arts/Baker/Pastry Chef Schools in the Southwest 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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 19 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Baking & Pastry Arts/Baker/Pastry Chef Schools in the Southwest 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
For return on investment in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef, no school beat El Centro College 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. Soon after graduation, baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $31,127. Set against $9,218 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Texas College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef schools. 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, 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. That is a strong return on a $6,868 median debt.
El Paso Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef schools. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,274 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates carry a median of $8,542 in student loans. Early-career baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates make about $29,086. Set against $8,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pima Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef schools. Located in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,442, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates carry a median of $10,655 in student loans. Soon after graduation, baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree recipients from Pima Community College generally make around $40,977. That is a strong return on a $10,655 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Del Mar College earned it the #5 place for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef. 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, compared with $6,050 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates is $7,476. Early-career baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates make about $40,661. Set against $7,476 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Philips College came in at #6 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. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates of St Philips College earn a median of $45,185 early in their careers. Set against $15,653 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central New Mexico Community College earned the #7 position for value in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,060, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Arizona College landed the #8 spot for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef value this year. Located in the rural area of Coolidge, Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,250, while out-of-state students pay about $4,500. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates carry a median of $11,635 in student loans. Early-career baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates make about $48,826. Set against $11,635 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Houston Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef schools. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,040, while out-of-state students pay about $5,460. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates carry a median of $26,217 in student loans. Soon after graduation, baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree recipients from Houston Community College generally make around $26,419. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Austin Community College District earned the #10 position for value in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef this year. 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. That is a strong return on a $14,519 median debt.
New Mexico State University Dona Ana landed the #11 spot for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef value this year. Located in the city of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,322, compared with $6,360 for out-of-state students. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates carry a median of $10,284 in student loans. Early-career baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates make about $39,399. That is a strong return on a $10,284 median debt.
Odessa College earned the #12 position for value in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef this year. Odessa College is a large public school located in the city of Odessa. In-state tuition and fees average $2,688, compared with $4,926 for out-of-state students. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates carry a median of $9,087 in student loans. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates of Odessa College earn a median of $47,856 early in their careers. Set against $9,087 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cochise College placed #13 among the best values for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef. Set in the city of Sierra Vista, Cochise College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,280, while out-of-state students pay about $6,120. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates carry a median of $12,013 in student loans. Soon after graduation, baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree recipients from Cochise College generally make around $40,712. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Collin County Community College District ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef schools. Collin County Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of McKinney. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,014, compared with $6,064 for out-of-state students. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates carry a median of $9,716 in student loans. Soon after graduation, baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree recipients from Collin County Community College District generally make around $42,177. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Jacinto Community College landed the #15 spot for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef value this year. San Jacinto Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,490, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates carry a median of $11,376 in student loans. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates of San Jacinto Community College earn a median of $38,107 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Estrella Mountain Community College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef schools. Set in the suburb of Avondale, Estrella Mountain Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates is $21,752. Early-career baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates make about $78,359. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Scottsdale Community College placed #17 among the best values for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef. Scottsdale Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Scottsdale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates is $13,084. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates of Scottsdale Community College earn a median of $48,039 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,084 median debt.
Auguste Escoffier School Of Culinary Arts Austin landed the #18 spot for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef value this year. Auguste Escoffier School Of Culinary Arts Austin is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Austin. Typical student debt for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates is $16,491. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates of Auguste Escoffier School Of Culinary Arts Austin earn a median of $25,743 early in their careers. Set against $16,491 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Culinary Institute Inc ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef schools. Culinary Institute Inc is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $18,803. Students borrow a median of $20,144 to complete the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program here. Soon after graduation, baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree recipients from Culinary Institute Inc generally make around $24,664. That is a strong return on a $20,144 median debt.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 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.
