[General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/culinary-arts/cooking-and-related-culinary-arts-general/) 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.
College Factual analyzed 122 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general cooking & related culinary arts schools.
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The general cooking & related culinary arts program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. To help, we created our Best Value General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general cooking & related culinary arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Trident Technical College tops our 2027 list of the best value general cooking & related culinary arts schools in the United States. Set in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,546, while out-of-state students pay about $8,620. Typical student debt for general cooking & related culinary arts graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, general cooking & related culinary arts degree recipients from Trident Technical College generally make around $50,166. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Oxnard College one of the best values for general cooking & related culinary arts. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.
College Of The Sequoias is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general cooking & related culinary arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,394, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Typical student debt for general cooking & related culinary arts graduates is $10,288. General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $37,749 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cerritos College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general cooking & related culinary arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the general cooking & related culinary arts program here. Early-career general cooking & related culinary arts graduates make about $29,495. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Santa Ana College earned it the #5 place for general cooking & related culinary arts. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general cooking & related culinary arts graduates is $11,196. Soon after graduation, general cooking & related culinary arts degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. Set against $11,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Joaquin Delta College placed #6 among the best values for general cooking & related culinary arts. Set in the city of Stockton, San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $9,772. Typical student debt for general cooking & related culinary arts graduates is $6,382. Early-career general cooking & related culinary arts graduates make about $65,168. That is a strong return on a $6,382 median debt.
Pima Community College came in at #7 for value in general cooking & related culinary arts this year. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,442, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. Typical student debt for general cooking & related culinary arts graduates is $10,655. General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $40,977 early in their careers. Set against $10,655 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Canyons placed #8 among the best values for general cooking & related culinary arts. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the general cooking & related culinary arts program here. General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasadena City College landed the #9 spot for general cooking & related culinary arts value this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cypress College landed the #10 spot for general cooking & related culinary arts value this year. Located in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,150 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,379. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,533 ten years after entry.
Saddleback College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value general cooking & related culinary arts schools. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the general cooking & related culinary arts program here. Soon after graduation, general cooking & related culinary arts degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
Coahoma Community College placed #12 among the best values for general cooking & related culinary arts. Located in the rural area of Clarksdale, Coahoma Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,490 in tuition and fees. General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $11,745 in student loans. Early-career general cooking & related culinary arts graduates make about $29,600. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Metropolitan Community College Area landed the #13 spot for general cooking & related culinary arts value this year. Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public school located in the city of Omaha. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,375, compared with $4,950 for out-of-state students. General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $12,799 in student loans. General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts graduates of Metropolitan Community College Area earn a median of $45,583 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hinds Community College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value general cooking & related culinary arts schools. Located in the rural area of Raymond, Hinds Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,250, while out-of-state students pay about $7,300. General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $12,169 in student loans. General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts graduates of Hinds Community College earn a median of $34,003 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rappahannock Community College earned the #15 position for value in general cooking & related culinary arts this year. Rappahannock Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Glenns. In-state tuition and fees average $5,102, while out-of-state students pay about $11,540. Students borrow a median of $8,997 to complete the general cooking & related culinary arts program here. Soon after graduation, general cooking & related culinary arts degree recipients from Rappahannock Community College generally make around $43,398. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central New Mexico Community College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value general cooking & related culinary arts schools. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $23,139 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kapiolani Community College landed the #17 spot for general cooking & related culinary arts value this year. Set in the city of Honolulu, Kapiolani Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,284 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,420 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general cooking & related culinary arts graduates is $10,087. General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts graduates of Kapiolani Community College earn a median of $26,882 early in their careers. Set against $10,087 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Georgia Technical College landed the #18 spot for general cooking & related culinary arts value this year. Set in the rural area of Clarkesville, North Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,330 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,898. General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $12,279 in student loans. Early-career general cooking & related culinary arts graduates make about $17,383. Set against $12,279 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Paso Community College landed the #19 spot for general cooking & related culinary arts value this year. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. Students borrow a median of $8,542 to complete the general cooking & related culinary arts program here. Early-career general cooking & related culinary arts graduates make about $29,086. That is a strong return on a $8,542 median debt.
Albany Technical College earned the #20 position for value in general cooking & related culinary arts this year. Set in the city of Albany, Albany Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,364, compared with $5,932 for out-of-state students. General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $16,321 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general cooking & related culinary arts degree recipients from Albany Technical College generally make around $35,895. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mission College earned the #21 position for value in general cooking & related culinary arts this year. Set in the city of Santa Clara, Mission College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,438, with out-of-state students paying around $12,500. Typical student debt for general cooking & related culinary arts graduates is $17,223. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,936 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Arizona College landed the #22 spot for general cooking & related culinary arts value this year. Located in the rural area of Coolidge, Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,250 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,500. Students borrow a median of $11,635 to complete the general cooking & related culinary arts program here. Early-career general cooking & related culinary arts graduates make about $48,826. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grossmont College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value general cooking & related culinary arts schools. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, compared with $10,628 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $40,309 ten years out.
Leeward Community College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value general cooking & related culinary arts schools. Located in the suburb of Pearl City, Leeward Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,214, with out-of-state students paying around $8,350. Typical student debt for general cooking & related culinary arts graduates is $10,776. Early-career general cooking & related culinary arts graduates make about $21,784. That is a strong return on a $10,776 median debt.
Pellissippi State Community College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value general cooking & related culinary arts schools. Pellissippi State Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Knoxville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,786, while out-of-state students pay about $17,770. Typical student debt for general cooking & related culinary arts graduates is $8,951. Early-career general cooking & related culinary arts graduates make about $43,816. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general cooking & related culinary arts:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 122 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 122 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.
