[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 73 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general cooking & related culinary arts schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general cooking & related culinary arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Trident Technical College tops our 2027 list of the best value general cooking & related culinary arts schools in the United States. Trident Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Charleston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,546, with out-of-state students paying around $8,620. General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general cooking & related culinary arts degree recipients from Trident Technical College generally make around $50,166. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cerritos College earned it the #2 place for general cooking & related culinary arts. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Typical student debt for general cooking & related culinary arts graduates is $11,306. Early-career general cooking & related culinary arts graduates make about $29,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Sequoias came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general cooking & related culinary arts schools. 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, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,288 to complete the general cooking & related culinary arts program here. Soon after graduation, general cooking & related culinary arts degree recipients from College Of The Sequoias generally make around $37,749. That is a strong return on a $10,288 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at San Joaquin Delta College earned it the #4 place for general cooking & related culinary arts. Set in the city of Stockton, San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $9,772. General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $6,382 in student loans. Early-career general cooking & related culinary arts graduates make about $65,168. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes College Of The Canyons one of 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the general cooking & related culinary arts program here. Early-career general cooking & related culinary arts graduates make about $51,913. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Metropolitan Community College Area placed #6 among the best values for general cooking & related culinary arts. Located in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,375, while out-of-state students pay about $4,950. General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $12,799 in student loans. Early-career general cooking & related culinary arts graduates make about $45,583. That is a strong return on a $12,799 median debt.
Cypress College earned the #7 position for value in general cooking & related culinary arts this year. Located in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,150, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,533.
Central New Mexico Community College came in at #8 for value in general cooking & related culinary arts this year. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete the general cooking & related culinary arts program here. General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $23,139 early in their careers. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kapiolani Community College landed the #9 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,284, while out-of-state students pay about $8,420. Typical student debt for general cooking & related culinary arts graduates is $10,087. Early-career general cooking & related culinary arts graduates make about $26,882. Set against $10,087 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hinds Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value general cooking & related culinary arts schools. Hinds Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Raymond. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,250, compared with $7,300 for out-of-state students. General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $12,169 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general cooking & related culinary arts degree recipients from Hinds Community College generally make around $34,003. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Paso Community College came in at #11 for value in general cooking & related culinary arts this year. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,274, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $8,542 in student loans. Early-career general cooking & related culinary arts graduates make about $29,086. Set against $8,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mission College placed #12 among the best values for general cooking & related culinary arts. Mission College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Clara. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,438, compared with $12,500 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general cooking & related culinary arts graduates is $17,223. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,936. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grossmont College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value general cooking & related culinary arts schools. Set in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, compared with $10,628 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $40,309 ten years out.
Leeward Community College earned the #14 position for value in general cooking & related culinary arts this year. Set in the suburb of Pearl City, Leeward Community College is a large public institution. 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. General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts graduates of Leeward Community College earn a median of $21,784 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pellissippi State Community College came in at #15 for value in general cooking & related culinary arts this year. Located in the suburb of Knoxville, Pellissippi State Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,786, with out-of-state students paying around $17,770. Students borrow a median of $8,951 to complete the general cooking & related culinary arts program here. Soon after graduation, general cooking & related culinary arts degree recipients from Pellissippi State Community College generally make around $43,816. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Virginia Western Community College landed the #16 spot for general cooking & related culinary arts value this year. Set in the city of Roanoke, Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,400 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,838. General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $13,715 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general cooking & related culinary arts degree recipients from Virginia Western Community College generally make around $36,245. That is a strong return on a $13,715 median debt.
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value general cooking & related culinary arts schools. J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Richmond. In-state tuition and fees average $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $11,718. Students borrow a median of $16,131 to complete the general cooking & related culinary arts program here. Early-career general cooking & related culinary arts graduates make about $36,965. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Utah Valley University earned the #18 position for value in general cooking & related culinary arts this year. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general cooking & related culinary arts graduates is $16,478. Soon after graduation, general cooking & related culinary arts degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $27,056. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.
Santa Rosa Junior College earned the #19 position for value in general cooking & related culinary arts this year. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Early-career general cooking & related culinary arts graduates make about $80,047. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Diego Mesa College came in at #20 for value in general cooking & related culinary arts this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $6,999 to complete the general cooking & related culinary arts program here. General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $29,852 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Allan Hancock College placed #21 among the best values for general cooking & related culinary arts. Allan Hancock College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Maria. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, compared with $9,892 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,786.
Chaffey College earned the #22 position for value in general cooking & related culinary arts this year. Set in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga, Chaffey College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,184, compared with $11,120 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general cooking & related culinary arts graduates is $6,952. General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts graduates of Chaffey College earn a median of $23,532 early in their careers. Set against $6,952 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Long Beach City College came in at #23 for value in general cooking & related culinary arts this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,556 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,544 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the general cooking & related culinary arts program here. Median earnings reach $38,870 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
College Of Southern Nevada landed the #24 spot for general cooking & related culinary arts value this year. College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. In-state tuition and fees average $4,358, with out-of-state students paying around $13,024. Students borrow a median of $9,980 to complete the general cooking & related culinary arts program here. Early-career general cooking & related culinary arts graduates make about $22,428. That is a strong return on a $9,980 median debt.
Pikes Peak Community College came in at #25 for value in general cooking & related culinary arts this year. Pikes Peak Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Colorado Springs. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,510, while out-of-state students pay about $17,110. General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $16,066 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general cooking & related culinary arts degree recipients from Pikes Peak Community College generally make around $41,037. Set against $16,066 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
These schools also delivered strong value for general cooking & related culinary arts this year:
Explore the best-value general cooking & related culinary arts schools at other degree levels:
View All General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 73 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 73 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.
