[General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/culinary-arts/cooking-and-related-culinary-arts-general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 62 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general cooking & related culinary arts schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general cooking & related culinary arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is San Diego Mesa College, our #1 best value for general cooking & related culinary arts in the Far Western Region. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Typical student debt for general cooking & related culinary arts graduates is $6,999. Soon after graduation, general cooking & related culinary arts degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $29,852. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Sequoias is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general cooking & related culinary arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,394, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes College Of The Canyons one of the best values for general cooking & related culinary arts. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general cooking & related culinary arts degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general cooking & related culinary arts will find it at Grossmont College, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $10,628. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,309.
Cerritos College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general cooking & related culinary arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. 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. General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mt San Antonio College placed #6 among the best values for general cooking & related culinary arts. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general cooking & related culinary arts graduates is $9,384. Early-career general cooking & related culinary arts graduates make about $44,391. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saddleback College earned the #7 position for value in general cooking & related culinary arts this year. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Typical student debt for general cooking & related culinary arts graduates is $5,707. Early-career general cooking & related culinary arts graduates make about $15,890. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Ana College earned the #8 position for value in general cooking & related culinary arts this year. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. 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. That is a strong return on a $11,196 median debt.
Riverside City College placed #9 among the best values for general cooking & related culinary arts. Located in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Typical student debt for general cooking & related culinary arts graduates is $8,767. General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts graduates of Riverside City College earn a median of $37,102 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,767 median debt.
American River College earned the #10 position for value in general cooking & related culinary arts this year. American River College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Sacramento. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Typical student debt for general cooking & related culinary arts graduates is $14,105. Soon after graduation, general cooking & related culinary arts degree recipients from American River College generally make around $76,077. Set against $14,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cypress College placed #11 among the best values for general cooking & related culinary arts. Set in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,150, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,533.
Orange Coast College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general cooking & related culinary arts schools. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,392, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Typical student debt for general cooking & related culinary arts graduates is $8,978. Early-career general cooking & related culinary arts graduates make about $46,306. That is a strong return on a $8,978 median debt.
Kapiolani Community College landed the #13 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, with out-of-state students paying around $8,420. Typical student debt for general cooking & related culinary arts graduates is $10,087. Soon after graduation, general cooking & related culinary arts degree recipients from Kapiolani Community College generally make around $26,882. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general cooking & related culinary arts schools. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Typical student debt for general cooking & related culinary arts graduates is $14,692. Soon after graduation, general cooking & related culinary arts degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Allan Hancock College landed the #15 spot for general cooking & related culinary arts value this year. Set in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $9,892. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,786.
Woodland Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value general cooking & related culinary arts schools. Woodland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Woodland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,124, compared with $7,656 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $40,042 ten years out.
Long Beach City College came in at #17 for value in general cooking & related culinary arts this year. Long Beach City College is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,556, while out-of-state students pay about $12,544. Typical student debt for general cooking & related culinary arts graduates is $6,000. Median earnings reach $38,870 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mission College earned the #18 position for value in general cooking & related culinary arts this year. 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. 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.
Bakersfield College came in at #19 for value in general cooking & related culinary arts this year. Bakersfield College is a very large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. In-state tuition and fees average $1,430, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $9,419 in student loans. Early-career general cooking & related culinary arts graduates make about $86,312. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Diablo Valley College came in at #20 for value in general cooking & related culinary arts this year. Set in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,312, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $9,205 in student loans. Early-career general cooking & related culinary arts graduates make about $27,813. Set against $9,205 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chaffey College earned the #21 position for value in general cooking & related culinary arts this year. Located in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga, Chaffey College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,184, with out-of-state students paying around $11,120. Students borrow a median of $6,952 to complete the general cooking & related culinary arts program here. General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts graduates of Chaffey College earn a median of $23,532 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,952 median debt.
City College Of San Francisco ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value general cooking & related culinary arts schools. Located in the city of San Francisco, City College Of San Francisco is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,696, while out-of-state students pay about $14,656. Students borrow a median of $10,332 to complete the general cooking & related culinary arts program here. Early-career general cooking & related culinary arts graduates make about $100,031. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Leeward Community College earned the #23 position for value in general cooking & related culinary arts this year. Located in the suburb of Pearl City, Leeward Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,214, with out-of-state students paying around $8,350. Typical student debt for general cooking & related culinary arts graduates is $10,776. Soon after graduation, general cooking & related culinary arts degree recipients from Leeward Community College generally make around $21,784. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Hills College Lemoore came in at #24 for value in general cooking & related culinary arts this year. West Hills College Lemoore is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Lemoore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,384, with out-of-state students paying around $10,954. Typical student debt for general cooking & related culinary arts graduates is $9,687. Early-career general cooking & related culinary arts graduates make about $40,499. That is a strong return on a $9,687 median debt.
San Bernardino Valley College placed #25 among the best values for general cooking & related culinary arts. Located in the city of San Bernardino, San Bernardino Valley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,196, with out-of-state students paying around $4,528. Typical student debt for general cooking & related culinary arts graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, general cooking & related culinary arts degree recipients from San Bernardino Valley College generally make around $69,642. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general cooking & related culinary arts value ranking:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 62 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
