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2022 Best Value Culinary Arts/Chef Training Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k

23 Ranked Colleges
585 Degrees Awarded
$8,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Culinary Arts/Chef Training Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Culinary Arts/Chef Training Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking.

Culinary Arts/Chef Training is the 135th most popular major in the country with 10,007 degrees awarded in 2019-2020.

Across the Southwest region, there were 1,277 culinary arts/chef training graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the associate degree level specifically, there were 585 culinary arts/chef training graduates with average earnings and debt of $33,605 and $16,886 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Culinary Arts/Chef Training Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 23 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in culinary arts/chef training. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great culinary arts/chef training programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the culinary arts/chef training program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Culinary Arts/Chef Training Schools

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Culinary Arts/Chef Training Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list to help you make the college decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Culinary Arts/Chef Training Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for southwest region associate degree culinary arts/chef training students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 23 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Culinary Arts/Chef Training (Income $30-$48k) in the Southwest Region

#1

El Centro College

Dallas, Texas
#2 in overall quality

Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Culinary Arts/Chef Training Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, El Centro College landed the #1 spot on the list. Dallas, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s culinary arts/chef training degrees to 21 students in 2019-2020.

El Centro College also made our “Best Culinary Arts/Chef Training Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #2. It costs about $4,228 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Culinary Arts/Chef Training students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend El Centro College.

Read more about Culinary Arts/Chef Training at El Centro College

#3 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Austin Community College District. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Culinary Arts/Chef Training Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Austin Community College District is a large school located in Austin, Texas that handed out 9 associates’s culinary arts/chef training degrees in 2019-2020.

Austin Community College District did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Culinary Arts/Chef Training Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $4,362 for southwest region associate degree culinary arts/chef training students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Austin Community College District.

Full Austin Community College District Culinary Arts/Chef Training Report

#3

Central New Mexico Community College

Albuquerque, New Mexico
#12 in overall quality

Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Culinary Arts/Chef Training Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Central New Mexico Community College landed the #3 spot on the list. Albuquerque, New Mexico is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s culinary arts/chef training degrees to 23 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CNM, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Culinary Arts/Chef Training Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for CNM is $3,626 for southwest region associate degree culinary arts/chef training students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Culinary Arts/Chef Training at CNM

#4

Houston Community College

Houston, Texas
#7 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Houston Community College. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Culinary Arts/Chef Training Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Houston, Texas, this large public school handed out 39 diplomas to qualified associates’s culinary arts/chef training students in 2019-2020.

Houston Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Culinary Arts/Chef Training Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Houston Community College is $5,351 for southwest region associate degree culinary arts/chef training students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Houston Community College Culinary Arts/Chef Training Report

#5

Lee College

Baytown, Texas
#11 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Lee College. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Culinary Arts/Chef Training Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Located in Baytown, Texas, this medium-sized public school awarded 21 degrees to qualified associates’s culinary arts/chef training students in 2019-2020.

Lee College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Culinary Arts/Chef Training Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Lee College is $6,555 for southwest region associate degree culinary arts/chef training students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Lee College Culinary Arts/Chef Training Report

#6

El Paso Community College

El Paso, Texas
#13 in overall quality

El Paso Community College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Culinary Arts/Chef Training Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. El Paso Community College is a large school located in El Paso, Texas that handed out 27 associates’s culinary arts/chef training degrees in 2019-2020.

El Paso Community College also took the #13 spot in our “Best Culinary Arts/Chef Training Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $4,609 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Culinary Arts/Chef Training students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend El Paso Community College.

Read more about Culinary Arts/Chef Training at El Paso Community College

#7

St Philip's College

San Antonio, Texas
#4 in overall quality

St Philip’s College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Culinary Arts/Chef Training Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in San Antonio, Texas, this fairly large public school handed out 15 diplomas to qualified associates’s culinary arts/chef training students in 2019-2020.

St Philip’s College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Culinary Arts/Chef Training Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend St Philip’s College is $6,522 for southwest region associate degree culinary arts/chef training students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Culinary Arts/Chef Training at St Philip’s College

#8

South Plains College

Levelland, Texas
#10 in overall quality

South Plains College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Culinary Arts/Chef Training Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. South Plains College is a public institution located in Levelland, Texas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 12 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

South Plains College also made our “Best Culinary Arts/Chef Training Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #10. The estimated yearly cost for South Plains College is $7,419 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Culinary Arts/Chef Training students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full South Plains College Culinary Arts/Chef Training Report

#9 in overall quality

Collin County Community College District came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Culinary Arts/Chef Training Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in McKinney, Texas, and it awarded 2 associates’s culinary arts/chef training degrees in 2019-2020.

Collin County Community College District not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Culinary Arts/Chef Training Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Collin County Community College District is $5,536 for southwest region associate degree culinary arts/chef training students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Culinary Arts/Chef Training at Collin County Community College District

#10

Tarrant County College District

Fort Worth, Texas
#15 in overall quality

With a ranking of #10, Tarrant County College District did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Culinary Arts/Chef Training Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Tarrant County College is a large school located in Fort Worth, Texas that handed out 10 associates’s culinary arts/chef training degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region associate degree culinary arts/chef training students whose families make $30-$48k list, Tarrant County College has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Culinary Arts/Chef Training Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $5,742 for southwest region associate degree culinary arts/chef training students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Tarrant County College.

Read more about Culinary Arts/Chef Training at Tarrant County College

#11

Del Mar College

Corpus Christi, Texas
#14 in overall quality

Del Mar College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Culinary Arts/Chef Training Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. DMC is a fairly large public school situated in Corpus Christi, Texas. It awarded 5 associates’s culinary arts/chef training degrees in 2019-2020.

DMC also took the #14 spot in our “Best Culinary Arts/Chef Training Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend DMC is $5,957 for southwest region associate degree culinary arts/chef training students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Del Mar College Culinary Arts/Chef Training Report

#5 in overall quality

San Jacinto Community College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Culinary Arts/Chef Training Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Pasadena, Texas, this large public school handed out 13 degrees to qualified associates’s culinary arts/chef training students in 2019-2020.

San Jacinto College also made our “Best Culinary Arts/Chef Training Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #5. It costs about $8,502 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Culinary Arts/Chef Training students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend San Jacinto Community College.

Full San Jacinto College Culinary Arts/Chef Training Report

#6 in overall quality

Texas State Technical College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Culinary Arts/Chef Training Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Texas State Technical College is a fairly large public school situated in Waco, Texas. It awarded 33 associates’s culinary arts/chef training degrees in 2019-2020.

TSTC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Culinary Arts/Chef Training Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend TSTC is $9,067 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Culinary Arts/Chef Training students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Culinary Arts/Chef Training at TSTC

#14

Odessa College

Odessa, Texas
#16 in overall quality

Odessa College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Culinary Arts/Chef Training Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Odessa College is located in Odessa, Texas and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 12 associates’s culinary arts/chef training degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our southwest region associate degree culinary arts/chef training students whose families make $30-$48k list, Odessa College has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Culinary Arts/Chef Training Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $6,129 for southwest region associate degree culinary arts/chef training students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Odessa College.

Full Odessa College Culinary Arts/Chef Training Report

#15

New Mexico State University - Dona Ana

Las Cruces, New Mexico
#19 in overall quality

New Mexico State University - Dona Ana came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Culinary Arts/Chef Training Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. New Mexico State University - Dona Ana is a public institution located in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 11 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

NMSU Dona Ana not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Culinary Arts/Chef Training Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend New Mexico State University - Dona Ana is $5,658 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Culinary Arts/Chef Training students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full New Mexico State University - Dona Ana Culinary Arts/Chef Training Report

#16

Texarkana College

Texarkana, Texas
#18 in overall quality

Texarkana College landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Culinary Arts/Chef Training Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This small school is located in Texarkana, Texas, and it awarded 10 associates’s culinary arts/chef training degrees in 2019-2020.

Texarkana College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Culinary Arts/Chef Training Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $6,059 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Culinary Arts/Chef Training students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Texarkana College.

Read full report on Culinary Arts/Chef Training at Texarkana College

#17

Northeast Texas Community College

Mount Pleasant, Texas
#20 in overall quality

Northeast Texas Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Culinary Arts/Chef Training Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #17. Located in Mount Pleasant, Texas, this small public school awarded 6 diplomas to qualified associates’s culinary arts/chef training students in 2019-2020.

NTCC also made our “Best Culinary Arts/Chef Training Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #20. The yearly cost to attend Northeast Texas Community College is $7,441 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Culinary Arts/Chef Training students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Culinary Arts/Chef Training at Northeast Texas Community College

#17 in overall quality

Estrella Mountain Community College landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Culinary Arts/Chef Training Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Estrella Mountain Community College is located in Avondale, Arizona and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 8 associates’s culinary arts/chef training degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our southwest region associate degree culinary arts/chef training students whose families make $30-$48k list, Estrella Mountain Community College has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Culinary Arts/Chef Training Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $8,740 for southwest region associate degree culinary arts/chef training students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Estrella Mountain Community College.

Read full report on Culinary Arts/Chef Training at Estrella Mountain Community College

#19

Scottsdale Community College

Scottsdale, Arizona
#8 in overall quality

Scottsdale Community College landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Culinary Arts/Chef Training Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Scottsdale Community College is located in Scottsdale, Arizona and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 17 associates’s culinary arts/chef training degrees to qualified students.

Scottsdale Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Culinary Arts/Chef Training Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $10,103 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Culinary Arts/Chef Training students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Scottsdale Community College.

Full Scottsdale Community College Culinary Arts/Chef Training Report

#1 in overall quality

The Art Institute of Houston did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Culinary Arts/Chef Training Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #20. Ai Houston is a small school located in Houston, Texas that handed out 33 associates’s culinary arts/chef training degrees in 2019-2020.

Ai Houston did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Culinary Arts/Chef Training Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Ai Houston is $21,747 for southwest region associate degree culinary arts/chef training students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Culinary Arts/Chef Training at Ai Houston

#21 in overall quality

Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts - Austin ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Culinary Arts/Chef Training Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Escoffier - Austin is located in Austin, Texas and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 176 associates’s culinary arts/chef training degrees to qualified students.

Escoffier - Austin also took the #21 spot in our “Best Culinary Arts/Chef Training Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts - Austin is $14,408 for southwest region associate degree culinary arts/chef training students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Culinary Arts/Chef Training at Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts - Austin

#22

The Art Institute of San Antonio

San Antonio, Texas
#22 in overall quality

With a ranking of #22, The Art Institute of San Antonio did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Culinary Arts/Chef Training Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. The Art Institute of San Antonio is located in San Antonio, Texas and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 8 associates’s culinary arts/chef training degrees to qualified students.

Ai San Antonio also took the #22 spot in our “Best Culinary Arts/Chef Training Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $22,788 for southwest region associate degree culinary arts/chef training students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend The Art Institute of San Antonio.

Read more about Culinary Arts/Chef Training at Ai San Antonio

#23 in overall quality

The Art Institute of Austin ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Culinary Arts/Chef Training Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Ai Austin is a private for-profit institution located in Austin, Texas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 7 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Ai Austin also made our “Best Culinary Arts/Chef Training Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #23. It costs about $22,824 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Culinary Arts/Chef Training students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend The Art Institute of Austin.

Read full report on Culinary Arts/Chef Training at The Art Institute of Austin

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Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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