2027 Best Value Culinary Arts/Chef Training Schools
[Culinary Arts/Chef Training](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/culinary-arts/culinary-arts-chef-training/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 247 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value culinary arts/chef training schools.
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Finding the Best Value Culinary Arts/Chef Training School for You
The culinary arts/chef training program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Culinary Arts/Chef Training 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.
Read more about our methodology
One Size Does Not Fit All
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Culinary Arts/Chef Training Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
See how we build our rankings
2027 Best Value Culinary Arts/Chef Training Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the culinary arts/chef training degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Culinary Arts/Chef Training Schools
For return on investment in culinary arts/chef training, no school beat South Georgia Technical College this year. Located in the town of Americus, South Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,992 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,202. Students borrow a median of $10,423 to complete the culinary arts/chef training program here. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of South Georgia Technical College earn a median of $40,497 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in culinary arts/chef training will find it at El Centro College, which ranked #2. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Students borrow a median of $9,218 to complete the culinary arts/chef training program here. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $31,127 early in their careers. Set against $9,218 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in culinary arts/chef training will find it at Joliet Junior College, which ranked #3. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. In-state tuition and fees average $4,530, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Typical student debt for culinary arts/chef training graduates is $16,375. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $28,252 early in their careers. Set against $16,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in culinary arts/chef training will find it at Trident Technical College, which ranked #4. Trident Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Charleston. In-state tuition and fees average $4,546, compared with $8,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the culinary arts/chef training program here. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training 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 #5 makes Wilkes Community College one of the best values for culinary arts/chef training. Located in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,572, compared with $8,716 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,125 to complete the culinary arts/chef training program here. Early-career culinary arts/chef training graduates make about $36,341. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College landed the #6 spot for culinary arts/chef training value this year. Set in the rural area of Valdosta, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,480 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,048. Typical student debt for culinary arts/chef training graduates is $10,864. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Wiregrass Georgia Technical College earn a median of $40,452 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Mainland landed the #7 spot for culinary arts/chef training value this year. College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Texas City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,310, compared with $4,140 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,928 to complete the culinary arts/chef training program here. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of College Of The Mainland earn a median of $40,788 early in their careers. Set against $10,928 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Middlesex County College earned the #8 position for value in culinary arts/chef training this year. Located in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,764, while out-of-state students pay about $7,356. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates carry a median of $9,514 in student loans. Early-career culinary arts/chef training graduates make about $37,975. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indian River State College landed the #9 spot for culinary arts/chef training value this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,764 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,201. Typical student debt for culinary arts/chef training graduates is $10,492. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Indian River State College earn a median of $44,082 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lake Land College came in at #10 for value in culinary arts/chef training this year. Located in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,415, compared with $14,301 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,163 to complete the culinary arts/chef training program here. Early-career culinary arts/chef training graduates make about $14,366. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Piedmont Community College landed the #11 spot for culinary arts/chef training value this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,792, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates carry a median of $11,861 in student loans. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $27,127 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pensacola State College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value culinary arts/chef training schools. Set in the city of Pensacola, Pensacola State College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,361, compared with $9,463 for out-of-state students. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Pensacola State College earn a median of $45,811 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Schoolcraft College earned the #13 position for value in culinary arts/chef training this year. Set in the city of Livonia, Schoolcraft College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,799, while out-of-state students pay about $6,501. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates carry a median of $15,750 in student loans. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Schoolcraft College earn a median of $27,248 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,750 median debt.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College came in at #14 for value in culinary arts/chef training this year. Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Kalamazoo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,144, compared with $9,094 for out-of-state students. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates carry a median of $14,382 in student loans. Early-career culinary arts/chef training graduates make about $26,843. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hillsborough Community College earned the #15 position for value in culinary arts/chef training this year. Hillsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Students from in state pay about $2,491 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,088. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates carry a median of $19,657 in student loans. Early-career culinary arts/chef training graduates make about $29,451. That is a strong return on a $19,657 median debt.
Richland Community College placed #16 among the best values for culinary arts/chef training. Richland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Decatur. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,680, while out-of-state students pay about $17,070. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates carry a median of $9,562 in student loans. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Richland Community College generally make around $46,233. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Atlanta Technical College placed #17 among the best values for culinary arts/chef training. Located in the city of Atlanta, Atlanta Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,382 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,950. Students borrow a median of $17,655 to complete the culinary arts/chef training program here. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Atlanta Technical College earn a median of $35,441 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Texas College landed the #18 spot for culinary arts/chef training value this year. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Students borrow a median of $6,868 to complete the culinary arts/chef training program here. Early-career culinary arts/chef training graduates make about $24,084. That is a strong return on a $6,868 median debt.
Suffolk County Community College earned the #19 position for value in culinary arts/chef training this year. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Students borrow a median of $11,246 to complete the culinary arts/chef training program here. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $35,667 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida State College At Jacksonville earned the #20 position for value in culinary arts/chef training this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,657, while out-of-state students pay about $9,631. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates carry a median of $19,139 in student loans. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Florida State College At Jacksonville earn a median of $46,748 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fayetteville Technical Community College came in at #21 for value in culinary arts/chef training this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,628, while out-of-state students pay about $8,772. Students borrow a median of $16,909 to complete the culinary arts/chef training program here. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Fayetteville Technical Community College generally make around $40,584. Set against $16,909 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Miami Dade College earned the #22 position for value in culinary arts/chef training this year. Set in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,838, compared with $9,661 for out-of-state students. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates carry a median of $10,882 in student loans. Early-career culinary arts/chef training graduates make about $31,101. Set against $10,882 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Macomb Community College came in at #23 for value in culinary arts/chef training this year. Located in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Typical student debt for culinary arts/chef training graduates is $9,862. Early-career culinary arts/chef training graduates make about $20,701. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Spartanburg Community College landed the #24 spot for culinary arts/chef training value this year. Set in the suburb of Spartanburg, Spartanburg Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,071, compared with $10,135 for out-of-state students. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates carry a median of $10,148 in student loans. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Spartanburg Community College earn a median of $41,598 early in their careers. Set against $10,148 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuyahoga Community College District came in at #25 for value in culinary arts/chef training this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,249, while out-of-state students pay about $7,249. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates carry a median of $14,636 in student loans. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Cuyahoga Community College District earn a median of $39,394 early in their careers. Set against $14,636 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Culinary Arts/Chef Training Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in culinary arts/chef training:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 247 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 247 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.
