2027 Best Value Culinary Arts/Chef Training Associate’s Degree Schools
[Culinary Arts/Chef Training](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/culinary-arts/culinary-arts-chef-training/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong culinary arts/chef training education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 147 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for culinary arts/chef training students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Culinary Arts/Chef Training Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in culinary arts/chef training, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Culinary Arts/Chef Training Schools
Joliet Junior College earned the #1 spot for value among culinary arts/chef training schools in the United States. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. Students from in state pay about $4,530 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,800 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for culinary arts/chef training graduates is $16,375. Early-career culinary arts/chef training graduates make about $28,252. Set against $16,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Centro College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in culinary arts/chef training, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for culinary arts/chef training graduates is $9,218. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $31,770 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wilkes Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value culinary arts/chef training schools. Set in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,572, with out-of-state students paying around $8,716. Typical student debt for culinary arts/chef training graduates is $9,125. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Wilkes Community College earn a median of $36,341 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Trident Technical College earned it the #4 place for culinary arts/chef training. Located in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,546 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,620 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for culinary arts/chef training graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Trident Technical College generally make around $50,166. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Middlesex County College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value culinary arts/chef training schools. Middlesex County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Edison. Students from in state pay about $4,764 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,356. Students borrow a median of $9,514 to complete the culinary arts/chef training program here. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Middlesex County College generally make around $37,975. That is a strong return on a $9,514 median debt.
Central Piedmont Community College came in at #6 for value in culinary arts/chef training this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,792, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for culinary arts/chef training graduates is $11,861. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $27,127 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,861 median debt.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College came in at #7 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, with out-of-state students paying around $9,094. 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. That is a strong return on a $14,382 median debt.
Schoolcraft College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value culinary arts/chef training schools. Located in the city of Livonia, Schoolcraft College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,501 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for culinary arts/chef training graduates is $15,750. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Schoolcraft College earn a median of $27,248 early in their careers. Set against $15,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suffolk County Community College placed #9 among the best values for culinary arts/chef training. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Typical student debt for culinary arts/chef training graduates is $11,246. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $35,667. Set against $11,246 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Texas College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value culinary arts/chef training schools. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $6,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College landed the #11 spot for culinary arts/chef training value this year. Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Valdosta. In-state tuition and fees average $3,480, compared with $6,048 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,864 to complete the culinary arts/chef training program here. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Wiregrass Georgia Technical College generally make around $40,452. Set against $10,864 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Macomb Community College placed #12 among the best values for culinary arts/chef training. Macomb Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Warren. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates carry a median of $9,862 in student loans. 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 came in at #13 for value in culinary arts/chef training this year. Spartanburg Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Spartanburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,071, while out-of-state students pay about $10,135. Students borrow a median of $10,148 to complete the culinary arts/chef training program here. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Spartanburg Community College generally make around $41,598. That is a strong return on a $10,148 median debt.
Cuyahoga Community College District placed #14 among the best values for culinary arts/chef training. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,249 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,249. Typical student debt for culinary arts/chef training graduates is $14,636. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Cuyahoga Community College District earn a median of $39,394 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,636 median debt.
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value culinary arts/chef training schools. Located in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,517, with out-of-state students paying around $10,044. Students borrow a median of $12,145 to complete the culinary arts/chef training program here. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Cincinnati State Technical And Community College generally make around $36,330. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hillsborough Community College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value culinary arts/chef training schools. Located in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,491, while out-of-state students pay about $9,088. Typical student debt for culinary arts/chef training graduates is $19,657. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Hillsborough Community College earn a median of $29,451 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,657 median debt.
Florida State College At Jacksonville ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value culinary arts/chef training schools. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,657, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $19,139 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Miami Dade College came in at #18 for value in culinary arts/chef training this year. Set in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,838 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,661. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fayetteville Technical Community College landed the #19 spot for culinary arts/chef training value this year. Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,628, while out-of-state students pay about $8,772. Typical student debt for culinary arts/chef training graduates is $16,909. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Fayetteville Technical Community College earn a median of $40,584 early in their careers. Set against $16,909 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Metropolitan Community College Area placed #20 among the best values for culinary arts/chef training. Located in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,375, with out-of-state students paying around $4,950. Typical student debt for culinary arts/chef training graduates is $12,799. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Area generally make around $45,583. That is a strong return on a $12,799 median debt.
Sandhills Community College landed the #21 spot for culinary arts/chef training value this year. Located in the rural area of Pinehurst, Sandhills Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,040 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,648. Typical student debt for culinary arts/chef training graduates is $9,238. Early-career culinary arts/chef training graduates make about $46,492. That is a strong return on a $9,238 median debt.
Lorain County Community College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value culinary arts/chef training schools. Lorain County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Elyria. In-state tuition and fees average $4,265, with out-of-state students paying around $8,860. Typical student debt for culinary arts/chef training graduates is $17,611. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Lorain County Community College earn a median of $40,095 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indian River State College came in at #23 for value in culinary arts/chef training this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,764, while out-of-state students pay about $10,201. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the culinary arts/chef training program here. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Indian River State College generally make around $44,082. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Del Mar College placed #24 among the best values for culinary arts/chef training. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,500, compared with $6,050 for out-of-state students. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates carry a median of $7,476 in student loans. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Del Mar College earn a median of $40,661 early in their careers. Set against $7,476 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Spokane Community College landed the #25 spot for culinary arts/chef training value this year. Set in the city of Spokane, Spokane Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,461 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,612. Typical student debt for culinary arts/chef training graduates is $16,486. Early-career culinary arts/chef training graduates make about $23,529. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Culinary Arts/Chef Training Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for culinary arts/chef training this year:
Other Culinary Arts/Chef Training Degree Levels
Explore the best-value culinary arts/chef training schools at other degree levels:
View All Culinary Arts/Chef Training Rankings >
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 · 147 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 147 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.
