2027 Best Value Culinary Arts/Chef Training Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 39 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value culinary arts/chef training schools.
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2027 Best Value Culinary Arts/Chef Training Schools in the Great Lakes Region
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
Our analysis ranked Joliet Junior College the best value for a degree in culinary arts/chef training in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. 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. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $28,252 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,375 median debt.
Lake Land College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in culinary arts/chef training, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,415, with out-of-state students paying around $14,301. Typical student debt for culinary arts/chef training graduates is $5,163. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Lake Land College generally make around $14,366. Set against $5,163 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in culinary arts/chef training will find it at Kalamazoo Valley Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,144, with out-of-state students paying around $9,094. Students borrow a median of $14,382 to complete the culinary arts/chef training program here. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Kalamazoo Valley Community College earn a median of $26,843 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,382 median debt.
Schoolcraft College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in culinary arts/chef training, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Livonia, Schoolcraft College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,799, while out-of-state students pay about $6,501. Students borrow a median of $15,750 to complete the culinary arts/chef training program here. 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.
Students looking for strong value in culinary arts/chef training will find it at Richland Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Decatur, Richland Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,680 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,070. Students borrow a median of $9,562 to complete the culinary arts/chef training program here. Early-career culinary arts/chef training graduates make about $46,233. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Macomb Community College landed the #6 spot for culinary arts/chef training value this year. Located in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Students borrow a median of $9,862 to complete the culinary arts/chef training program here. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Macomb Community College generally make around $20,701. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Henry Ford Community College landed the #7 spot for culinary arts/chef training value this year. Henry Ford Community College is a large public school located in the city of Dearborn. In-state tuition and fees average $3,568, compared with $7,816 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for culinary arts/chef training graduates is $19,144. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Henry Ford Community College earn a median of $36,247 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,144 median debt.
Cuyahoga Community College District placed #8 among the best values for culinary arts/chef training. Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Cleveland. Students from in state pay about $3,249 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,249 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,636 to complete the culinary arts/chef training program here. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Cuyahoga Community College District generally make around $39,394. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lorain County Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value culinary arts/chef training schools. Set in the suburb of Elyria, Lorain County Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,265, with out-of-state students paying around $8,860. Typical student debt for culinary arts/chef training graduates is $17,611. Early-career culinary arts/chef training graduates make about $40,095. Set against $17,611 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College came in at #10 for value in culinary arts/chef training this year. Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. In-state tuition and fees average $5,517, compared with $10,044 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for culinary arts/chef training graduates is $12,145. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Cincinnati State Technical And Community College generally make around $36,330. That is a strong return on a $12,145 median debt.
Lincoln Land Community College came in at #11 for value in culinary arts/chef training this year. Located in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,744, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Students borrow a median of $11,272 to complete the culinary arts/chef training program here. Early-career culinary arts/chef training graduates make about $43,834. Set against $11,272 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Danville Area Community College landed the #12 spot for culinary arts/chef training value this year. Danville Area Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Danville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,440, while out-of-state students pay about $7,440. Students borrow a median of $9,470 to complete the culinary arts/chef training program here. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Danville Area Community College generally make around $36,123. Set against $9,470 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Elgin Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value culinary arts/chef training schools. Set in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,252 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,516. Typical student debt for culinary arts/chef training graduates is $7,727. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Elgin Community College generally make around $43,975. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakland Community College came in at #14 for value in culinary arts/chef training this year. Located in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,120, while out-of-state students pay about $5,560. Students borrow a median of $15,865 to complete the culinary arts/chef training program here. Early-career culinary arts/chef training graduates make about $43,205. Set against $15,865 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sinclair Community College placed #15 among the best values for culinary arts/chef training. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Students borrow a median of $15,834 to complete the culinary arts/chef training program here. Early-career culinary arts/chef training graduates make about $28,037. That is a strong return on a $15,834 median debt.
Northwestern Michigan College came in at #16 for value in culinary arts/chef training this year. Located in the city of Traverse City, Northwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,860, compared with $13,476 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for culinary arts/chef training graduates is $14,199. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Northwestern Michigan College earn a median of $26,586 early in their careers. Set against $14,199 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Dupage came in at #17 for value in culinary arts/chef training this year. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $12,750. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates carry a median of $12,492 in student loans. Early-career culinary arts/chef training graduates make about $26,952. Set against $12,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mott Community College landed the #18 spot for culinary arts/chef training value this year. Located in the city of Flint, Mott Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,845, while out-of-state students pay about $11,460. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates carry a median of $20,645 in student loans. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Mott Community College generally make around $37,989. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kaskaskia College landed the #19 spot for culinary arts/chef training value this year. Set in the rural area of Centralia, Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,570. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates carry a median of $7,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Kaskaskia College generally make around $45,658. Set against $7,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Lake County ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value culinary arts/chef training schools. Located in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,788, with out-of-state students paying around $14,400. Students borrow a median of $9,785 to complete the culinary arts/chef training program here. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from College Of Lake County generally make around $50,314. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ivy Tech Community College came in at #21 for value in culinary arts/chef training this year. Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Students from in state pay about $5,154 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates carry a median of $11,889 in student loans. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $40,734. That is a strong return on a $11,889 median debt.
Grand Rapids Community College landed the #22 spot for culinary arts/chef training value this year. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,179 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,219 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,625 to complete the culinary arts/chef training program here. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Grand Rapids Community College generally make around $26,052. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Columbus State Community College came in at #23 for value in culinary arts/chef training this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,488, with out-of-state students paying around $11,224. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates carry a median of $9,041 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,435 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $9,041 median debt.
Milwaukee Area Technical College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value culinary arts/chef training schools. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,184, with out-of-state students paying around $7,427. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates carry a median of $19,386 in student loans. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Milwaukee Area Technical College generally make around $25,304. That is a strong return on a $19,386 median debt.
Moraine Park Technical College earned the #25 position for value in culinary arts/chef training this year. Located in the city of Fond du Lac, Moraine Park Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,819, with out-of-state students paying around $7,084. Typical student debt for culinary arts/chef training graduates is $11,471. Early-career culinary arts/chef training graduates make about $39,552. Set against $11,471 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 39 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 ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 39 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 39 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.
