2027 Best Value Culinary Arts/Chef Training Schools in Michigan
[Culinary Arts/Chef Training](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/culinary-arts/culinary-arts-chef-training/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 9 schools to find the best return on investment for culinary arts/chef training students.
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2027 Best Value Culinary Arts/Chef Training Schools in Michigan
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
Henry Ford Community College earned the #1 spot for value among culinary arts/chef training schools in Michigan. Located in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,568 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,816. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates carry a median of $19,144 in student loans. Early-career culinary arts/chef training graduates make about $36,247. Set against $19,144 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Macomb Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in culinary arts/chef training, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Students borrow a median of $9,862 to complete the culinary arts/chef training program here. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Macomb Community College earn a median of $20,701 early in their careers. Set against $9,862 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Schoolcraft College earned it the #3 place for culinary arts/chef training. Set in the city of Livonia, Schoolcraft College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,799 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,501. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates carry a median of $15,750 in student loans. Early-career culinary arts/chef training graduates make about $27,248. That is a strong return on a $15,750 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Kalamazoo Valley Community College one of the best values for culinary arts/chef training. Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Kalamazoo. In-state tuition and fees average $4,144, while out-of-state students pay about $9,094. Typical student debt for culinary arts/chef training graduates is $14,382. 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.
Mott Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in culinary arts/chef training, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Flint, Mott Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,845, with out-of-state students paying around $11,460. Typical student debt for culinary arts/chef training graduates is $20,645. Early-career culinary arts/chef training graduates make about $37,989. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakland Community College came in at #6 for value in culinary arts/chef training this year. Oakland Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Auburn Hills. Students from in state pay about $3,120 in tuition and fees, 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. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Oakland Community College earn a median of $43,205 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,865 median debt.
Northwestern Michigan College placed #7 among the best values for culinary arts/chef training. Northwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Traverse City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,860, with out-of-state students paying around $13,476. Students borrow a median of $14,199 to complete the culinary arts/chef training program here. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Northwestern Michigan College generally make around $26,586. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grand Rapids Community College placed #8 among the best values for culinary arts/chef training. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,179 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,219. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates carry a median of $13,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Grand Rapids Community College generally make around $26,052. Set against $13,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Baker College Of Flint came in at #9 for value in culinary arts/chef training this year. Located in the town of Owosso, Baker College Of Flint is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,000. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the culinary arts/chef training program here. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Baker College Of Flint generally make around $25,204. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Baker College Of Flint admits about 82% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
