2027 Best Value Culinary Arts/Chef Training Schools in the Middle Atlantic 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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 30 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for culinary arts/chef training students.
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2027 Best Value Culinary Arts/Chef Training Schools in the Middle Atlantic 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
For return on investment in culinary arts/chef training, no school beat Suffolk County Community College this year. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,630, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates carry a median of $11,246 in student loans. 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.
A rank of #2 makes Middlesex County College one of the best values for culinary arts/chef training. Middlesex County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Edison. In-state tuition and fees average $4,764, compared with $7,356 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,514 to complete the culinary arts/chef training program here. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Middlesex County College earn a median of $37,975 early in their careers. Set against $9,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Westmoreland County Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value culinary arts/chef training schools. Located in the suburb of Youngwood, Westmoreland County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,306 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,728. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the culinary arts/chef training program here. Median earnings reach $37,439 ten years out. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Mercer County Community College earned it the #4 place for culinary arts/chef training. Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of West Windsor. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,310, with out-of-state students paying around $9,174. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates carry a median of $12,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Mercer County Community College generally make around $45,389. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Nassau Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value culinary arts/chef training schools. Nassau Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Garden City. Students from in state pay about $6,330 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,130. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates carry a median of $11,850 in student loans. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Nassau Community College earn a median of $38,734 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Niagara County Community College landed the #6 spot for culinary arts/chef training value this year. Set in the rural area of Sanborn, Niagara County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,894 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,030 for out-of-state students. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Early-career culinary arts/chef training graduates make about $26,514. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Monroe Community College earned the #7 position for value in culinary arts/chef training this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,006, while out-of-state students pay about $11,056. Students borrow a median of $12,921 to complete the culinary arts/chef training program here. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Monroe Community College earn a median of $38,757 early in their careers. Set against $12,921 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hudson County Community College placed #8 among the best values for culinary arts/chef training. Set in the city of Jersey City, Hudson County Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,384, compared with $9,248 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,900 to complete the culinary arts/chef training program here. Early-career culinary arts/chef training graduates make about $26,170. Set against $12,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Atlantic Cape Community College came in at #9 for value in culinary arts/chef training this year. Located in the rural area of Mays Landing, Atlantic Cape Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,594, with out-of-state students paying around $8,350. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Atlantic Cape Community College earn a median of $31,639 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Erie Community College landed the #10 spot for culinary arts/chef training value this year. Set in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,100, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Students borrow a median of $6,439 to complete the culinary arts/chef training program here. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Erie Community College earn a median of $15,565 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,439 median debt.
Passaic County Community College came in at #11 for value in culinary arts/chef training this year. Located in the suburb of Paterson, Passaic County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,300 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,560. Typical student debt for culinary arts/chef training graduates is $9,581. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Passaic County Community College earn a median of $28,957 early in their careers. Set against $9,581 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Prince Georges Community College landed the #12 spot for culinary arts/chef training value this year. Located in the suburb of Largo, Prince Georges Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,034 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,762 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,949 to complete the culinary arts/chef training program here. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Prince Georges Community College generally make around $56,960. Set against $13,949 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Schenectady County Community College came in at #13 for value in culinary arts/chef training this year. Set in the city of Schenectady, Schenectady County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,190 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,974. Median earnings reach $40,902 ten years out.
Allegany College Of Maryland placed #14 among the best values for culinary arts/chef training. Located in the town of Cumberland, Allegany College Of Maryland is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,940 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,620 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for culinary arts/chef training graduates is $18,823. Early-career culinary arts/chef training graduates make about $42,542. That is a strong return on a $18,823 median debt.
Frederick Community College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value culinary arts/chef training schools. Set in the city of Frederick, Frederick Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,849 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,042. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates carry a median of $10,778 in student loans. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Frederick Community College generally make around $43,733. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Brookdale Community College placed #16 among the best values for culinary arts/chef training. Located in the suburb of Lincroft, Brookdale Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,270, while out-of-state students pay about $10,140. Typical student debt for culinary arts/chef training graduates is $12,651. Early-career culinary arts/chef training graduates make about $37,374. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Adirondack Community College came in at #17 for value in culinary arts/chef training this year. Located in the suburb of Queensbury, Adirondack Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,844, compared with $9,616 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,358 to complete the culinary arts/chef training program here. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Adirondack Community College earn a median of $31,590 early in their careers. Set against $12,358 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Montgomery County Community College earned the #18 position for value in culinary arts/chef training this year. Montgomery County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Blue Bell. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,690, with out-of-state students paying around $17,250. Students borrow a median of $15,417 to complete the culinary arts/chef training program here. Early-career culinary arts/chef training graduates make about $30,324. Set against $15,417 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Delaware Technical Community College Terry placed #19 among the best values for culinary arts/chef training. Located in the city of Dover, Delaware Technical Community College Terry is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,332, compared with $5,763 for out-of-state students. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates carry a median of $11,154 in student loans. Early-career culinary arts/chef training graduates make about $26,031. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northampton County Area Community College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value culinary arts/chef training schools. Set in the suburb of Bethlehem, Northampton County Area Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,550, compared with $15,270 for out-of-state students. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates carry a median of $18,900 in student loans. Early-career culinary arts/chef training graduates make about $35,960. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ocean County Vocational Technical School placed #21 among the best values for culinary arts/chef training. Set in the suburb of Toms River, Ocean County Vocational Technical School is a small public institution. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Ocean County Vocational Technical School earn a median of $16,566 early in their careers.
Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg came in at #22 for value in culinary arts/chef training this year. Located in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,975 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,472. Typical student debt for culinary arts/chef training graduates is $20,867. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg generally make around $41,382. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Monroe College Main Campus landed the #23 spot for culinary arts/chef training value this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Monroe College Main Campus is a large private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,464. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates carry a median of $13,364 in student loans. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Monroe College Main Campus generally make around $18,256. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Suny College Of Technology At Alfred placed #24 among the best values for culinary arts/chef training. Located in the rural area of Alfred, Suny College Of Technology At Alfred is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,892, compared with $16,837 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for culinary arts/chef training graduates is $12,000. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Suny College Of Technology At Alfred earn a median of $26,598 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earned the #25 position for value in culinary arts/chef training this year. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Indiana. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,380, compared with $16,297 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the culinary arts/chef training program here. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earn a median of $29,155 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 30 Best Value Culinary Arts/Chef Training Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for culinary arts/chef training this year:
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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 · 30 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 30 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.
