2027 Best Value Culinary Arts/Chef Training Schools in the Southwest 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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 34 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 Southwest 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 El Centro College this year. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. 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 $31,127 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,218 median debt.
College Of The Mainland came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value culinary arts/chef training schools. College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Texas City. In-state tuition and fees average $2,310, compared with $4,140 for out-of-state students. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates carry a median of $10,928 in student loans. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from College Of The Mainland generally make around $40,788. That is a strong return on a $10,928 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in culinary arts/chef training will find it at South Texas College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates carry a median of $6,868 in student loans. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $24,084. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Lamar State College Port Arthur one of the best values for culinary arts/chef training. Lamar State College Port Arthur is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Port Arthur. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,770, with out-of-state students paying around $8,070. Typical student debt for culinary arts/chef training graduates is $33,385. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Lamar State College Port Arthur earn a median of $78,580 early in their careers. Set against $33,385 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Tarrant County College District one of the best values for culinary arts/chef training. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,863, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates carry a median of $15,148 in student loans. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Tarrant County College District generally make around $45,158. That is a strong return on a $15,148 median debt.
Del Mar College placed #6 among the best values for culinary arts/chef training. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,500 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,050 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for culinary arts/chef training graduates is $7,476. 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.
St Philips College placed #7 among the best values for culinary arts/chef training. St Philips College is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. In-state tuition and fees average $3,412, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for culinary arts/chef training graduates is $15,653. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of St Philips College earn a median of $45,185 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Paso Community College placed #8 among the best values for culinary arts/chef training. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Students from in state pay about $3,274 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates carry a median of $8,542 in student loans. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $29,086. That is a strong return on a $8,542 median debt.
Central New Mexico Community College placed #9 among the best values for culinary arts/chef training. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete the culinary arts/chef training program here. Early-career culinary arts/chef training graduates make about $23,139. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.
Central Arizona College placed #10 among the best values for culinary arts/chef training. Set in the rural area of Coolidge, Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,250, with out-of-state students paying around $4,500. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates carry a median of $11,635 in student loans. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Central Arizona College earn a median of $48,826 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Austin Community College District ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value culinary arts/chef training schools. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Students borrow a median of $14,519 to complete the culinary arts/chef training program here. Early-career culinary arts/chef training graduates make about $44,895. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Houston Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value culinary arts/chef training schools. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,040, with out-of-state students paying around $5,460. Typical student debt for culinary arts/chef training graduates is $26,217. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Houston Community College earn a median of $26,419 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,217 median debt.
Grayson College came in at #13 for value in culinary arts/chef training this year. Grayson College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Denison. Students from in state pay about $3,000 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,300. Typical student debt for culinary arts/chef training graduates is $11,627. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Grayson College generally make around $42,487. Set against $11,627 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Laredo Community College earned the #14 position for value in culinary arts/chef training this year. Located in the city of Laredo, Laredo Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,300 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,748. Typical student debt for culinary arts/chef training graduates is $6,000. Early-career culinary arts/chef training graduates make about $41,354. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Odessa College came in at #15 for value in culinary arts/chef training this year. Set in the city of Odessa, Odessa College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,688, with out-of-state students paying around $4,926. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates carry a median of $9,087 in student loans. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Odessa College generally make around $47,856. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
New Mexico State University Dona Ana ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value culinary arts/chef training schools. New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Las Cruces. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,322, with out-of-state students paying around $6,360. Students borrow a median of $10,284 to complete the culinary arts/chef training program here. Early-career culinary arts/chef training graduates make about $39,399. Set against $10,284 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lee College came in at #17 for value in culinary arts/chef training this year. Lee College is a large public school located in the city of Baytown. Students from in state pay about $2,520 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,045. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates carry a median of $10,941 in student loans. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Lee College earn a median of $53,448 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Plains College came in at #18 for value in culinary arts/chef training this year. Set in the town of Levelland, South Plains College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,733, with out-of-state students paying around $5,157. Typical student debt for culinary arts/chef training graduates is $13,788. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of South Plains College earn a median of $30,949 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,788 median debt.
Cochise College landed the #19 spot for culinary arts/chef training value this year. Set in the city of Sierra Vista, Cochise College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,280, while out-of-state students pay about $6,120. Students borrow a median of $12,013 to complete the culinary arts/chef training program here. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Cochise College earn a median of $40,712 early in their careers. Set against $12,013 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Alvin Community College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value culinary arts/chef training schools. Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Alvin. In-state tuition and fees average $1,906, compared with $4,402 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,600 to complete the culinary arts/chef training program here. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Alvin Community College generally make around $55,057. Set against $8,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Galveston College landed the #21 spot for culinary arts/chef training value this year. Located in the city of Galveston, Galveston College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,726, compared with $6,176 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for culinary arts/chef training graduates is $15,183. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Galveston College earn a median of $51,165 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,183 median debt.
Texarkana College landed the #22 spot for culinary arts/chef training value this year. Located in the city of Texarkana, Texarkana College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,476, while out-of-state students pay about $5,332. Students borrow a median of $11,686 to complete the culinary arts/chef training program here. Early-career culinary arts/chef training graduates make about $19,284. That is a strong return on a $11,686 median debt.
Collin County Community College District ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value culinary arts/chef training schools. Set in the suburb of McKinney, Collin County Community College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,014, compared with $6,064 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,716 to complete the culinary arts/chef training program here. Early-career culinary arts/chef training graduates make about $42,177. Set against $9,716 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arizona Western College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value culinary arts/chef training schools. Located in the city of Yuma, Arizona Western College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,060, while out-of-state students pay about $9,870. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Arizona Western College generally make around $44,895.
Tyler Junior College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value culinary arts/chef training schools. Located in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,424 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,536 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for culinary arts/chef training graduates is $14,869. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Tyler Junior College earn a median of $43,348 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,869 median debt.
Rest of the Top 34 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. 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 · 34 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 34 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.
