2027 Best Value Culinary Arts/Chef Training Schools in the The Plains States 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 13 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 The Plains States Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the culinary arts/chef training degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Culinary Arts/Chef Training Schools
Leading the list is Metropolitan Community College Area, our #1 best value for culinary arts/chef training in the The Plains States Region. Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public school located in the city of Omaha. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,375, while out-of-state students pay about $4,950. Students borrow a median of $12,799 to complete the culinary arts/chef training program here. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Metropolitan Community College Area earn a median of $45,583 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,799 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in culinary arts/chef training will find it at St Charles Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Cottleville, St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,810, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates carry a median of $12,606 in student loans. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of St Charles Community College earn a median of $47,228 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ozarks Technical Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in culinary arts/chef training, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,256, compared with $7,040 for out-of-state students. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates carry a median of $10,501 in student loans. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Ozarks Technical Community College earn a median of $25,879 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,501 median debt.
Saint Louis Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value culinary arts/chef training schools. Located in the suburb of Bridgeton, Saint Louis 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 $6,990. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates carry a median of $11,424 in student loans. Early-career culinary arts/chef training graduates make about $26,318. That is a strong return on a $11,424 median debt.
Western Iowa Tech Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in culinary arts/chef training, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,186, compared with $5,330 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,530 to complete the culinary arts/chef training program here. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Western Iowa Tech Community College earn a median of $24,061 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wichita Area Technical College landed the #6 spot for culinary arts/chef training value this year. Wichita Area Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wichita. In-state tuition and fees average $7,237. Typical student debt for culinary arts/chef training graduates is $11,828. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Wichita Area Technical College generally make around $35,358. Set against $11,828 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kirkwood Community College placed #7 among the best values for culinary arts/chef training. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,176, compared with $8,220 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for culinary arts/chef training graduates is $15,375. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Kirkwood Community College generally make around $21,391. That is a strong return on a $15,375 median debt.
Hennepin Technical College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value culinary arts/chef training schools. Located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, Hennepin Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,940. Students borrow a median of $17,887 to complete the culinary arts/chef training program here. Early-career culinary arts/chef training graduates make about $52,059. That is a strong return on a $17,887 median debt.
Des Moines Area Community College landed the #9 spot for culinary arts/chef training value this year. Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ankeny. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,790, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates carry a median of $11,167 in student loans. Early-career culinary arts/chef training graduates make about $26,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College came in at #10 for value in culinary arts/chef training this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,326 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the culinary arts/chef training program here. Early-career culinary arts/chef training graduates make about $32,478. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern Iowa Community College District came in at #11 for value in culinary arts/chef training this year. Set in the city of Davenport, Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,848 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,456. Students borrow a median of $15,995 to complete the culinary arts/chef training program here. Early-career culinary arts/chef training graduates make about $41,510. Set against $15,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Johnson County Community College earned the #12 position for value in culinary arts/chef training this year. Set in the city of Overland Park, Johnson County Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,424, while out-of-state students pay about $5,688. Typical student debt for culinary arts/chef training graduates is $13,532. Early-career culinary arts/chef training graduates make about $38,977. Set against $13,532 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Iowa Western Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value culinary arts/chef training schools. Located in the suburb of Council Bluffs, Iowa Western Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,930 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,080. Typical student debt for culinary arts/chef training graduates is $15,153. Early-career culinary arts/chef training graduates make about $43,444. That is a strong return on a $15,153 median debt.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.
