2027 Best Culinary Arts/Chef Training Schools in the Southeast Region
Culinary Arts/Chef Training is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 80 schools to find the best for culinary arts/chef training students.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Culinary Arts/Chef Training in the Southeast Region
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the culinary arts/chef training degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Culinary Arts/Chef Training
No school ranked higher than Miami Dade College this year for culinary arts/chef training. This very large public university is located in the city of Miami. About 61 culinary arts/chef training degrees were awarded at Miami Dade College in the most recent year. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Miami Dade College earn a median of $31,101 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $10,882.
More information about a degree in culinary arts/chef training from Miami Dade College
South Georgia Technical College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in culinary arts/chef training, ranking #2. Set in the town of Americus, South Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. About 15 culinary arts/chef training degrees were awarded at South Georgia Technical College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from South Georgia Technical College generally make around $40,497. South Georgia Technical College graduates carry a median of $10,423 in student loans.
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Indian River State College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in culinary arts/chef training, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 31 culinary arts/chef training students who graduated with this degree at Indian River State College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the culinary arts/chef training program make about $44,082 in their early career. Indian River State College graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans.
More information about a degree in culinary arts/chef training from Indian River State College
Students looking for a strong culinary arts/chef training program will find one at Johnson And Wales University Charlotte, which ranked #4. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Charlotte. Roughly 34% of students complete a degree within six years here. Johnson And Wales University Charlotte awarded about 105 culinary arts/chef training degrees in the most recent data year. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Johnson And Wales University Charlotte earn a median of $30,145 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,873.
See the full culinary arts/chef training program report for Johnson And Wales University Charlotte
Pensacola State College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best culinary arts/chef training schools. This large public university is located in the city of Pensacola. About 20 culinary arts/chef training degrees were awarded at Pensacola State College in the most recent year. Students who receive their culinary arts/chef training degree from Pensacola State College earn around $45,811 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete this degree.
See the full culinary arts/chef training program report for Pensacola State College
Wake Technical Community College placed #6 among the best culinary arts/chef training schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Raleigh. Wake Technical Community College awarded about 52 culinary arts/chef training degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Wake Technical Community College generally make around $38,673. Typical student debt for the program is $13,226.
See the full culinary arts/chef training program report for Wake Technical Community College
Northwest Arkansas Community College earned the #7 position for culinary arts/chef training this year. Set in the city of Bentonville, Northwest Arkansas Community College is a large public institution. About 68 culinary arts/chef training degrees were awarded at Northwest Arkansas Community College in the most recent year. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Northwest Arkansas Community College earn a median of $26,011 early in their careers. Northwest Arkansas Community College graduates carry a median of $12,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in culinary arts/chef training from Northwest Arkansas Community College
Central Piedmont Community College came in at #8 for culinary arts/chef training this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. Central Piedmont Community College awarded about 125 culinary arts/chef training degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $27,127. Students borrow a median of $11,861 to complete this degree.
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Florida State College At Jacksonville landed the #9 spot for culinary arts/chef training this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Jacksonville. There were roughly 18 culinary arts/chef training students who graduated with this degree at Florida State College At Jacksonville in the most recent data year. Students who receive their culinary arts/chef training degree from Florida State College At Jacksonville earn around $46,748 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,139.
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Southern Crescent Technical College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best culinary arts/chef training schools. Located in the town of Griffin, Southern Crescent Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 15 culinary arts/chef training students who graduated with this degree at Southern Crescent Technical College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their culinary arts/chef training degree from Southern Crescent Technical College earn around $45,062 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,619.
Read more about the culinary arts/chef training program at Southern Crescent Technical College
Trident Technical College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best culinary arts/chef training schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Charleston. Trident Technical College awarded about 118 culinary arts/chef training degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their culinary arts/chef training degree from Trident Technical College earn around $50,166 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,000.
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Valencia College placed #12 among the best culinary arts/chef training schools. Located in the city of Orlando, Valencia College is a very large public university. There were roughly 113 culinary arts/chef training students who graduated with this degree at Valencia College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the culinary arts/chef training program make about $25,227 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,468 to complete this degree.
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Hillsborough Community College placed #13 among the best culinary arts/chef training schools. Located in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public university. Hillsborough Community College awarded about 34 culinary arts/chef training degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the culinary arts/chef training program make about $29,451 in their early career. Hillsborough Community College graduates carry a median of $19,657 in student loans.
More information about a degree in culinary arts/chef training from Hillsborough Community College
Lanier Technical College came in at #14 for culinary arts/chef training this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, Lanier Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. About 11 culinary arts/chef training degrees were awarded at Lanier Technical College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Lanier Technical College generally make around $37,118. Lanier Technical College graduates carry a median of $12,278 in student loans.
Read more about the culinary arts/chef training program at Lanier Technical College
Nicholls State University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best culinary arts/chef training schools. Set in the city of Thibodaux, Nicholls State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 46 culinary arts/chef training degrees were awarded at Nicholls State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Nicholls State University generally make around $23,038. Typical student debt for the program is $26,063.
Read more about the culinary arts/chef training program at Nicholls State University
Sowela Technical Community College came in at #16 for culinary arts/chef training this year. Located in the city of Lake Charles, Sowela Technical Community College is a mid-sized public university. Sowela Technical Community College awarded about 120 culinary arts/chef training degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Sowela Technical Community College generally make around $45,827. Sowela Technical Community College graduates carry a median of $7,391 in student loans.
More information about a degree in culinary arts/chef training from Sowela Technical Community College
Gwinnett Technical College landed the #17 spot for culinary arts/chef training this year. Set in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Gwinnett Technical College is a large public institution. There were roughly 26 culinary arts/chef training students who graduated with this degree at Gwinnett Technical College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Gwinnett Technical College generally make around $39,288. Students borrow a median of $18,048 to complete this degree.
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Wiregrass Georgia Technical College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best culinary arts/chef training schools. Set in the rural area of Valdosta, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Wiregrass Georgia Technical College awarded about 26 culinary arts/chef training degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their culinary arts/chef training degree from Wiregrass Georgia Technical College earn around $40,452 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,864.
See the full culinary arts/chef training program report for Wiregrass Georgia Technical College
Ecpi University placed #19 among the best culinary arts/chef training schools. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Ecpi University is a large private for-profit university. Ecpi University graduates 28% of students within six years. Ecpi University awarded about 95 culinary arts/chef training degrees in the most recent data year. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Ecpi University earn a median of $21,480 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,744 to complete this degree.
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Fayetteville Technical Community College landed the #20 spot for culinary arts/chef training this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public institution. Fayetteville Technical Community College awarded about 38 culinary arts/chef training degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their culinary arts/chef training degree from Fayetteville Technical Community College earn around $40,584 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,909 to complete this degree.
Read more about the culinary arts/chef training program at Fayetteville Technical Community College
Wilkes Community College earned the #21 position for culinary arts/chef training this year. Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wilkesboro. About 25 culinary arts/chef training degrees were awarded at Wilkes Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Wilkes Community College generally make around $36,341. Typical student debt for the program is $9,125.
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Nashville State Community College came in at #22 for culinary arts/chef training this year. Nashville State Community College is a large public school located in the city of Nashville. About 59 culinary arts/chef training degrees were awarded at Nashville State Community College in the most recent year. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Nashville State Community College earn a median of $41,456 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,745.
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George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville came in at #23 for culinary arts/chef training this year. George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Hanceville. George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville awarded about 42 culinary arts/chef training degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the culinary arts/chef training program make about $40,017 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,146.
See the full culinary arts/chef training program report for George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville
Cape Fear Community College earned the #24 position for culinary arts/chef training this year. Located in the city of Wilmington, Cape Fear Community College is a very large public university. About 38 culinary arts/chef training degrees were awarded at Cape Fear Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their culinary arts/chef training degree from Cape Fear Community College earn around $42,889 in the first couple years of their career. Cape Fear Community College graduates carry a median of $12,388 in student loans.
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Mitchell Community College placed #25 among the best culinary arts/chef training schools. Mitchell Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Statesville. There were roughly 16 culinary arts/chef training students who graduated with this degree at Mitchell Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the culinary arts/chef training program make about $40,450 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $6,313.
See the full culinary arts/chef training program report for Mitchell Community College
Rest of the Top 50 Culinary Arts/Chef Training Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s culinary arts/chef training ranking:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 80 schools evaluated.
- 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.
