2027 Best Culinary Arts/Chef Training Schools in the Southwest Region
Culinary Arts/Chef Training degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 32 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 Southwest 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
El Centro College is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in culinary arts/chef training. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. About 141 culinary arts/chef training degrees were awarded at El Centro College in the most recent year. Students who receive their culinary arts/chef training degree from El Centro College earn around $31,127 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $9,218 to complete this degree.
Get the full culinary arts/chef training details for El Centro College
Austin Community College District is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in culinary arts/chef training, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. Austin Community College District awarded about 16 culinary arts/chef training degrees in the most recent data year. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,519 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in culinary arts/chef training from Austin Community College District
Lee College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best culinary arts/chef training schools. This large public university is located in the city of Baytown. Lee College awarded about 124 culinary arts/chef training degrees in the most recent data year. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Lee College earn a median of $53,448 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $10,941.
More information about a degree in culinary arts/chef training from Lee College
Students looking for a strong culinary arts/chef training program will find one at Texarkana College, which ranked #4. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Texarkana. There were roughly 59 culinary arts/chef training students who graduated with this degree at Texarkana College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Texarkana College generally make around $19,284. Texarkana College graduates carry a median of $11,686 in student loans.
More information about a degree in culinary arts/chef training from Texarkana College
Scottsdale Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best culinary arts/chef training schools. Scottsdale Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Scottsdale. There were roughly 18 culinary arts/chef training students who graduated with this degree at Scottsdale Community College in the most recent data year. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Scottsdale Community College earn a median of $48,039 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,084 to complete this degree.
Get the full culinary arts/chef training details for Scottsdale Community College
Alvin Community College came in at #6 for culinary arts/chef training this year. Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Alvin. There were roughly 39 culinary arts/chef training students who graduated with this degree at Alvin Community College in the most recent data year. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Alvin Community College earn a median of $55,057 early in their careers. Alvin Community College graduates carry a median of $8,600 in student loans.
Read more about the culinary arts/chef training program at Alvin Community College
Collin County Community College District came in at #7 for culinary arts/chef training this year. Set in the suburb of McKinney, Collin County Community College District is a very large public institution. There were roughly 39 culinary arts/chef training students who graduated with this degree at Collin County Community College District in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Collin County Community College District generally make around $42,177. Students borrow a median of $9,716 to complete this degree.
Read more about the culinary arts/chef training program at Collin County Community College District
Estrella Mountain Community College came in at #8 for culinary arts/chef training this year. Set in the suburb of Avondale, Estrella Mountain Community College is a large public institution. Estrella Mountain Community College awarded about 73 culinary arts/chef training degrees in the most recent data year. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Estrella Mountain Community College earn a median of $78,359 early in their careers. Estrella Mountain Community College graduates carry a median of $21,752 in student loans.
Read more about the culinary arts/chef training program at Estrella Mountain Community College
College Of The Mainland ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best culinary arts/chef training schools. College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Texas City. There were roughly 11 culinary arts/chef training students who graduated with this degree at College Of The Mainland in the most recent data year. Graduates of the culinary arts/chef training program make about $40,788 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,928.
Get the full culinary arts/chef training details for College Of The Mainland
Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best culinary arts/chef training schools. Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Okmulgee. There were roughly 36 culinary arts/chef training students who graduated with this degree at Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee in the most recent data year. Graduates of the culinary arts/chef training program make about $25,272 in their early career. Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee graduates carry a median of $12,500 in student loans.
Get the full culinary arts/chef training details for Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee
Tarrant County College District earned the #11 position for culinary arts/chef training this year. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public institution. Tarrant County College District awarded about 67 culinary arts/chef training degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their culinary arts/chef training degree from Tarrant County College District earn around $45,158 in the first couple years of their career. Tarrant County College District graduates carry a median of $15,148 in student loans.
More information about a degree in culinary arts/chef training from Tarrant County College District
San Jacinto Community College landed the #12 spot for culinary arts/chef training this year. San Jacinto Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. About 30 culinary arts/chef training degrees were awarded at San Jacinto Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the culinary arts/chef training program make about $38,107 in their early career. San Jacinto Community College graduates carry a median of $11,376 in student loans.
Read more about the culinary arts/chef training program at San Jacinto Community College
Texas State Technical College placed #13 among the best culinary arts/chef training schools. Located in the city of Waco, Texas State Technical College is a large public university. About 46 culinary arts/chef training degrees were awarded at Texas State Technical College in the most recent year. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Texas State Technical College earn a median of $24,036 early in their careers. Texas State Technical College graduates carry a median of $10,861 in student loans.
More information about a degree in culinary arts/chef training from Texas State Technical College
Grayson College placed #14 among the best culinary arts/chef training schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the rural area of Denison. About 18 culinary arts/chef training degrees were awarded at Grayson College in the most recent year. Students who receive their culinary arts/chef training degree from Grayson College earn around $42,487 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $11,627 to complete this degree.
See the full culinary arts/chef training program report for Grayson College
Central New Mexico Community College placed #15 among the best culinary arts/chef training schools. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Central New Mexico Community College awarded about 18 culinary arts/chef training degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their culinary arts/chef training degree from Central New Mexico Community College earn around $23,139 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in culinary arts/chef training from Central New Mexico Community College
Tyler Junior College placed #16 among the best culinary arts/chef training schools. This large public university is located in the city of Tyler. About 48 culinary arts/chef training degrees were awarded at Tyler Junior College in the most recent year. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Tyler Junior College earn a median of $43,348 early in their careers. Tyler Junior College graduates carry a median of $14,869 in student loans.
Get the full culinary arts/chef training details for Tyler Junior College
Odessa College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best culinary arts/chef training schools. Odessa College is a large public school located in the city of Odessa. There were roughly 47 culinary arts/chef training students who graduated with this degree at Odessa College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the culinary arts/chef training program make about $47,856 in their early career. Odessa College graduates carry a median of $9,087 in student loans.
More information about a degree in culinary arts/chef training from Odessa College
South Plains College came in at #18 for culinary arts/chef training this year. South Plains College is a large public school located in the town of Levelland. There were roughly 45 culinary arts/chef training students who graduated with this degree at South Plains College in the most recent data year. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of South Plains College earn a median of $30,949 early in their careers. South Plains College graduates carry a median of $13,788 in student loans.
Get the full culinary arts/chef training details for South Plains College
Central Arizona College came in at #19 for culinary arts/chef training this year. Located in the rural area of Coolidge, Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public university. Central Arizona College awarded about 10 culinary arts/chef training degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Central Arizona College generally make around $48,826. Students borrow a median of $11,635 to complete this degree.
Get the full culinary arts/chef training details for Central Arizona College
Arizona Western College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best culinary arts/chef training schools. Located in the city of Yuma, Arizona Western College is a large public university. Arizona Western College awarded about 20 culinary arts/chef training degrees in the most recent data year. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Arizona Western College earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers.
More information about a degree in culinary arts/chef training from Arizona Western College
Galveston College earned the #21 position for culinary arts/chef training this year. Located in the city of Galveston, Galveston College is a mid-sized public university. About 20 culinary arts/chef training degrees were awarded at Galveston College in the most recent year. Students who receive their culinary arts/chef training degree from Galveston College earn around $51,165 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,183 to complete this degree.
Read more about the culinary arts/chef training program at Galveston College
St Philips College earned the #22 position for culinary arts/chef training this year. St Philips College is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. About 113 culinary arts/chef training degrees were awarded at St Philips College in the most recent year. Graduates of the culinary arts/chef training program make about $45,185 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,653.
See the full culinary arts/chef training program report for St Philips College
South Texas College came in at #23 for culinary arts/chef training this year. This very large public university is located in the city of McAllen. Roughly 20% of students complete a degree within six years here. South Texas College awarded about 56 culinary arts/chef training degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the culinary arts/chef training program make about $24,084 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $6,868.
See the full culinary arts/chef training program report for South Texas College
Lamar State College Port Arthur came in at #24 for culinary arts/chef training this year. Located in the city of Port Arthur, Lamar State College Port Arthur is a moderately-sized public university. Lamar State College Port Arthur awarded about 81 culinary arts/chef training degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Lamar State College Port Arthur generally make around $78,580. Students borrow a median of $33,385 to complete this degree.
Get the full culinary arts/chef training details for Lamar State College Port Arthur
Houston Community College came in at #25 for culinary arts/chef training this year. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public university. Houston Community College awarded about 29 culinary arts/chef training degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the culinary arts/chef training program make about $26,419 in their early career. Houston Community College graduates carry a median of $26,217 in student loans.
More information about a degree in culinary arts/chef training from Houston Community College
Rest of the Top 32 Culinary Arts/Chef Training Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong culinary arts/chef training education:
Narrow Culinary Arts/Chef Training Schools by State
More Culinary Arts/Chef Training Rankings
View All Culinary Arts/Chef Training Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 32 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.
