2026 Best Culinary Arts/Chef Training Schools in Iowa
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.
College Factual analyzed 7 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best culinary arts/chef training schools.
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Best Schools for Culinary Arts/Chef Training in Iowa
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
Des Moines Area Community College is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in culinary arts/chef training. Located in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public university. About 28 culinary arts/chef training degrees were awarded at Des Moines Area Community College in the most recent year. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Des Moines Area Community College earn a median of $26,913 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $11,167 to complete this degree.
See the full culinary arts/chef training program report for Des Moines Area Community College
Iowa Western Community College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in culinary arts/chef training, ranking #2. Iowa Western Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Council Bluffs. Iowa Western Community College awarded about 12 culinary arts/chef training degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the culinary arts/chef training program make about $43,444 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,153 to complete this degree.
Read more about the culinary arts/chef training program at Iowa Western Community College
Kirkwood Community College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in culinary arts/chef training, ranking #3. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public university. Kirkwood Community College awarded about 36 culinary arts/chef training degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Kirkwood Community College generally make around $21,391. Students borrow a median of $15,375 to complete this degree.
See the full culinary arts/chef training program report for Kirkwood Community College
Western Iowa Tech Community College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in culinary arts/chef training, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 36 culinary arts/chef training degrees were awarded at Western Iowa Tech Community College in the most recent year. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Western Iowa Tech Community College earn a median of $24,061 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $12,530.
Get the full culinary arts/chef training details for Western Iowa Tech Community College
A rank of #5 makes Eastern Iowa Community College District one of the top schools for culinary arts/chef training. Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public school located in the city of Davenport. Eastern Iowa Community College District awarded about 19 culinary arts/chef training degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their culinary arts/chef training degree from Eastern Iowa Community College District earn around $41,510 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,995.
Get the full culinary arts/chef training details for Eastern Iowa Community College District
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 7 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.
