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2022 Best Value Colleges for Culinary Arts (Income $30-$48k) in the Southwest Region

28 Ranked Colleges
2,671 Degrees Awarded
$7,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Culinary Arts Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Culinary Arts Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2019-2020, 21,906 people earned their degree in culinary arts, making the major the 80th most popular in the United States. In 2017-2018, culinary arts graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $23,822 and had an average of $19,004 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Southwest region, there were 2,671 culinary arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $23,641 and $21,214 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Culinary Arts Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 28 colleges that offer a degree in culinary arts. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent culinary arts programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the culinary arts program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Culinary Arts Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Culinary Arts Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for southwest region culinary arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Culinary Arts (Income $30-$48k) in the Southwest Region

#1

El Centro College

Dallas, Texas

Out of the 28 schools in the Best Value Culinary Arts Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, El Centro College landed the #1 spot on the list. El Centro College is located in Dallas, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 128 ’s culinary arts degrees to qualified students.

El Centro College also made our “Best Culinary Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #1. The estimated yearly cost for El Centro College is $4,228 for southwest region culinary arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full El Centro College Culinary Arts Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Austin Community College District. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Culinary Arts Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Austin Community College District is a public institution located in Austin, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 29 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region culinary arts students whose families make $30-$48k list, Austin Community College District has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Culinary Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Austin Community College District is $4,362 for Southwest Region Culinary Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Culinary Arts at Austin Community College District

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Culinary Arts Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. OSU Institute of Technology is a small school located in Okmulgee, Oklahoma that handed out 29 ’s culinary arts degrees in 2019-2020.

OSU Institute of Technology did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Culinary Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend OSU Institute of Technology is $4,299 for southwest region culinary arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Culinary Arts at Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology

#4

Central New Mexico Community College

Albuquerque, New Mexico

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Central New Mexico Community College. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Culinary Arts Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Central New Mexico Community College is located in Albuquerque, New Mexico and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 118 ’s culinary arts degrees to qualified students.

CNM did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Culinary Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Central New Mexico Community College is $3,626 for southwest region culinary arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full CNM Culinary Arts Report

#5

Grayson College

Denison, Texas

Out of the 28 schools in the Best Value Culinary Arts Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Grayson College landed the #5 spot on the list. Grayson College is a small public school situated in Denison, Texas. It awarded 13 ’s culinary arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Grayson College also took the #14 spot in our “Best Culinary Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Grayson College is $7,336 for Southwest Region Culinary Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Culinary Arts at Grayson College

#6

Houston Community College

Houston, Texas

With a ranking of #6, Houston Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Culinary Arts Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Houston, Texas, and it awarded 65 ’s culinary arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Houston Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Culinary Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Houston Community College is $5,351 for southwest region culinary arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Houston Community College Culinary Arts Report

#7

Lee College

Baytown, Texas

Lee College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Culinary Arts Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Lee College is a medium-sized public school situated in Baytown, Texas. It awarded 88 ’s culinary arts degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Lee College, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Culinary Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Lee College is $6,555 for Southwest Region Culinary Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Culinary Arts at Lee College

#8

El Paso Community College

El Paso, Texas

El Paso Community College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Culinary Arts Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. El Paso, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s culinary arts degrees to 90 students in 2019-2020.

El Paso Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Culinary Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for El Paso Community College is $4,609 for Southwest Region Culinary Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full El Paso Community College Culinary Arts Report

#9

St Philip's College

San Antonio, Texas

With a ranking of #9, St Philip’s College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Culinary Arts Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in San Antonio, Texas, this fairly large public school handed out 150 degrees to qualified ’s culinary arts students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at St Philip’s College, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Culinary Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $6,522 for Southwest Region Culinary Arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend St Philip’s College.

Read more about Culinary Arts at St Philip’s College

#10

South Plains College

Levelland, Texas

South Plains College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Culinary Arts Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. South Plains College is a medium-sized school located in Levelland, Texas that handed out 51 ’s culinary arts degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at South Plains College, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Culinary Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $7,419 for Southwest Region Culinary Arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend South Plains College.

Full South Plains College Culinary Arts Report

Collin County Community College District ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Culinary Arts Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Collin County Community College District is a large school located in McKinney, Texas that handed out 34 ’s culinary arts degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region culinary arts students whose families make $30-$48k list, Collin County Community College District has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Culinary Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Collin County Community College District is $5,536 for southwest region culinary arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Collin County Community College District Culinary Arts Report

#12

Tarrant County College District

Fort Worth, Texas

Tarrant County College District ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Culinary Arts Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Fort Worth, Texas, this large public school handed out 45 degrees to qualified ’s culinary arts students in 2019-2020.

Tarrant County College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Culinary Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Tarrant County College District is $5,742 for southwest region culinary arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Culinary Arts at Tarrant County College

#13

Pima Community College

Tucson, Arizona

With a ranking of #13, Pima Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Culinary Arts Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Pima Community College is a fairly large school located in Tucson, Arizona that handed out 44 ’s culinary arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Pima County Community College District not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Culinary Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Pima County Community College District is $3,417 for southwest region culinary arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Culinary Arts at Pima County Community College District

#14

Del Mar College

Corpus Christi, Texas

Del Mar College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Culinary Arts Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #14. DMC is a public institution located in Corpus Christi, Texas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 8 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region culinary arts students whose families make $30-$48k list, DMC has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Culinary Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $5,957 for southwest region culinary arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Del Mar College.

Read more about Culinary Arts at Del Mar College

With a ranking of #15, San Jacinto Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Culinary Arts Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. San Jacinto Community College is a large school located in Pasadena, Texas that handed out 66 ’s culinary arts degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at San Jacinto College, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Culinary Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend San Jacinto College is $8,502 for Southwest Region Culinary Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Culinary Arts at San Jacinto College

Texas State Technical College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Culinary Arts Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #16. This fairly large school is located in Waco, Texas, and it awarded 56 ’s culinary arts degrees in 2019-2020.

TSTC also took the #7 spot in our “Best Culinary Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Texas State Technical College is $9,067 for southwest region culinary arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Culinary Arts at TSTC

#17

Odessa College

Odessa, Texas

Odessa College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Culinary Arts Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #17. Odessa College is a medium-sized school located in Odessa, Texas that handed out 40 ’s culinary arts degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region culinary arts students whose families make $30-$48k list, Odessa College has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Culinary Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Odessa College is $6,129 for southwest region culinary arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Culinary Arts at Odessa College

#18

New Mexico State University - Dona Ana

Las Cruces, New Mexico

New Mexico State University - Dona Ana did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Culinary Arts Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #18. New Mexico State University - Dona Ana is a medium-sized school located in Las Cruces, New Mexico that handed out 11 ’s culinary arts degrees in 2019-2020.

NMSU Dona Ana not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Culinary Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $5,658 for southwest region culinary arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend New Mexico State University - Dona Ana.

Read full report on Culinary Arts at New Mexico State University - Dona Ana

#19

Texarkana College

Texarkana, Texas

Texarkana College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Culinary Arts Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #19. Texarkana College is located in Texarkana, Texas and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 40 ’s culinary arts degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Texarkana College, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Culinary Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $6,059 for southwest region culinary arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Texarkana College.

Read more about Culinary Arts at Texarkana College

#20

Northeast Texas Community College

Mount Pleasant, Texas

Northeast Texas Community College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Culinary Arts Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Mount Pleasant, Texas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s culinary arts degrees to 15 students in 2019-2020.

NTCC also took the #23 spot in our “Best Culinary Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $7,441 for Southwest Region Culinary Arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend NTCC.

Read more about Culinary Arts at NTCC

#21

Mohave Community College

Kingman, Arizona

With a ranking of #21, Mohave Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Culinary Arts Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. MCC is a small public school situated in Kingman, Arizona. It awarded 4 ’s culinary arts degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at MCC, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best Culinary Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for MCC is $9,338 for Southwest Region Culinary Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Mohave Community College Culinary Arts Report

Estrella Mountain Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Culinary Arts Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #22. Located in Avondale, Arizona, this medium-sized public school awarded 34 degrees to qualified ’s culinary arts students in 2019-2020.

Estrella Mountain Community College also took the #19 spot in our “Best Culinary Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Estrella Mountain Community College is $8,740 for Southwest Region Culinary Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Culinary Arts at Estrella Mountain Community College

#23

Scottsdale Community College

Scottsdale, Arizona

With a ranking of #23, Scottsdale Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Culinary Arts Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Scottsdale, Arizona, this medium-sized public school handed out 74 degrees to qualified ’s culinary arts students in 2019-2020.

Scottsdale Community College also made our “Best Culinary Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #9. The yearly cost to attend Scottsdale Community College is $10,103 for southwest region culinary arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Scottsdale Community College Culinary Arts Report

The Art Institute of Houston landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Culinary Arts Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. The Art Institute of Houston is a private for-profit institution located in Houston, Texas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 61 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Ai Houston also made our “Best Culinary Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #4. The estimated yearly cost for The Art Institute of Houston is $21,747 for Southwest Region Culinary Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Culinary Arts at The Art Institute of Houston

Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts - Austin landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Culinary Arts Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Austin, Texas, this small private for-profit school handed out 271 diplomas to qualified ’s culinary arts students in 2019-2020.

Escoffier - Austin also made our “Best Culinary Arts Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #24. It costs about $14,408 for southwest region culinary arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Escoffier - Austin.

Read full report on Culinary Arts at Escoffier - Austin

Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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