Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Find Schools Near

2022 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Culinary Arts (With Aid)

223 Ranked Colleges
7,304 Degrees Awarded
$4,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Culinary Arts Schools for an Associate For Those Getting Aid

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Culinary Arts Schools for an Associate For Those Getting Aid” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

Culinary Arts is the 80th most popular major in the country with 21,906 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. 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.

At the associate degree level specifically, there were 7,304 culinary arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $33,082 and $17,678 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Culinary Arts Schools for an Associate For Those Getting Aid” ranking analyzed 223 colleges that offered a degree in culinary arts. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality culinary arts programs that also have a lower cost than 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.

More Ways to Rank Culinary Arts Schools

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Culinary Arts Schools for an Associate For Those Getting Aid” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Culinary Arts Schools for an Associate For Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Culinary Arts Schools for an Associate For Those Getting Aid.

Top 25 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Culinary Arts (With Aid)

#1

Valencia College

Orlando, Florida

Out of the 223 schools in the Best Value Culinary Arts Schools for an Associate For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Valencia College landed the #1 spot on the list. This large school is located in Orlando, Florida, and it awarded 102 associates’s culinary arts degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Valencia College, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Culinary Arts Associate Degree Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Valencia College is $5,205 for Associate Degree Culinary Arts students with aid.

Full Valencia College Culinary Arts Report

#2

Kapiolani Community College

Honolulu, Hawaii

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Kapiolani Community College. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Culinary Arts Schools for an Associate For Those Getting Aid. Kapiolani CC is a medium-sized public school situated in Honolulu, Hawaii. It awarded 61 associates’s culinary arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Kapiolani CC also made our “Best Culinary Arts Associate Degree Schools” list, coming in at #4. The yearly cost to attend Kapiolani Community College is $6,368 for Associate Degree Culinary Arts students with aid.

Full Kapiolani Community College Culinary Arts Report

Out of the 223 schools in the Best Value Culinary Arts Schools for an Associate For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Cincinnati State Technical and Community College landed the #3 spot on the list. Cincinnati, Ohio is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s culinary arts degrees to 49 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our associate degree culinary arts students with aid list, Cincinnati State has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Culinary Arts Associate Degree Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Cincinnati State is $5,469 for associate degree culinary arts students with aid.

Full Cincinnati State Technical and Community College Culinary Arts Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Florida State College at Jacksonville. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Culinary Arts Schools for an Associate For Those Getting Aid. Florida State College at Jacksonville is a large public school situated in Jacksonville, Florida. It awarded 29 associates’s culinary arts degrees in 2019-2020.

FSCJ did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Culinary Arts Associate Degree Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend FSCJ is $3,916 for Associate Degree Culinary Arts students with aid.

Read full report on Culinary Arts at Florida State College at Jacksonville

#5

Nassau Community College

Garden City, New York

Out of the 223 schools in the Best Value Culinary Arts Schools for an Associate For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Nassau Community College landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Garden City, New York, this fairly large public school handed out 15 degrees to qualified associates’s culinary arts students in 2019-2020.

Nassau Community College also made our “Best Culinary Arts Associate Degree Schools” list, coming in at #13. The estimated yearly cost for Nassau Community College is $4,594 for Associate Degree Culinary Arts students with aid.

Read more about Culinary Arts at Nassau Community College

#6

Moraine Valley Community College

Palos Hills, Illinois

Moraine Valley Community College landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Culinary Arts Schools for an Associate For Those Getting Aid ranking. Moraine Valley Community College is a public institution located in Palos Hills, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 17 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend MVCC is $2,422 for Associate Degree Culinary Arts students with aid.

Read full report on Culinary Arts at MVCC

Niagara County Community College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Culinary Arts Schools for an Associate For Those Getting Aid list. Sanborn, New York is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s culinary arts degrees to 82 students in 2019-2020.

Niagara County Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Culinary Arts Associate Degree Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Niagara County Community College is $5,491 for Associate Degree Culinary Arts students with aid.

Read more about Culinary Arts at Niagara County Community College

With a ranking of #8, South Georgia Technical College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Culinary Arts Schools for an Associate For Those Getting Aid list. South Georgia Technical College is located in Americus, Georgia and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 16 associates’s culinary arts degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for South Georgia Technical College is $-947 for associate degree culinary arts students with aid. When an average net price is negative, it usually means that the student will receive more financial aid than it costs to attend the school.

Read more about Culinary Arts at South Georgia Technical College

#9

Madison Area Technical College

Madison, Wisconsin

Madison Area Technical College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Culinary Arts Schools for an Associate For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #9. Madison, Wisconsin is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s culinary arts degrees to 15 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our associate degree culinary arts students with aid list, Madison College has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Culinary Arts Associate Degree Schools” ranking. It costs about $9,904 for Associate Degree Culinary Arts students with aid per year to attend Madison College.

Read more about Culinary Arts at Madison College

#10

Elgin Community College

Elgin, Illinois

With a ranking of #10, Elgin Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Culinary Arts Schools for an Associate For Those Getting Aid list. Elgin, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s culinary arts degrees to 18 students in 2019-2020.

ECC also claimed a top spot on our “Best Culinary Arts Associate Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The estimated yearly cost for ECC is $4,185 for Associate Degree Culinary Arts students with aid.

Read full report on Culinary Arts at ECC

#11

Joliet Junior College

Joliet, Illinois

Joliet Junior College landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Culinary Arts Schools for an Associate For Those Getting Aid ranking. Joliet Junior College is located in Joliet, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 58 associates’s culinary arts degrees to qualified students.

Joliet Junior College also took the #17 spot in our “Best Culinary Arts Associate Degree Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Joliet Junior College is $4,693 for Associate Degree Culinary Arts students with aid.

Read more about Culinary Arts at Joliet Junior College

#12

College of Lake County

Grayslake, Illinois

With a ranking of #12, College of Lake County did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Culinary Arts Schools for an Associate For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in Grayslake, Illinois, and it awarded 20 associates’s culinary arts degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, College of Lake County is also in the top of our “Best Culinary Arts Associate Degree Schools” ranking. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category. The yearly cost to attend College of Lake County is $4,735 for Associate Degree Culinary Arts students with aid.

Read more about Culinary Arts at College of Lake County

Metropolitan Community College landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Culinary Arts Schools for an Associate For Those Getting Aid ranking. This fairly large school is located in Omaha, Nebraska, and it awarded 27 associates’s culinary arts degrees in 2019-2020.

On top of its placing in this ranking, MCC also did well on our “Best Culinary Arts Associate Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. It costs about $4,295 for Associate Degree Culinary Arts students with aid per year to attend Metropolitan Community College.

Read more about Culinary Arts at MCC

#14

Miami Dade College

Miami, Florida

With a ranking of #14, Miami Dade College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Culinary Arts Schools for an Associate For Those Getting Aid list. Miami Dade College is located in Miami, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 33 associates’s culinary arts degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, MDC is also in the top of our “Best Culinary Arts Associate Degree Schools” ranking. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. It costs about $4,842 for Associate Degree Culinary Arts students with aid per year to attend MDC.

Read more about Culinary Arts at MDC

With a ranking of #15, SUNY Schenectady County Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Culinary Arts Schools for an Associate For Those Getting Aid list. SUNY Schenectady is a public institution located in Schenectady, New York. The school has a small population, and it awarded 46 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

SUNY Schenectady also claimed a top spot on our “Best Culinary Arts Associate Degree Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Culinary Arts Associate Degree Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend SUNY Schenectady County Community College is $5,717 for associate degree culinary arts students with aid.

Full SUNY Schenectady Culinary Arts Report

#16

Oakland Community College

Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

Oakland Community College landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Culinary Arts Schools for an Associate For Those Getting Aid ranking. Bloomfield Hills, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s culinary arts degrees to 12 students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Oakland Community College is $2,825 for associate degree culinary arts students with aid.

Read full report on Culinary Arts at Oakland Community College

Austin Community College District did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Culinary Arts Schools for an Associate For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #17. Austin, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s culinary arts degrees to 16 students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Austin Community College District is $6,861 for Associate Degree Culinary Arts students with aid.

Read more about Culinary Arts at Austin Community College District

#18

Athens Technical College

Athens, Georgia
Top 15% in overall quality

Athens Technical College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Culinary Arts Schools for an Associate For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #18. This small school is located in Athens, Georgia, and it awarded 7 associates’s culinary arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Athens Technical College excels when it comes to culinary arts quality. It’s in the top 15% of all schools in this category. The estimated yearly cost for Athens Technical College is $4,937 for Associate Degree Culinary Arts students with aid.

Full Athens Technical College Culinary Arts Report

#19

El Centro College

Dallas, Texas

El Centro College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Culinary Arts Schools for an Associate For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #19. El Centro College is a public institution located in Dallas, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 36 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, El Centro College is also in the top of our “Best Culinary Arts Associate Degree Schools” ranking. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category. The yearly cost to attend El Centro College is $4,373 for Associate Degree Culinary Arts students with aid.

Read full report on Culinary Arts at El Centro College

#20

Leeward Community College

Pearl City, Hawaii

Leeward Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Culinary Arts Schools for an Associate For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #20. Located in Pearl City, Hawaii, this medium-sized public school awarded 15 diplomas to qualified associates’s culinary arts students in 2019-2020.

Leeward CC also took the #14 spot in our “Best Culinary Arts Associate Degree Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Leeward CC is $7,657 for Associate Degree Culinary Arts students with aid.

Read full report on Culinary Arts at Leeward CC

Cuyahoga Community College District landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Culinary Arts Schools for an Associate For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, this fairly large public school awarded 23 diplomas to qualified associates’s culinary arts students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $5,415 for Associate Degree Culinary Arts students with aid per year to attend Cuyahoga Community College District.

Full Cuyahoga Community College District Culinary Arts Report

#22

Atlanta Technical College

Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta Technical College ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Culinary Arts Schools for an Associate For Those Getting Aid list. This small school is located in Atlanta, Georgia, and it awarded 14 associates’s culinary arts degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Atlanta Technical College is $-157 for associate degree culinary arts students with aid. The negative number means the student will receive more financial aid on average than it costs to attend the school.

Read more about Culinary Arts at Atlanta Technical College

#23

Manchester Community College

Manchester, Connecticut

With a ranking of #23, Manchester Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Culinary Arts Schools for an Associate For Those Getting Aid list. Manchester Community College is a small public school situated in Manchester, Connecticut. It awarded 23 associates’s culinary arts degrees in 2019-2020.

MCC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Culinary Arts Associate Degree Schools” list. It costs about $7,142 for Associate Degree Culinary Arts students with aid per year to attend Manchester Community College.

Full Manchester Community College Culinary Arts Report

#24

Houston Community College

Houston, Texas

Houston Community College landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Culinary Arts Schools for an Associate For Those Getting Aid ranking. Houston Community College is located in Houston, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 53 associates’s culinary arts degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $5,272 for Associate Degree Culinary Arts students with aid per year to attend Houston Community College.

Read more about Culinary Arts at Houston Community College

With a ranking of #25, Suffolk County Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Culinary Arts Schools for an Associate For Those Getting Aid list. Suffolk County Community College is located in Selden, New York and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 20 associates’s culinary arts degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Suffolk County Community College is $5,533 for Associate Degree Culinary Arts students with aid.

Read full report on Culinary Arts at Suffolk County Community College

Rest of the Best 34 in Best Value Culinary Arts Schools for an Associate For Those Getting Aid

Not only did these schools make the top 34 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

#26

Hudson County Community College

Jersey City, New Jersey
#28

Wake Technical Community College

Raleigh, North Carolina
#29

NorthWest Arkansas Community College

Bentonville, Arkansas
#30

Salt Lake Community College

Salt Lake City, Utah
#33

Erie Community College

Buffalo, New York
#34

Ogeechee Technical College

Statesboro, Georgia

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.

Credits

Featured Culinary Arts Schools

Find Schools Near You