by our College Data Analytics Team
[Culinary Arts](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/culinary-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong culinary arts education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 6 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value culinary arts schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in culinary arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is College Of Southern Nevada, our #1 best value for culinary arts in the United States. College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. In-state tuition and fees average $4,358, with out-of-state students paying around $13,024. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $9,980 in student loans. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $22,428. That is a strong return on a $9,980 median debt.
Universidad Del Este came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value culinary arts schools. Universidad Del Este is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Carolina. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,750. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Universidad Del Este generally make around $14,017. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Nicholls State University earned it the #3 place for culinary arts. Nicholls State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Thibodaux. In-state tuition and fees average $8,149, compared with $9,242 for out-of-state students. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $26,063 in student loans. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Nicholls State University generally make around $23,038. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Johnson And Wales University Providence came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value culinary arts schools. Set in the city of Providence, Johnson And Wales University Providence is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $41,982. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the culinary arts program here. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $32,775. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
A rank of #5 makes Culinary Institute Of America one of the best values for culinary arts. Set in the suburb of Hyde Park, Culinary Institute Of America is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,670. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the culinary arts program here. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $43,808. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
The Restaurant School At Walnut Hill College landed the #6 spot for culinary arts value this year. The Restaurant School At Walnut Hill College is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Students from in state pay about $29,499 in tuition and fees. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Culinary Arts graduates of The Restaurant School At Walnut Hill College earn a median of $27,593 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Culinary Arts rankings across degree levels:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.