2027 Best Value Culinary Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Culinary Arts](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/culinary-arts/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong culinary arts education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 44 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value culinary arts schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Culinary Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the culinary arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Culinary Arts Schools
Leading the list is Joliet Junior College, our #1 best value for culinary arts in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,530, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $16,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $28,252. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lake Land College earned it the #2 place for culinary arts. Located in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,415, compared with $14,301 for out-of-state students. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $5,163 in student loans. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Lake Land College generally make around $14,366. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in culinary arts will find it at Schoolcraft College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Livonia, Schoolcraft College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,501 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,750 to complete the culinary arts program here. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $27,248. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Kalamazoo Valley Community College earned it the #4 place for culinary arts. Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Kalamazoo. Students from in state pay about $4,144 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,094. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $14,382 in student loans. Culinary Arts graduates of Kalamazoo Valley Community College earn a median of $26,843 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Moraine Valley Community College earned it the #5 place for culinary arts. Moraine Valley Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Palos Hills. Students from in state pay about $3,822 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,846. Typical student debt for culinary arts graduates is $11,149. Culinary Arts graduates of Moraine Valley Community College earn a median of $43,844 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Macomb Community College came in at #6 for value in culinary arts this year. Located in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Typical student debt for culinary arts graduates is $9,862. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Macomb Community College generally make around $20,701. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Richland Community College came in at #7 for value in culinary arts this year. Richland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Decatur. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,680, with out-of-state students paying around $17,070. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $9,562 in student loans. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $46,233. Set against $9,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Henry Ford Community College came in at #8 for value in culinary arts this year. Henry Ford Community College is a large public school located in the city of Dearborn. Students from in state pay about $3,568 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,816 for out-of-state students. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $19,144 in student loans. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $36,247. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuyahoga Community College District placed #9 among the best values for culinary arts. Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Cleveland. In-state tuition and fees average $3,249, with out-of-state students paying around $7,249. Students borrow a median of $14,636 to complete the culinary arts program here. Culinary Arts graduates of Cuyahoga Community College District earn a median of $39,394 early in their careers. Set against $14,636 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lorain County Community College landed the #10 spot for culinary arts value this year. Lorain County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Elyria. Students from in state pay about $4,265 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,860 for out-of-state students. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $17,611 in student loans. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $40,095. Set against $17,611 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College placed #11 among the best values for culinary arts. Located in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,517, while out-of-state students pay about $10,044. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $12,145 in student loans. Culinary Arts graduates of Cincinnati State Technical And Community College earn a median of $36,330 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lincoln Land Community College landed the #12 spot for culinary arts value this year. Set in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,744, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $11,272 in student loans. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $43,834. That is a strong return on a $11,272 median debt.
Danville Area Community College placed #13 among the best values for culinary arts. Set in the town of Danville, Danville Area Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,440 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,440. Students borrow a median of $9,470 to complete the culinary arts program here. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $36,123. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Elgin Community College landed the #14 spot for culinary arts value this year. Elgin Community College is a large public school located in the city of Elgin. In-state tuition and fees average $3,252, compared with $9,516 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for culinary arts graduates is $7,727. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $43,975. Set against $7,727 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwestern Michigan College came in at #15 for value in culinary arts this year. Northwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Traverse City. Students from in state pay about $5,860 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,476. Students borrow a median of $14,199 to complete the culinary arts program here. Culinary Arts graduates of Northwestern Michigan College earn a median of $26,586 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,199 median debt.
Oakland Community College landed the #16 spot for culinary arts value this year. Located in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,120, compared with $5,560 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for culinary arts graduates is $15,865. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Oakland Community College generally make around $43,205. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sinclair Community College placed #17 among the best values for culinary arts. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,675, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $15,834 in student loans. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $28,037. That is a strong return on a $15,834 median debt.
College Of Dupage ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value culinary arts schools. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $12,750. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $12,492 in student loans. Culinary Arts graduates of College Of Dupage earn a median of $26,952 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,492 median debt.
Kaskaskia College earned the #19 position for value in culinary arts this year. Set in the rural area of Centralia, Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800, with out-of-state students paying around $12,570. Typical student debt for culinary arts graduates is $7,875. Culinary Arts graduates of Kaskaskia College earn a median of $45,658 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mchenry County College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value culinary arts schools. Mchenry County College is a large public school located in the rural area of Crystal Lake. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,162, compared with $14,399 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,440 to complete the culinary arts program here. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Mchenry County College generally make around $24,177. Set against $7,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mott Community College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value culinary arts schools. Set in the city of Flint, Mott Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,845, compared with $11,460 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for culinary arts graduates is $20,645. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $37,989. Set against $20,645 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Lake County ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value culinary arts schools. Set in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,788 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,400. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $9,785 in student loans. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from College Of Lake County generally make around $50,314. Set against $9,785 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ivy Tech Community College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value culinary arts schools. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,154 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. Typical student debt for culinary arts graduates is $11,889. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $40,734. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grand Rapids Community College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value culinary arts schools. Grand Rapids Community College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Rapids. In-state tuition and fees average $4,179, while out-of-state students pay about $12,219. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $13,625 in student loans. Culinary Arts graduates of Grand Rapids Community College earn a median of $26,052 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,625 median debt.
Columbus State Community College placed #25 among the best values for culinary arts. Columbus State Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,488, with out-of-state students paying around $11,224. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $9,041 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,435. Set against $9,041 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 44 Best Value Culinary Arts Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in culinary arts:
Narrow Culinary Arts Schools by State
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 44 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 44 ranked schools only.
- 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.
