2027 Best Value Culinary Arts Schools in New York
[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 13 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value culinary arts schools.
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2027 Best Value Culinary Arts Schools in New York
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in culinary arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Culinary Arts Schools
Leading the list is Suffolk County Community College, our #1 best value for culinary arts in New York. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,630, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $11,246 in student loans. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $35,667. Set against $11,246 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in culinary arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $5,252 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,132. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $7,858 in student loans. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Cuny Kingsborough Community College generally make around $35,562. Set against $7,858 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Niagara County Community College earned it the #3 place for culinary arts. Set in the rural area of Sanborn, Niagara County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,894, compared with $12,030 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the culinary arts program here. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $26,514. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Nassau Community College earned it the #4 place for culinary arts. Nassau Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Garden City. In-state tuition and fees average $6,330, while out-of-state students pay about $12,130. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $11,850 in student loans. Culinary Arts graduates of Nassau Community College earn a median of $38,734 early in their careers. Set against $11,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Monroe Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in culinary arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,006, compared with $11,056 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,921 to complete the culinary arts program here. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Monroe Community College generally make around $38,757. Set against $12,921 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Erie Community College placed #6 among the best values for culinary arts. Erie Community College is a large public school located in the city of Buffalo. In-state tuition and fees average $6,100, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Students borrow a median of $6,439 to complete the culinary arts program here. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Erie Community College generally make around $15,565. That is a strong return on a $6,439 median debt.
Schenectady County Community College landed the #7 spot for culinary arts value this year. Set in the city of Schenectady, Schenectady County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,190, compared with $8,974 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,902 ten years after entry.
Suny Westchester Community College placed #8 among the best values for culinary arts. Set in the suburb of Valhalla, Suny Westchester Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,948, compared with $12,486 for out-of-state students. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $8,764 in student loans. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Suny Westchester Community College generally make around $57,520. Set against $8,764 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Adirondack Community College placed #9 among the best values for culinary arts. Located in the suburb of Queensbury, Adirondack Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,844, while out-of-state students pay about $9,616. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $12,358 in student loans. Culinary Arts graduates of Adirondack Community College earn a median of $31,590 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Monroe College Main Campus earned the #10 position for value in culinary arts this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Monroe College Main Campus is a large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $18,464 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,364 to complete the culinary arts program here. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $18,256. Set against $13,364 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Suny College Of Technology At Alfred placed #11 among the best values for culinary arts. Suny College Of Technology At Alfred is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Alfred. In-state tuition and fees average $8,892, with out-of-state students paying around $16,837. Typical student debt for culinary arts graduates is $12,000. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $26,598. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College Of Technology At Delhi earned the #12 position for value in culinary arts this year. Set in the rural area of Delhi, Suny College Of Technology At Delhi is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,772, with out-of-state students paying around $12,762. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $20,303 in student loans. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Suny College Of Technology At Delhi generally make around $20,213. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College Of Technology At Delhi admits about 89% of applicants.
Culinary Institute Of America earned the #13 position for value in culinary arts this year. Culinary Institute Of America is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hyde Park. Students from in state pay about $38,670 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for culinary arts graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Culinary Institute Of America generally make around $35,929. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
More Culinary Arts Rankings
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Notes and References
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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.
