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2022 Most Popular Associate Degree Colleges for Culinary Arts

428 Colleges in the United States
7,304 Associate Degrees
$24,331 Avg Early-Career Salary
Culinary Arts is of the hottest associate degree programs in the United States, coming in as the #16 most popular major in the country. This means there are lots of options to choose from when you decide to get your degree.

College Factual looked at 428 colleges and universities when compiling its 2022 Most Popular Associate Degree Colleges for Culinary Arts ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 7,304 associate degrees in culinary arts to qualified students.

What's on this page: * Other Rankings

Choosing a Great Culinary Arts School for Your Associate Degree

Most Popular Associate Degree Colleges for Culinary Arts The culinary arts associate degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. As an aid in helping you pick the right school for you, we created our Most Popular Associate Degree Colleges for Culinary Arts ranking.

Being popular does not always equate to overall quality, but a school with a large number of culinary arts students usually has them for a reason. Sometimes this is because the school offers a great educational experience, it is a good value, or it is highly focused on the program.

More Ways to Rank Culinary Arts Schools

Bachelor's Degrees in Culinary Arts
Master's Degrees in Culinary Arts
Doctor's Degrees in Culinary Arts
Overall Popularity in Culinary Arts

We have also developed a number of other rankings to help guide you in your decision-making process. To begin with, if this is not the degree level you are most interested in, you may want to check out one of the others noted above. If you would prefer to limit your search to a specific state or region of the county, see our rankings by location. Plus, you can view our other rankings for culinary arts.

Below you'll see a list of the most popular colleges and universities for pursuing an associate degree in culinary arts. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Most Well Attended Schools for Culinary Arts Students Working on Their Associate

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504 Annual Associate Degrees
#1 Most Popular In NY
#1 Best Quality In NY

Every student pursuing a degree in an associate degree in culinary arts needs to take a look at Culinary Institute of America. The Culinary Institute of America is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hyde Park. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #1 in quality for associate degrees in culinary arts in New York.

There were approximately 504 culinary arts individuals who graduated with this degree at The Culinary Institute of America in the most recent data year.

Those culinary arts students who get their associate degree from Culinary Institute of America make $6,869 more than the standard culinary arts student.

More information about a associate in culinary arts from Culinary Institute of America

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273 Annual Associate Degrees
#1 Most Popular In RI
#1 Best Quality In RI

Johnson & Wales University - Providence is one of the most popular schools in the United States for getting an associate degree in culinary arts. JWU Providence is a medium-sized private not-for-profit university located in the medium-sized city of Providence. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for associate degrees in culinary arts in Rhode Island.

There were about 273 culinary arts individuals who graduated with this degree at JWU Providence in the most recent data year.

Associate students who receive their degree from the culinary arts program make an average of $25,900 in their early career salary.

More information about a associate in culinary arts from Johnson & Wales University - Providence

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233 Annual Associate Degrees
#1 Most Popular In TX
#18 Best Quality In TX

Every student pursuing a degree in an associate degree in culinary arts needs to look into Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts - Austin. Escoffier - Austin is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the city of Austin.

There were approximately 233 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Escoffier - Austin in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a associate in culinary arts from Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts - Austin

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203 Annual Associate Degrees
#1 Most Popular In NC
#1 Best Quality In NC

Johnson & Wales University - Charlotte is a popular decision for students pursuing an associate degree in culinary arts. JWU Charlotte is a small private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Charlotte. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #1 in quality for associate degrees in culinary arts in North Carolina.

There were about 203 culinary arts individuals who graduated with this degree at JWU Charlotte in the most recent year we have data available.

Associate graduates who receive their degree from the culinary arts program earn an average of $25,900 for their early career.

More information about a associate in culinary arts from Johnson & Wales University - Charlotte

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ECPI University crest
ECPI University
Virginia Beach, VA
155 Annual Associate Degrees
#1 Most Popular In VA
#1 Best Quality In VA

Located in the large city of Virginia Beach, ECPI University is a private for-profit university with a fairly large student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for associate degrees in culinary arts in Virginia.

There were approximately 155 culinary arts individuals who graduated with this degree at ECPI University in the most recent year we have data available.

Associate students who receive their degree from the culinary arts program make around $20,900 in the first couple years of working.

More information about a associate in culinary arts from ECPI University

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130 Annual Associate Degrees
#1 Most Popular In FL
#2 Best Quality In FL

Located in the suburb of North Miami, JWU North Miami is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly small student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for associate degrees in culinary arts in Florida.

There were approximately 130 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at JWU North Miami in the most recent data year.

Associate students who receive their degree from the culinary arts program make around $25,900 in their early career salary.

More information about a associate in culinary arts from Johnson & Wales University - North Miami

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Sullivan University crest
Sullivan University
Louisville, KY
117 Annual Associate Degrees
#1 Most Popular In KY
#1 Best Quality In KY

Located in the city of Louisville, Sullivan University is a private for-profit university with a small student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #1 in quality for associate degrees in culinary arts in Kentucky.

There were about 117 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Sullivan University in the most recent year we have data available.

Associate graduates who receive their degree from the culinary arts program make about $25,200 for their early career.

More information about a associate in culinary arts from Sullivan University

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116 Annual Associate Degrees
#2 Most Popular In VA
#7 Best Quality In VA

Located in the city of Fairfax, Stratford University is a private for-profit university with a small student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #7 in quality for associate degrees in culinary arts in Virginia.

There were approximately 116 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Stratford University in the most recent year we have data available.

Students who graduate with their associate from the culinary arts program report average early career earnings of $20,400.

More information about a associate in culinary arts from Stratford University

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113 Annual Associate Degrees
#2 Most Popular In TX
#19 Best Quality In TX

Culinary Institute LeNotre is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the city of Houston.

There were roughly 113 culinary arts individuals who graduated with this degree at Culinary Institute LeNotre in the most recent year we have data available.

Those culinary arts students who get their associate degree from Culinary Institute Inc make $2,269 more than the typical culinary arts student.

More information about a associate in culinary arts from Culinary Institute Inc

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Valencia College crest
Valencia College
Orlando, FL
102 Annual Associate Degrees
#2 Most Popular In FL
#1 Best Quality In FL

Valencia College is a fairly large public college located in the large city of Orlando. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for associate degrees in culinary arts in Florida.

There were about 102 culinary arts individuals who graduated with this degree at Valencia College in the most recent year we have data available.

After graduation, culinary arts associate recipients typically earn around $26,200 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a associate in culinary arts from Valencia College

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82 Annual Associate Degrees
#2 Most Popular In NY
#3 Best Quality In NY

Located in the rural area of Sanborn, Niagara County Community College is a public college with a small student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #3 in quality for associate degrees in culinary arts in New York.

There were approximately 82 culinary arts individuals who graduated with this degree at Niagara County Community College in the most recent data year.

Students who graduate with their associate from the culinary arts program state that they receive average early career wages of $22,300.

More information about a associate in culinary arts from Niagara County Community College

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80 Annual Associate Degrees
#1 Most Popular In CO
#1 Best Quality In CO

Located in the large city of Denver, JWU Denver is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #1 in quality for associate degrees in culinary arts in Colorado.

There were approximately 80 culinary arts individuals who graduated with this degree at JWU Denver in the most recent year we have data available.

Associate students who receive their degree from the culinary arts program earn an average of $25,900 for their early career.

More information about a associate in culinary arts from Johnson & Wales University - Denver

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78 Annual Associate Degrees
#3 Most Popular In NY
#4 Best Quality In NY

Monroe College is a moderately-sized private for-profit college located in the large city of Bronx. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #4 in quality for associate degrees in culinary arts in New York.

There were about 78 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Monroe College in the most recent data year.

Students who graduate with their associate from the culinary arts program state that they receive average early career income of $19,200.

More information about a associate in culinary arts from Monroe College

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Helms College crest
Helms College
Macon, GA
70 Annual Associate Degrees
#1 Most Popular In GA
#16 Best Quality In GA

Located in the midsize city of Macon, Helms College is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

There were about 70 culinary arts individuals who graduated with this degree at Helms College in the most recent data year.

More information about a associate in culinary arts from Helms College

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68 Annual Associate Degrees
#3 Most Popular In FL
#3 Best Quality In FL

Located in the medium-sized city of Fort Lauderdale, Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #3 in quality for associate degrees in culinary arts in Florida.

There were about 68 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale in the most recent data year.

Associate graduates who receive their degree from the culinary arts program make around $24,500 for their early career.

More information about a associate in culinary arts from Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale

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61 Annual Associate Degrees
#1 Most Popular In HI
#1 Best Quality In HI

Located in the city of Honolulu, Kapiolani CC is a public college with a moderately-sized student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for associate degrees in culinary arts in Hawaii.

There were roughly 61 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Kapiolani CC in the most recent data year.

Culinary Arts associate degree recipients from Kapiolani Community College receive an earnings boost of approximately $4,969 over the typical income of culinary arts graduates.

More information about a associate in culinary arts from Kapiolani Community College

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60 Annual Associate Degrees
#1 Most Popular In IL
#1 Best Quality In IL

NLU is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Chicago. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for associate degrees in culinary arts in Illinois.

There were approximately 60 culinary arts individuals who graduated with this degree at NLU in the most recent year we have data available.

Culinary Arts associate degree recipients from National Louis University get an earnings boost of about $4,369 above the average income of culinary arts majors.

More information about a associate in culinary arts from National Louis University

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58 Annual Associate Degrees
#2 Most Popular In IL
#2 Best Quality In IL

Joliet Junior College is a fairly large public college located in the large suburb of Joliet. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #2 in quality for associate degrees in culinary arts in Illinois.

There were about 58 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Joliet Junior College in the most recent data year.

More information about a associate in culinary arts from Joliet Junior College

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56 Annual Associate Degrees
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
$19,900 Median Salary

Located in the suburb of Carolina, UNE is a private not-for-profit school with a moderately-sized student population.

There were about 56 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at UNE in the most recent year we have data available.

After graduating, culinary arts associate recipients generally make about $19,900 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a associate in culinary arts from Universidad del Este

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53 Annual Associate Degrees
#1 Most Popular In PA
#9 Best Quality In PA

Located in the city of Philadelphia, The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #9 in quality for associate degrees in culinary arts in Pennsylvania.

There were roughly 53 culinary arts individuals who graduated with this degree at The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College in the most recent year we have data available.

Associate graduates who receive their degree from the culinary arts program earn an average of $25,100 for their early career.

More information about a associate in culinary arts from The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College

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53 Annual Associate Degrees
#3 Most Popular In TX
#7 Best Quality In TX

Houston Community College is a fairly large public college located in the city of Houston. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #7 in quality for associate degrees in culinary arts in Texas.

There were approximately 53 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Houston Community College in the most recent data year.

Associate graduates who receive their degree from the culinary arts program make an average of $19,100 for their early career.

More information about a associate in culinary arts from Houston Community College

22
51 Annual Associate Degrees
#1 Most Popular In AR
#2 Best Quality In AR

Located in the city of North Little Rock, UA Pulaski Tech is a public university with a small student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for associate degrees in culinary arts in Arkansas.

There were about 51 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at UA Pulaski Tech in the most recent data year.

More information about a associate in culinary arts from University of Arkansas - Pulaski Technical College

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49 Annual Associate Degrees
#1 Most Popular In OH
#1 Best Quality In OH

Cincinnati State is a medium-sized public college located in the city of Cincinnati. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for associate degrees in culinary arts in Ohio.

There were roughly 49 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Cincinnati State in the most recent data year.

Associate recipients from the culinary arts degree program at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College make $3,369 more than the average college grad in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a associate in culinary arts from Cincinnati State Technical and Community College

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PPCC crest
Pikes Peak Community College
Colorado Springs, CO
48 Annual Associate Degrees
#2 Most Popular In CO
#2 Best Quality In CO

PPCC is a large public college located in the large suburb of Colorado Springs. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #2 in quality for associate degrees in culinary arts in Colorado.

There were about 48 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at PPCC in the most recent data year.

Soon after graduating, culinary arts associate recipients usually earn an average of $23,000 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a associate in culinary arts from Pikes Peak Community College

24
48 Annual Associate Degrees
#1 Most Popular In NJ
#1 Best Quality In NJ

HCCC is a medium-sized public college located in the city of Jersey City. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for associate degrees in culinary arts in New Jersey.

There were approximately 48 culinary arts individuals who graduated with this degree at HCCC in the most recent year we have data available.

Associate students who receive their degree from the culinary arts program make about $23,700 for their early career.

More information about a associate in culinary arts from Hudson County Community College

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Baker College crest
Baker College
Owosso, MI
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St Philip's College crest
St Philip's College
San Antonio, TX
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Additional Award Winners

This list represents the rest of the colleges awarded a Most Popular Associate Degree Colleges for Culinary Arts badge. Showing in this list means the school was ranked in the top 15% of the 428 different United States culinary arts schools we analyzed.

RankCollegeLocation
51The Art Institute of DallasDallas, TX
51South Texas CollegeMcAllen, TX
53NorthWest Arkansas Community CollegeBentonville, AR
54Milwaukee Area Technical CollegeMilwaukee, WI
54Oklahoma State University Institute of TechnologyOkmulgee, OK
54Cypress CollegeCypress, CA
54Los Angeles Mission CollegeSylmar, CA
54Pittsburgh Technical CollegeOakdale, PA
54Saint Louis Community CollegeSaint Louis, MO
54Florida State College at JacksonvilleJacksonville, FL
61Mississippi Gulf Coast Community CollegePerkinston, MS
61Scottsdale Community CollegeScottsdale, AZ
63Metropolitan Community CollegeOmaha, NE
63Des Moines Area Community CollegeAnkeny, IA
63Wake Technical Community CollegeRaleigh, NC
63Central New Mexico Community CollegeAlbuquerque, NM
63Kalamazoo Valley Community CollegeKalamazoo, MI
63Delaware Technical Community College - TerryDover, DE

Honorable Mentions

Here are some additional great schools for Culinary Arts students that almost earned our Most Popular Associate Degree Colleges for Culinary Arts award.

RankCollegeLocation
69San Jacinto Community CollegePasadena, TX
69University of Hawaii Maui CollegeKahului, HI
69Greenville Technical CollegeGreenville, SC
72Orange Coast CollegeCosta Mesa, CA
72Macomb Community CollegeWarren, MI
72Washtenaw Community CollegeAnn Arbor, MI
75Manchester Community CollegeManchester, CT
75Erie Community CollegeBuffalo, NY
75Anne Arundel Community CollegeArnold, MD
75Westmoreland County Community CollegeYoungwood, PA
75Cuyahoga Community College DistrictCleveland, OH
80Grand Rapids Community CollegeGrand Rapids, MI
80Alfred State CollegeAlfred, NY
80Hinds Community CollegeRaymond, MS
83College of DuPageGlen Ellyn, IL
83Lee CollegeBaytown, TX
83Waukesha County Technical CollegePewaukee, WI
83American River CollegeSacramento, CA

Culinary Arts by Region

View the Most Popular Associate Degree Colleges for Culinary Arts for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

View All Rankings >

Culinary Arts is one of 3 different types of Personal & Culinary Services programs to choose from.

Culinary Arts Focus Areas

MajorAnnual Graduates
Culinary Arts/Chef Training4,189
Baking & Pastry Arts/Baker/Pastry Chef1,394
General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts916
Restaurant, Culinary, & Catering Management/Manager635
Institutional Food Workers74
Other Culinary Arts & Related Services71
Food Preparation/Professional Cooking/Kitchen Assistant12
Wine Steward/Sommelier8
Meat Cutting/Meat Cutter4
Food Service, Waiter/Waitress, & Dining Room Management/Manager1

Majors Similar to Culinary Arts

Related MajorAnnual Graduates
Funeral & Mortuary Science1,398
Cosmetology992
Other Personal & Culinary Services3

Notes and References

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