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2022 Most Popular Associate Degree Colleges for Culinary Arts in the Southeast Region

119 Colleges in the Southeast Region
2,035 Associate Degrees
$23,318 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.

For its 2022 ranking, College Factual looked at 119 schools in the Southeast Region to determine which ones were the most popular for culinary arts students pursuing a associate degree. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 2,035 associate degrees in culinary arts during the 2019-2020 academic year.

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 in the Southeast Region The culinary arts associate degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. We created our Most Popular Associate Degree Colleges for Culinary Arts in the Southeast Region ranking to make it a little easier to choose the right one for you.

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.

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

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

You'll be surrounded by many like-minded peers at Johnson & Wales University - Charlotte if you wish to pursue an associate degree in culinary arts. JWU Charlotte is a small private not-for-profit university located in the 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 recipients from the culinary arts program at Johnson & Wales University - Charlotte get $2,582 above the average graduate in this field shortly after graduation.

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

2
ECPI University crest
ECPI University
Virginia Beach, VA
155 Annual Associate Degrees
#1 Most Popular In VA
#1 Best Quality In VA

ECPI University is one of the most popular schools in the country for getting an associate degree in culinary arts. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, ECPI University is a private for-profit university with a 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 students who graduated with this degree at ECPI University in the most recent data year.

Associate students who receive their degree from the culinary arts program make about $20,900 for their early career.

More information about a associate in culinary arts from ECPI University

3
130 Annual Associate Degrees
#1 Most Popular In FL
#2 Best Quality In FL

You'll be surrounded by many like-minded peers at Johnson & Wales University - North Miami if you want to pursue an associate degree in culinary arts. Located in the large 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.

Culinary Arts associate degree recipients from Johnson & Wales University - North Miami earn a boost of around $2,582 above the typical earnings of culinary arts majors.

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

4
Sullivan University crest
Sullivan University
Louisville, KY
117 Annual Associate Degrees
#1 Most Popular In KY
#1 Best Quality In KY

Sullivan University is a popular decision for students pursuing an associate degree in culinary arts. Located in the large 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 data year.

Associate students 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

5
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 roughly 116 culinary arts individuals 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

6
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 very 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 roughly 102 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Valencia College in the most recent year we have data available.

Culinary Arts associate degree recipients from Valencia College receive an earnings boost of about $2,882 over the average earnings of culinary arts graduates.

More information about a associate in culinary arts from Valencia College

7
Helms College crest
Helms College
Macon, GA
70 Annual Associate Degrees
#1 Most Popular In GA
#16 Best Quality In GA

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

There were approximately 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

8
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 earn an average of $24,500 in their early career salary.

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

9
51 Annual Associate Degrees
#1 Most Popular In AR
#2 Best Quality In AR

Located in the small 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 approximately 51 culinary arts individuals 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

10
40 Annual Associate Degrees
#1 Most Popular In LA
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type

Located in the large suburb of Baton Rouge, Louisiana Culinary Institute is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

There were about 40 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Louisiana Culinary Institute in the most recent year we have data available.

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

11
36 Annual Associate Degrees
#2 Most Popular In GA
#3 Best Quality In GA

Located in the city of Atlanta, Ai Atlanta is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #3 in quality for associate degrees in culinary arts in Georgia.

There were roughly 36 culinary arts individuals who graduated with this degree at Ai Atlanta in the most recent year we have data available.

Soon after graduation, culinary arts associate recipients typically earn about $23,800 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a associate in culinary arts from The Art Institute of Atlanta

12
35 Annual Associate Degrees
#1 Most Popular In SC
#1 Best Quality In SC

Located in the small city of Conway, Horry-Georgetown Technical College is a public college with a medium-sized student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for associate degrees in culinary arts in South Carolina.

There were approximately 35 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Horry-Georgetown Technical College in the most recent year we have data available.

Associate graduates who receive their degree from the culinary arts program earn around $24,500 in their early career salary.

More information about a associate in culinary arts from Horry-Georgetown Technical College

12
35 Annual Associate Degrees
#1 Most Popular In SC
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type

Trident Technical College is a fairly large public college located in the midsize city of Charleston.

There were roughly 35 culinary arts individuals who graduated with this degree at Trident Technical College in the most recent data year.

More information about a associate in culinary arts from Trident Technical College

14
33 Annual Associate Degrees
#4 Most Popular In FL
#5 Best Quality In FL

MDC is a very large public college located in the city of Miami. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #5 in quality for associate degrees in culinary arts in Florida.

There were roughly 33 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at MDC in the most recent data year.

More information about a associate in culinary arts from Miami Dade College

15
32 Annual Associate Degrees
#2 Most Popular In NC
#2 Best Quality In NC

Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a public college with a large student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for associate degrees in culinary arts in North Carolina.

There were roughly 32 culinary arts individuals who graduated with this degree at Central Piedmont Community College in the most recent data year.

Associate graduates who receive their degree from the culinary arts program earn about $19,800 in the first couple years of working.

More information about a associate in culinary arts from Central Piedmont Community College

16
30 Annual Associate Degrees
#2 Most Popular In AR
#1 Best Quality In AR

NWACC is a moderately-sized public college located in the small city of Bentonville. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #1 in quality for associate degrees in culinary arts in Arkansas.

There were about 30 culinary arts individuals who graduated with this degree at NWACC in the most recent data year.

More information about a associate in culinary arts from NorthWest Arkansas Community College

17
29 Annual Associate Degrees
#5 Most Popular In FL
#4 Best Quality In FL

FSCJ is a fairly large public college located in the city of Jacksonville. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #4 in quality for associate degrees in culinary arts in Florida.

There were about 29 culinary arts individuals who graduated with this degree at FSCJ in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a associate in culinary arts from Florida State College at Jacksonville

Honorable Mentions

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Most Popular Associate Degree Colleges for Culinary Arts in the Southeast Region award.

RankCollegeLocation
18Mississippi Gulf Coast Community CollegePerkinston, MS
19Wake Technical Community CollegeRaleigh, NC
20Greenville Technical CollegeGreenville, SC
21Hinds Community CollegeRaymond, MS
22AI Miami International University of Art and DesignMiami, FL
23Nicholls State UniversityThibodaux, LA
23Daytona State CollegeDaytona Beach, FL
25H Councill Trenholm State Community CollegeMontgomery, AL

Best Culinary Arts Colleges by State

Explore the most popular culinary arts schools for a specific state in the Southeast Region .

StateCollegesDegrees Awarded
Mississippi138105
North Carolina125590
Georgia120232
Florida115461
Virginia96474
Arkansas9584
Tennessee9420
West Virginia9322
Kentucky93186
Louisiana70111
South Carolina69136
Alabama6864

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 Training1,157
Baking & Pastry Arts/Baker/Pastry Chef459
General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts199
Restaurant, Culinary, & Catering Management/Manager162
Institutional Food Workers48
Other Culinary Arts & Related Services10

Majors Similar to Culinary Arts

Related MajorAnnual Graduates
Funeral & Mortuary Science357
Cosmetology328

Notes and References

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