College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2024 Best Culinary Arts Schools

138 Colleges in the United States
19,806 Culinary Arts Degrees Awarded
$24,855 Avg Early-Career Salary
If you plan on majoring in culinary arts, you won't be alone since the degree program is ranked #97 in the country in terms of popularity. This means you won't have too much trouble finding schools that offer the degree.

In 2024, College Factual analyzed 138 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Culinary Arts Schools ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 19,806 degrees in culinary arts to qualified students.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Culinary Arts School

Best Culinary Arts Schools The culinary arts program you select can have a big impact on your future. That's why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Culinary Arts rankings. In order to come up with a best overall ranking for culinary arts schools, we combine our degree-level rankings, weighting them by the number of degrees awarded at each level.

You may want to choose one of the degree levels below to find the schools of most interest to you.

Culinary Arts Rankings by Degree Level

Associate Degrees in Culinary Arts
Bachelor's Degrees in Culinary Arts
Master's Degrees in Culinary Arts

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we've developed a number of rankings, including this Best Culinary Arts Schools list, to help you choose the best school for you. You can also filter this list by location to find schools closer to you.

In addition to College Factual's rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don't forget it.

More information on how we come up with our rankings can be found here: College Factual's Data Methodology.


 

Best Schools for Culinary Arts in the United States

Although we recommend filtering by degree level first, you can view the list below to see which schools give the educational experience for the culinary arts degree levels they offer. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

20 Top Schools in Culinary Arts

1
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
766 Culinary Arts Degrees Awarded
29.1% Growth in Graduates

Any student pursuing a degree in culinary arts needs to look into Culinary Institute of America. Located in the suburb of Hyde Park, The Culinary Institute of America is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

There were approximately 766 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at The Culinary Institute of America in the most recent year we have data available. Those culinary arts students who get their degree from Culinary Institute of America earn $14,628 more than the average culinary arts student.

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

2
Boston U crest
Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University is a good decision for students interested in a degree in culinary arts. Boston U is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Boston. A Best Colleges rank of #54 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Boston U is a great university overall.

There were about 22 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Boston U in the most recent year we have data available. Those culinary arts students who get their degree from Boston University earn $13,909 more than the standard culinary arts grad.

More information about a degree in culinary arts from Boston University

3
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
403 Culinary Arts Degrees Awarded
$28,459 Median Starting Salary

Johnson & Wales University - Providence is one of the best schools in the country for getting a degree in culinary arts. JWU Providence is a small private not-for-profit university located in the midsize city of Providence. This university ranks 6th out of 9 colleges for overall quality in the state of Rhode Island.

There were about 403 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at JWU Providence in the most recent data year. Those culinary arts students who get their degree from Johnson & Wales University - Providence earn $3,603 more than the standard culinary arts grad.

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

4
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
53 Culinary Arts Degrees Awarded
$31,385 Median Starting Salary

It's hard to beat National Louis University if you wish to pursue a degree in culinary arts. Located in the large city of Chicago, NLU is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population. A Best Colleges rank of #393 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means NLU is a great university overall.

There were approximately 53 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at NLU in the most recent year we have data available. Those culinary arts students who get their degree from National Louis University make $6,530 more than the average culinary arts graduate.

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

5
Valencia College crest
Valencia College
Orlando, FL
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
342 Culinary Arts Degrees Awarded
26.3% Growth in Graduates

Located in the large city of Orlando, Valencia College is a public college with a very large student population. This college ranks 14th out of 77 colleges for overall quality in the state of Florida.

There were roughly 342 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Valencia College in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the culinary arts program report average early career income of $24,166.

More information about a degree in culinary arts from Valencia College

6
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
$29,519 Median Starting Salary

Located in the town of Indiana, IUP is a public university with a medium-sized student population. This university ranks 49th out of 109 colleges for overall quality in the state of Pennsylvania.

There were approximately 17 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at IUP in the most recent year we have data available. Those culinary arts students who get their degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus make $4,664 more than the average culinary arts graduate.

More information about a degree in culinary arts from Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus

7
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
5th Most Popular In WA
44 Culinary Arts Degrees Awarded

CPTC is a small public college located in the city of Lakewood. A Best Colleges rank of #389 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means CPTC is a great college overall.

There were about 44 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at CPTC in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in culinary arts from Clover Park Technical College

8
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
206 Culinary Arts Degrees Awarded
1.5% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of Charlotte, JWU Charlotte is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population. A Best Colleges rank of #425 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means JWU Charlotte is a great university overall.

There were about 206 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at JWU Charlotte in the most recent data year. After graduation, culinary arts degree recipients typically make around $26,084 in their early careers.

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

9
Saint Paul College crest
Saint Paul College
Saint Paul, MN
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In MN
43 Culinary Arts Degrees Awarded

Saint Paul College is a moderately-sized public college located in the large city of Saint Paul. This college ranks 37th out of 52 schools for overall quality in the state of Minnesota.

There were roughly 43 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Saint Paul College in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in culinary arts from Saint Paul College

10
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
2,419 Culinary Arts Degrees Awarded
49.2% Growth in Graduates

Located in the midsize city of Boulder, Escoffier - Boulder is a private for-profit school with a moderately-sized student population.

There were about 2419 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Escoffier - Boulder in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the culinary arts program report average early career wages of $26,698.

More information about a degree in culinary arts from Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts - Boulder

11
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
51 Culinary Arts Degrees Awarded
$29,703 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Madison, Madison College is a public college with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #419 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Madison College is a great college overall.

There were roughly 51 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Madison College in the most recent data year. Those culinary arts students who get their degree from Madison Area Technical College receive $4,848 more than the standard culinary arts graduate.

More information about a degree in culinary arts from Madison Area Technical College

12
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
3rd Most Popular In WI

Located in the small city of Eau Claire, CVTC is a public college with a moderately-sized student population. A Best Colleges rank of #410 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means CVTC is a great college overall.

There were about 21 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at CVTC in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in culinary arts from Chippewa Valley Technical College

13
ECPI University crest
ECPI University
Virginia Beach, VA
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
148 Culinary Arts Degrees Awarded
$22,745 Median Starting Salary

ECPI University is a fairly large private for-profit university located in the large city of Virginia Beach. A Best Colleges rank of #322 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means ECPI University is a great university overall.

There were approximately 148 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at ECPI University in the most recent year we have data available. After graduating, culinary arts degree recipients usually make an average of $22,745 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a degree in culinary arts from ECPI University

14
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
7th Most Popular In WI
52 Culinary Arts Degrees Awarded

Located in the midsize suburb of Kenosha, Gateway Technical College is a public college with a medium-sized student population. This college ranks 9th out of 46 colleges for overall quality in the state of Wisconsin.

There were about 52 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Gateway Technical College in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in culinary arts from Gateway Technical College

15
El Centro College crest
El Centro College
Dallas, TX
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
117 Culinary Arts Degrees Awarded
$28,035 Median Starting Salary

El Centro College is a very large public college located in the city of Dallas. A Best Colleges rank of #362 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means El Centro College is a great college overall.

There were approximately 117 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at El Centro College in the most recent year we have data available. Those culinary arts students who get their degree from El Centro College make $3,179 more than the typical culinary arts graduate.

More information about a degree in culinary arts from El Centro College

16
Sullivan University crest
Sullivan University
Louisville, KY
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
86 Culinary Arts Degrees Awarded
$23,826 Median Starting Salary

Sullivan University is a small private for-profit university located in the city of Louisville. This university ranks 11th out of 38 schools for overall quality in the state of Kentucky.

There were about 86 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Sullivan University in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the culinary arts program report average early career wages of $23,826.

More information about a degree in culinary arts from Sullivan University

17
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
45 Culinary Arts Degrees Awarded
$30,232 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State is a public college with a moderately-sized student population. This college ranks 17th out of 96 schools for overall quality in the state of Ohio.

There were roughly 45 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Cincinnati State in the most recent year we have data available. Those culinary arts students who get their degree from Cincinnati State Technical and Community College make $5,377 more than the standard culinary arts graduate.

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

18
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
82 Culinary Arts Degrees Awarded
3.7% Growth in Graduates

Kapiolani CC is a medium-sized public college located in the city of Honolulu. This college ranks 5th out of 12 schools for overall quality in the state of Hawaii.

There were approximately 82 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Kapiolani CC in the most recent year we have data available. Culinary Arts degree recipients from Kapiolani Community College receive an earnings boost of approximately $3,585 over the typical income of culinary arts majors.

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

19
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
33 Culinary Arts Degrees Awarded
$38,287 Median Starting Salary

Located in the midsize city of Overland Park, JCCC is a public college with a fairly large student population. This college ranks 5th out of 47 colleges for overall quality in the state of Kansas.

There were roughly 33 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at JCCC in the most recent year we have data available. Those culinary arts students who get their degree from Johnson County Community College earn $13,432 more than the standard culinary arts graduate.

More information about a degree in culinary arts from Johnson County Community College

20
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
122 Culinary Arts Degrees Awarded
$31,816 Median Starting Salary

Located in the large suburb of Raleigh, Wake Technical Community College is a public college with a fairly large student population. This college ranks 13th out of 93 schools for overall quality in the state of North Carolina.

There were about 122 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Wake Technical Community College in the most recent year we have data available. Those culinary arts students who get their degree from Wake Technical Community College receive $6,961 more than the typical culinary arts graduate.

More information about a degree in culinary arts from Wake Technical Community College

Rest of the Top Best Culinary Arts Schools

Additional Noteworthy Schools

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Culinary Arts Schools award.

Rank College Location
26 Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, FL
27 Delaware Technical Community College - Terry Dover, DE
21 Savannah Technical College Savannah, GA
22 Cerritos College Norwalk, CA
23 Houston Community College Houston, TX
24 Milwaukee Area Technical College Milwaukee, WI
25 Miami Dade College Miami, FL

Culinary Arts by Region

View the Best Culinary Arts Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Other U.S. Territories
Great Lakes

View All Rankings >

One of 4 majors within the Personal & Culinary Services area of study, Culinary Arts has other similar majors worth exploring.

Culinary Arts Concentrations

Major Annual Graduates
Culinary Arts/Chef Training 9,052
Baking & Pastry Arts/Baker/Pastry Chef 4,322
General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts 3,156
Restaurant, Culinary, & Catering Management/Manager 1,380
Food Preparation/Professional Cooking/Kitchen Assistant 801
Other Culinary Arts & Related Services 433
Culinary Science/Culinology 196
Bartending/Bartender 183
Institutional Food Workers 157
Food Service, Waiter/Waitress, & Dining Room Management/Manager 84

View All Culinary Arts Concentrations >

Related Major Annual Graduates
Cosmetology 107,895
Funeral & Mortuary Science 2,354
Casino Operations and Services 192
Other Personal & Culinary Services 81

View All Culinary Arts Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options