Culinary Arts programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 371 schools to find the best for culinary arts students.
The culinary arts program you select can have a big impact on your future. That is why we built our Best Culinary Arts Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Culinary Arts School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Culinary Arts Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Best Schools for Culinary Arts in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the culinary arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Boston University, our #1 school for culinary arts. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Boston. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 38 culinary arts degrees were awarded at Boston University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $63,598. Students borrow a median of $25,232 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in culinary arts from Boston University
Seattle Community College Central Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in culinary arts, ranking #2. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Seattle. There were roughly 57 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Seattle Community College Central Campus in the most recent data year. Culinary Arts graduates of Seattle Community College Central Campus earn a median of $53,048 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,699 to complete this degree.
Get the full culinary arts details for Seattle Community College Central Campus
Fox Valley Technical College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best culinary arts schools. Located in the suburb of Appleton, Fox Valley Technical College is a large public university. Fox Valley Technical College awarded about 66 culinary arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their culinary arts degree from Fox Valley Technical College earn around $34,736 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,234 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in culinary arts from Fox Valley Technical College
Students looking for a strong culinary arts program will find one at Madison Area Technical College, which ranked #4. Madison Area Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Madison. Madison Area Technical College awarded about 72 culinary arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their culinary arts degree from Madison Area Technical College earn around $44,279 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,812 to complete this degree.
Read more about the culinary arts program at Madison Area Technical College
Students looking for a strong culinary arts program will find one at Miami Dade College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public university. About 138 culinary arts degrees were awarded at Miami Dade College in the most recent year. Culinary Arts graduates of Miami Dade College earn a median of $31,101 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,882 to complete this degree.
See the full culinary arts program report for Miami Dade College
Culinary Institute Of America landed the #6 spot for culinary arts this year. Culinary Institute Of America is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hyde Park. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. About 768 culinary arts degrees were awarded at Culinary Institute Of America in the most recent year. Graduates of the culinary arts program make about $35,929 in their early career. Culinary Institute Of America graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans.
Get the full culinary arts details for Culinary Institute Of America
El Centro College landed the #7 spot for culinary arts this year. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. There were roughly 225 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at El Centro College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $31,127. Students borrow a median of $9,218 to complete this degree.
Get the full culinary arts details for El Centro College
Salt Lake Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best culinary arts schools. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public university. About 21 culinary arts degrees were awarded at Salt Lake Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their culinary arts degree from Salt Lake Community College earn around $31,788 in the first couple years of their career. Salt Lake Community College graduates carry a median of $10,855 in student loans.
More information about a degree in culinary arts from Salt Lake Community College
Capital Community College came in at #9 for culinary arts this year. Located in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public university. About 60 culinary arts degrees were awarded at Capital Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the culinary arts program make about $43,086 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,059.
See the full culinary arts program report for Capital Community College
Suffolk County Community College earned the #10 position for culinary arts this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Selden. Suffolk County Community College awarded about 42 culinary arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their culinary arts degree from Suffolk County Community College earn around $35,667 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $11,246 to complete this degree.
Read more about the culinary arts program at Suffolk County Community College
Chippewa Valley Technical College landed the #11 spot for culinary arts this year. Located in the city of Eau Claire, Chippewa Valley Technical College is a large public university. There were roughly 30 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Chippewa Valley Technical College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their culinary arts degree from Chippewa Valley Technical College earn around $45,531 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,234.
See the full culinary arts program report for Chippewa Valley Technical College
Southern Maine Community College placed #12 among the best culinary arts schools. Located in the city of South Portland, Southern Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 15 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Southern Maine Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Southern Maine Community College generally make around $41,328. Typical student debt for the program is $13,869.
Get the full culinary arts details for Southern Maine Community College
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus placed #13 among the best culinary arts schools. Located in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. About 56 culinary arts degrees were awarded at Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their culinary arts degree from Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earn around $29,155 in the first couple years of their career. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans.
Read more about the culinary arts program at Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus
Johnson And Wales University Providence came in at #14 for culinary arts this year. Johnson And Wales University Providence is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. There were roughly 350 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Johnson And Wales University Providence in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Johnson And Wales University Providence generally make around $30,145. Students borrow a median of $20,873 to complete this degree.
See the full culinary arts program report for Johnson And Wales University Providence
Johnson County Community College earned the #15 position for culinary arts this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Overland Park. There were roughly 42 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Johnson County Community College in the most recent data year. Culinary Arts graduates of Johnson County Community College earn a median of $38,977 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,532.
See the full culinary arts program report for Johnson County Community College
Des Moines Area Community College earned the #16 position for culinary arts this year. Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ankeny. There were roughly 44 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Des Moines Area Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the culinary arts program make about $26,913 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $11,167 to complete this degree.
Read more about the culinary arts program at Des Moines Area Community College
College Of Dupage ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best culinary arts schools. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. There were roughly 39 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at College Of Dupage in the most recent data year. Students who receive their culinary arts degree from College Of Dupage earn around $26,952 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $12,492 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in culinary arts from College Of Dupage
Cabrillo College landed the #18 spot for culinary arts this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Aptos. About 76 culinary arts degrees were awarded at Cabrillo College in the most recent year. Culinary Arts graduates of Cabrillo College earn a median of $47,750 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,425 to complete this degree.
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Austin Community College District earned the #19 position for culinary arts this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Austin. About 32 culinary arts degrees were awarded at Austin Community College District in the most recent year. Culinary Arts graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,519.
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Delaware Technical Community College Terry placed #20 among the best culinary arts schools. Located in the city of Dover, Delaware Technical Community College Terry is a large public university. There were roughly 39 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Delaware Technical Community College Terry in the most recent data year. Graduates of the culinary arts program make about $26,031 in their early career. Delaware Technical Community College Terry graduates carry a median of $11,154 in student loans.
Get the full culinary arts details for Delaware Technical Community College Terry
Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins earned the #21 position for culinary arts this year. Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins is a large public school located in the city of Warner Robins. There were roughly 62 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins in the most recent data year. Culinary Arts graduates of Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins earn a median of $39,765 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,693.
More information about a degree in culinary arts from Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins
Hennepin Technical College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best culinary arts schools. Set in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, Hennepin Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Hennepin Technical College awarded about 57 culinary arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their culinary arts degree from Hennepin Technical College earn around $52,059 in the first couple years of their career. Hennepin Technical College graduates carry a median of $17,887 in student loans.
Get the full culinary arts details for Hennepin Technical College
Utah Valley University earned the #23 position for culinary arts this year. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 40%. There were roughly 82 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Utah Valley University in the most recent data year. Culinary Arts graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $27,056 early in their careers. Utah Valley University graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans.
More information about a degree in culinary arts from Utah Valley University
College Of Lake County came in at #24 for culinary arts this year. Set in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public institution. There were roughly 107 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at College Of Lake County in the most recent data year. Students who receive their culinary arts degree from College Of Lake County earn around $50,314 in the first couple years of their career. College Of Lake County graduates carry a median of $9,785 in student loans.
More information about a degree in culinary arts from College Of Lake County
National Louis University placed #25 among the best culinary arts schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. About 30% of students finish within six years. About 133 culinary arts degrees were awarded at National Louis University in the most recent year. Students who receive their culinary arts degree from National Louis University earn around $24,786 in the first couple years of their career. National Louis University graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in culinary arts from National Louis University
Rest of the Top 50 Culinary Arts Schools
These schools also placed among the best for culinary arts this year:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 371 schools evaluated.
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).
