2027 Best Culinary Arts Associate’s Degree Schools
Culinary Arts is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their culinary arts programs.
College Factual analyzed 201 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best culinary arts schools.
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Best Schools for Culinary Arts in the United States
Below are the best culinary arts schools at the associate’s degree level, ranked by the quality of the education they deliver.
Top Schools in Culinary Arts
Leading the list is Fox Valley Technical College, our #1 school for culinary arts. Set in the suburb of Appleton, Fox Valley Technical College is a large public institution. There were roughly 52 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Fox Valley Technical College in the most recent data year. Culinary Arts graduates of Fox Valley Technical College earn a median of $34,736 early in their careers. Fox Valley Technical College graduates carry a median of $14,234 in student loans.
More information about a degree in culinary arts from Fox Valley Technical College
A rank of #2 makes Seattle Community College Central Campus one of the top schools for culinary arts. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle Community College Central Campus is a moderately-sized public university. About 51 culinary arts degrees were awarded at Seattle Community College Central Campus in the most recent year. Culinary Arts graduates of Seattle Community College Central Campus earn a median of $53,048 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,699.
Read more about the culinary arts program at Seattle Community College Central Campus
Students looking for a strong culinary arts program will find one at Capital Community College, which ranked #3. This very large public university is located in the city of New Britain. Capital Community College awarded about 35 culinary arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their culinary arts degree from Capital Community College earn around $43,086 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,059.
Read more about the culinary arts program at Capital Community College
Suffolk County Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best culinary arts schools. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. Suffolk County Community College awarded about 29 culinary arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the culinary arts program make about $35,667 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,246.
More information about a degree in culinary arts from Suffolk County Community College
Students looking for a strong culinary arts program will find one at Culinary Institute Of America, which ranked #5. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Hyde Park. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. There were roughly 742 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Culinary Institute Of America in the most recent data year. Graduates of the culinary arts program make about $28,049 in their early career. Culinary Institute Of America graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans.
Read more about the culinary arts program at Culinary Institute Of America
Salt Lake Community College earned the #6 position for culinary arts this year. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public university. There were roughly 21 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Salt Lake Community College in the most recent data 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. Students borrow a median of $10,855 to complete this degree.
Get the full culinary arts details for Salt Lake Community College
Miami Dade College came in at #7 for culinary arts this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Miami. About 106 culinary arts degrees were awarded at Miami Dade College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Miami Dade College generally make around $31,101. Miami Dade College graduates carry a median of $10,882 in student loans.
More information about a degree in culinary arts from Miami Dade College
Des Moines Area Community College placed #8 among the best culinary arts schools. Located in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public university. There were roughly 29 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Des Moines Area Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Des Moines Area Community College generally make around $26,913. Des Moines Area Community College graduates carry a median of $11,167 in student loans.
Read more about the culinary arts program at Des Moines Area Community College
Austin Community College District landed the #9 spot for culinary arts this year. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Austin Community College District awarded about 19 culinary arts degrees in the most recent data year. Culinary Arts graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,519 to complete this degree.
See the full culinary arts program report for Austin Community College District
Madison Area Technical College earned the #10 position for culinary arts this year. Located in the city of Madison, Madison Area Technical College is a large public university. There were roughly 72 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Madison Area Technical College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Madison Area Technical College generally make around $44,279. Typical student debt for the program is $16,812.
Get the full culinary arts details for Madison Area Technical College
College Of Dupage earned the #11 position for culinary arts this year. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. College Of Dupage awarded about 22 culinary arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $26,952. College Of Dupage graduates carry a median of $12,492 in student loans.
See the full culinary arts program report for College Of Dupage
El Centro College came in at #12 for culinary arts this year. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. About 32 culinary arts degrees were awarded at El Centro College in the most recent year. Culinary Arts graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $31,770 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $9,218 to complete this degree.
Get the full culinary arts details for El Centro College
Southern Maine Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best culinary arts schools. Set in the city of South Portland, Southern Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 15 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Southern Maine Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the culinary arts program make about $41,328 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,869 to complete this degree.
Read more about the culinary arts program at Southern Maine Community College
Delaware Technical Community College Terry earned the #14 position for culinary arts this year. Delaware Technical Community College Terry is a large public school located in the city of Dover. Delaware Technical Community College Terry awarded about 39 culinary arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Delaware Technical Community College Terry generally make around $26,031. Delaware Technical Community College Terry graduates carry a median of $11,154 in student loans.
Read more about the culinary arts program at Delaware Technical Community College Terry
Johnson County Community College earned the #15 position for culinary arts this year. Located in the city of Overland Park, Johnson County Community College is a very large public university. There were roughly 42 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Johnson County Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the culinary arts program make about $38,977 in their early career. Johnson County Community College graduates carry a median of $13,532 in student loans.
See the full culinary arts program report for Johnson County Community College
Johnson And Wales University Providence ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best culinary arts schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Providence. Johnson And Wales University Providence graduates 50% of students within six years. About 214 culinary arts degrees were awarded at Johnson And Wales University Providence in the most recent year. Graduates of the culinary arts program make about $27,514 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,745 to complete this degree.
Read more about the culinary arts program at Johnson And Wales University Providence
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best culinary arts schools. Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. About 36 culinary arts degrees were awarded at Cincinnati State Technical And Community College in the most recent year. Culinary Arts graduates of Cincinnati State Technical And Community College earn a median of $36,330 early in their careers. Cincinnati State Technical And Community College graduates carry a median of $12,145 in student loans.
Get the full culinary arts details for Cincinnati State Technical And Community College
Hennepin Technical College placed #18 among the best culinary arts schools. Set in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, Hennepin Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 32 culinary arts degrees were awarded at Hennepin Technical College in the most recent year. Graduates of the culinary arts program make about $52,059 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,887 to complete this degree.
See the full culinary arts program report for Hennepin Technical College
Brookdale Community College landed the #19 spot for culinary arts this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Lincroft. There were roughly 27 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Brookdale Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their culinary arts degree from Brookdale Community College earn around $37,374 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,651.
Read more about the culinary arts program at Brookdale Community College
Utah Valley University earned the #20 position for culinary arts this year. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. Roughly 40% of students complete a degree within six years here. Utah Valley University awarded about 82 culinary arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their culinary arts degree from Utah Valley University earn around $27,056 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete this degree.
See the full culinary arts program report for Utah Valley University
Joliet Junior College came in at #21 for culinary arts this year. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. Joliet Junior College awarded about 90 culinary arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the culinary arts program make about $28,252 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,375 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in culinary arts from Joliet Junior College
National Louis University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best culinary arts schools. Located in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit university. National Louis University graduates 30% of students within six years. About 76 culinary arts degrees were awarded at National Louis University in the most recent year. Culinary Arts graduates of National Louis University earn a median of $24,786 early in their careers. National Louis University graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans.
Get the full culinary arts details for National Louis University
Clover Park Technical College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best culinary arts schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Lakewood. Clover Park Technical College awarded about 12 culinary arts degrees in the most recent data year. Culinary Arts graduates of Clover Park Technical College earn a median of $42,209 early in their careers. Clover Park Technical College graduates carry a median of $15,154 in student loans.
See the full culinary arts program report for Clover Park Technical College
Spokane Community College placed #24 among the best culinary arts schools. This large public university is located in the city of Spokane. Spokane Community College awarded about 29 culinary arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their culinary arts degree from Spokane Community College earn around $23,529 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,486.
Read more about the culinary arts program at Spokane Community College
Cuny Kingsborough Community College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best culinary arts schools. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public university. About 38 culinary arts degrees were awarded at Cuny Kingsborough Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Cuny Kingsborough Community College generally make around $35,562. Typical student debt for the program is $7,858.
Read more about the culinary arts program at Cuny Kingsborough Community College
Rest of the Top 50 Culinary Arts Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong culinary arts education:
Honorable Mentions
These schools earned honorable mentions for culinary arts:
- #51 — Valencia College · Orlando, FL
- #52 — Elgin Community College · Elgin, IL
- #53 — Anne Arundel Community College · Arnold, MD
- #54 — Kalamazoo Valley Community College · Kalamazoo, MI
- #55 — Niagara County Community College · Sanborn, NY
- #56 — University Of Alaska Anchorage · Anchorage, AK
- #57 — Colorado Mountain College · Glenwood Springs, CO
- #58 — Middlesex County College · Edison, NJ
- #59 — Wake Technical Community College · Raleigh, NC
- #60 — Florida State College At Jacksonville · Jacksonville, FL
Other Culinary Arts Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare Culinary Arts rankings across degree levels:
View All Culinary Arts Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 201 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
