by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2024, College Factual analyzed 9 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Culinary Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 297 associate degrees in culinary arts to qualified students.
What's on this page: * Our Methodology
Your choice of culinary arts for getting your associate degree school matters. Important measures of a quality culinary arts program can vary widely even among the top schools. To make it into this list, a school must excel in the following areas.
A school that excels in educating for a particular major and degree level must be a great school overall as well. To take this into account we include a school's overall Best Colleges ranking which itself looks at a collection of various factors like degree completion, educational resources, student body caliber and post-graduation earnings for the school as a whole.
Average early-career salary of those graduating with their associate degree is one indicator we use in our analysis to find the schools that offer the highest-quality education. That is, everyone wants their associate degree to be worth something, and salaries are one measure of determining that.
The metrics below are just some of the other metrics that we use to determine our rankings.
Our full ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best schools for culinary arts students working on their associate degree.
When choosing the right school for you, it's important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we've created a number of major-specific rankings, including this Best Culinary Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list to help you make the college decision.
Learn about the top ranked colleges and universities for culinary arts students seeking a an associate degree.
Saint Paul College is a good option for students interested in an associate degree in culinary arts. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Saint Paul College is a public college with a medium-sized student population.More information about a associate in culinary arts from Saint Paul College
Johnson County Community College is one of the finest schools in the country for getting an associate degree in culinary arts. JCCC is a fairly large public college located in the city of Overland Park.
Culinary Arts associate degree recipients from Johnson County Community College earn a boost of about $12,412 above the typical income of culinary arts majors.
More information about a associate in culinary arts from Johnson County Community College
Des Moines Area Community College is one of the finest schools in the country for getting an associate degree in culinary arts. DMACC is a very large public college located in the large suburb of Ankeny.
Culinary Arts associate degree recipients from Des Moines Area Community College earn a boost of around $5,095 over the typical income of culinary arts graduates.
More information about a associate in culinary arts from Des Moines Area Community College
It's difficult to beat Kirkwood Community College if you wish to pursue an associate degree in culinary arts. Kirkwood Community College is a fairly large public college located in the medium-sized city of Cedar Rapids.
Students who graduate with their associate from the culinary arts program report average early career earnings of $26,926.
More information about a associate in culinary arts from Kirkwood Community College
Southeast Community College is a moderately-sized public college located in the large city of Lincoln.
After graduating, culinary arts associate recipients typically earn around $24,176 at the beginning of their careers.
More information about a associate in culinary arts from Southeast Community College Area
Located in the city of Springfield, OTC is a public college with a fairly large student population.
Students who graduate with their associate from the culinary arts program state that they receive average early career earnings of $23,062.
More information about a associate in culinary arts from Ozarks Technical Community College
Located in the suburb of Bridgeton, Saint Louis Community College is a public college with a fairly large student population.
Associate students who receive their degree from the culinary arts program make an average of $22,897 in their early career salary.
More information about a associate in culinary arts from Saint Louis Community College
Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public college located in the city of Sioux City.
Associate students who receive their degree from the culinary arts program earn about $19,772 in their early career salary.
More information about a associate in culinary arts from Western Iowa Tech Community College
Butler CC is a medium-sized public college located in the distant town of El Dorado.
After graduation, culinary arts associate recipients typically make about $23,217 at the beginning of their careers.
More information about a associate in culinary arts from Butler Community CollegeExplore the best culinary arts colleges for a specific state in the Plains States Region .
| State | Colleges | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | 151 | 37 |
| Kansas | 146 | 39 |
| Missouri | 117 | 64 |
| Iowa | 116 | 85 |
| Nebraska | 98 | 66 |
| South Dakota | 93 | 2 |
| North Dakota | 92 | 4 |
One of 4 majors within the Personal & Culinary Services area of study, Culinary Arts has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Culinary Arts/Chef Training | 192 |
| Restaurant, Culinary, & Catering Management/Manager | 62 |
| General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts | 25 |
| Baking & Pastry Arts/Baker/Pastry Chef | 18 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Cosmetology | 85 |
| Funeral & Mortuary Science | 55 |
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