2027 Best Culinary Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Culinary Arts is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. 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 45 schools to find the best for culinary arts students.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Culinary Arts in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall culinary arts education in the Great Lakes Region.
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. About 66 culinary arts degrees were awarded at Fox Valley Technical College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Fox Valley Technical College generally make around $34,736. Typical student debt for the program is $14,234.
See the full culinary arts program report for Fox Valley Technical College
Students looking for a strong culinary arts program will find one at Madison Area Technical College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Madison, Madison Area Technical College is a large public institution. There were roughly 72 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Madison Area Technical College in the most recent data year. Culinary Arts graduates of Madison Area Technical College earn a median of $44,279 early in their careers. Madison Area Technical College graduates carry a median of $16,812 in student loans.
See the full culinary arts program report for Madison Area Technical College
Chippewa Valley Technical College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best culinary arts schools. 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. Culinary Arts graduates of Chippewa Valley Technical College earn a median of $45,531 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,234.
More information about a degree in culinary arts from Chippewa Valley Technical College
Students looking for a strong culinary arts program will find one at College Of Dupage, which ranked #4. 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. Culinary Arts graduates of College Of Dupage earn a median of $26,952 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $12,492 to complete this degree.
Read more about the culinary arts program at College Of Dupage
A rank of #5 makes College Of Lake County one of the top schools for culinary arts. Set in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public institution. College Of Lake County awarded about 107 culinary arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from College Of Lake County generally make around $50,314. Students borrow a median of $9,785 to complete this degree.
Read more about the culinary arts program at College Of Lake County
National Louis University landed the #6 spot for culinary arts this year. Located in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 30%. About 133 culinary arts degrees were awarded at National Louis University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from National Louis University generally make around $24,786. Typical student debt for the program is $17,500.
Get the full culinary arts details for National Louis University
Lakeshore Technical College placed #7 among the best culinary arts schools. Located in the rural area of Cleveland, Lakeshore Technical College is a mid-sized public university. There were roughly 41 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Lakeshore Technical College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the culinary arts program make about $41,252 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,582.
See the full culinary arts program report for Lakeshore Technical College
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College came in at #8 for culinary arts this year. Set in the rural area of Fennimore, Southwest Wisconsin Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Southwest Wisconsin Technical College awarded about 12 culinary arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Southwest Wisconsin Technical College generally make around $42,087. Southwest Wisconsin Technical College graduates carry a median of $12,112 in student loans.
See the full culinary arts program report for Southwest Wisconsin Technical College
Joliet Junior College landed the #9 spot for culinary arts this year. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. About 90 culinary arts degrees were awarded at Joliet Junior College in the most recent year. Culinary Arts graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $28,252 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,375 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in culinary arts from Joliet Junior College
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College landed the #10 spot for culinary arts this year. Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. About 69 culinary arts degrees were awarded at Cincinnati State Technical And Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Cincinnati State Technical And Community College generally make around $36,330. Students borrow a median of $12,145 to complete this degree.
Read more about the culinary arts program at Cincinnati State Technical And Community College
Grand Rapids Community College placed #11 among the best culinary arts schools. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Community College is a large public institution. Grand Rapids Community College awarded about 83 culinary arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their culinary arts degree from Grand Rapids Community College earn around $26,052 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,625 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in culinary arts from Grand Rapids Community College
Elgin Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best culinary arts schools. Elgin Community College is a large public school located in the city of Elgin. Elgin Community College awarded about 96 culinary arts degrees in the most recent data year. Culinary Arts graduates of Elgin Community College earn a median of $43,975 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $7,727 to complete this degree.
Read more about the culinary arts program at Elgin Community College
Gateway Technical College placed #13 among the best culinary arts schools. Located in the city of Kenosha, Gateway Technical College is a large public university. There were roughly 76 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Gateway Technical College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their culinary arts degree from Gateway Technical College earn around $42,410 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,829 to complete this degree.
Read more about the culinary arts program at Gateway Technical College
Waukesha County Technical College earned the #14 position for culinary arts this year. Waukesha County Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Pewaukee. There were roughly 39 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Waukesha County Technical College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the culinary arts program make about $46,398 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,595.
More information about a degree in culinary arts from Waukesha County Technical College
Moraine Park Technical College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best culinary arts schools. Set in the city of Fond du Lac, Moraine Park Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 18 culinary arts degrees were awarded at Moraine Park Technical College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Moraine Park Technical College generally make around $39,552. Moraine Park Technical College graduates carry a median of $11,471 in student loans.
More information about a degree in culinary arts from Moraine Park Technical College
Cuyahoga Community College District came in at #16 for culinary arts this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public institution. Cuyahoga Community College District awarded about 83 culinary arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Cuyahoga Community College District generally make around $39,394. Typical student debt for the program is $14,636.
Get the full culinary arts details for Cuyahoga Community College District
Milwaukee Area Technical College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best culinary arts schools. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 94 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Milwaukee Area Technical College in the most recent data year. Culinary Arts graduates of Milwaukee Area Technical College earn a median of $25,304 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,386.
See the full culinary arts program report for Milwaukee Area Technical College
Baker College Of Flint landed the #18 spot for culinary arts this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Owosso. Roughly 30% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 50 culinary arts degrees were awarded at Baker College Of Flint in the most recent year. Culinary Arts graduates of Baker College Of Flint earn a median of $25,204 early in their careers. Baker College Of Flint graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans.
See the full culinary arts program report for Baker College Of Flint
Mchenry County College landed the #19 spot for culinary arts this year. Set in the rural area of Crystal Lake, Mchenry County College is a large public institution. Mchenry County College awarded about 58 culinary arts degrees in the most recent data year. Culinary Arts graduates of Mchenry County College earn a median of $24,177 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $7,440.
Get the full culinary arts details for Mchenry County College
Northwestern Michigan College came in at #20 for culinary arts this year. Northwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Traverse City. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. There were roughly 24 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern Michigan College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the culinary arts program make about $26,586 in their early career. Northwestern Michigan College graduates carry a median of $14,199 in student loans.
Read more about the culinary arts program at Northwestern Michigan College
Mid State Technical College landed the #21 spot for culinary arts this year. Set in the town of Wisconsin Rapids, Mid State Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Mid State Technical College awarded about 15 culinary arts degrees in the most recent data year. Culinary Arts graduates of Mid State Technical College earn a median of $41,678 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,626.
Read more about the culinary arts program at Mid State Technical College
Richland Community College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best culinary arts schools. Set in the city of Decatur, Richland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. There were roughly 23 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Richland Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Richland Community College generally make around $46,233. Typical student debt for the program is $9,562.
More information about a degree in culinary arts from Richland Community College
Northcentral Technical College earned the #23 position for culinary arts this year. Set in the city of Wausau, Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 19 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Northcentral Technical College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Northcentral Technical College generally make around $41,696. Typical student debt for the program is $11,709.
Read more about the culinary arts program at Northcentral Technical College
Lake Land College placed #24 among the best culinary arts schools. Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mattoon. There were roughly 227 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Lake Land College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Lake Land College generally make around $14,366. Typical student debt for the program is $5,163.
See the full culinary arts program report for Lake Land College
Kalamazoo Valley Community College came in at #25 for culinary arts this year. Located in the suburb of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 28 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Kalamazoo Valley Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their culinary arts degree from Kalamazoo Valley Community College earn around $26,843 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,382 to complete this degree.
Get the full culinary arts details for Kalamazoo Valley Community College
Rest of the Top 45 Culinary Arts Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong culinary arts education:
Narrow Culinary Arts Schools by State
More Culinary Arts Rankings
View All Culinary Arts Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 45 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.
