by our College Data Analytics TeamCulinary Arts programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 15 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best culinary arts schools.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall culinary arts education in Illinois.
College Of Dupage tops our 2027 ranking of the best culinary arts schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. College Of Dupage awarded about 39 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. Read more about the culinary arts program at College Of Dupage
A rank of #2 makes College Of Lake County one of the top schools for culinary arts. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Grayslake. There were roughly 107 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at College Of Lake County in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from College Of Lake County generally make around $50,314. College Of Lake County graduates carry a median of $9,785 in student loans. Read more about the culinary arts program at College Of Lake County
A rank of #3 makes National Louis University one of the top schools for culinary arts. National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. About 30% of students finish within six years. National Louis University awarded about 133 culinary arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their culinary arts degree from National Louis University earn around $24,786 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the culinary arts program at National Louis University
Joliet Junior College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in culinary arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. About 90 culinary arts degrees were awarded at Joliet Junior College in the most recent year. Students who receive their culinary arts degree from Joliet Junior College earn around $28,252 in the first couple years of their career. Joliet Junior College graduates carry a median of $16,375 in student loans. Get the full culinary arts details for Joliet Junior College
Elgin Community College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in culinary arts, ranking #5. Set in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public institution. There were roughly 96 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Elgin Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Elgin Community College generally make around $43,975. Students borrow a median of $7,727 to complete this degree. Read more about the culinary arts program at Elgin Community College
Mchenry County College earned the #6 position 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. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Mchenry County College generally make around $24,177. Students borrow a median of $7,440 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in culinary arts from Mchenry County College
Richland Community College earned the #7 position for culinary arts this year. Located in the city of Decatur, Richland Community College is a mid-sized public university. Richland Community College awarded about 23 culinary arts degrees in the most recent data year. Culinary Arts graduates of Richland Community College earn a median of $46,233 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,562. Read more about the culinary arts program at Richland Community College
Lake Land College came in at #8 for culinary arts this year. Located in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public university. About 227 culinary arts degrees were awarded at Lake Land College in the most recent year. Culinary Arts graduates of Lake Land College earn a median of $14,366 early in their careers. Lake Land College graduates carry a median of $5,163 in student loans. Read more about the culinary arts program at Lake Land College
Illinois Central College earned the #9 position for culinary arts this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of East Peoria. There were roughly 13 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Illinois Central College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the culinary arts program make about $53,190 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $12,222 to complete this degree. Read more about the culinary arts program at Illinois Central College
Kaskaskia College earned the #10 position for culinary arts this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the rural area of Centralia. Kaskaskia College awarded about 52 culinary arts degrees in the most recent data year. Culinary Arts graduates of Kaskaskia College earn a median of $45,658 early in their careers. Kaskaskia College graduates carry a median of $7,875 in student loans. Get the full culinary arts details for Kaskaskia College
Lincoln Land Community College placed #11 among the best culinary arts schools. Set in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a large public institution. There were roughly 24 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Lincoln Land Community College in the most recent data year. Culinary Arts graduates of Lincoln Land Community College earn a median of $43,834 early in their careers. Lincoln Land Community College graduates carry a median of $11,272 in student loans. Get the full culinary arts details for Lincoln Land Community College
Moraine Valley Community College placed #12 among the best culinary arts schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Palos Hills. Moraine Valley Community College awarded about 28 culinary arts degrees in the most recent data year. Culinary Arts graduates of Moraine Valley Community College earn a median of $43,844 early in their careers. Moraine Valley Community College graduates carry a median of $11,149 in student loans. Read more about the culinary arts program at Moraine Valley Community College
Danville Area Community College placed #13 among the best culinary arts schools. Danville Area Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Danville. There were roughly 11 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Danville Area Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Danville Area Community College generally make around $36,123. Danville Area Community College graduates carry a median of $9,470 in student loans. Get the full culinary arts details for Danville Area Community College
City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College earned the #14 position for culinary arts this year. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 113 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College generally make around $19,447. Typical student debt for the program is $7,986. Get the full culinary arts details for City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College
Southwestern Illinois College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best culinary arts schools. Southwestern Illinois College is a large public school located in the suburb of Belleville. About 20 culinary arts degrees were awarded at Southwestern Illinois College in the most recent year. Graduates of the culinary arts program make about $44,345 in their early career. Southwestern Illinois College graduates carry a median of $10,388 in student loans. More information about a degree in culinary arts from Southwestern Illinois College
This list is compiled 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 · 15 schools evaluated.
More about our data sources and methodologies.