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2024 Best Culinary Arts Schools

138 Colleges in the United States
22,075 Culinary Arts Degrees Awarded
$24,478 Avg Early-Career Salary
If you plan on majoring in culinary arts, you won't be alone since the degree program is ranked #97 in the country in terms of popularity. This means you won't have too much trouble finding schools that offer the degree.

In 2024, College Factual analyzed 138 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Culinary Arts Schools ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 22,075 degrees in culinary arts during the 2021-2022 academic year.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Culinary Arts School

Best Culinary Arts Schools The culinary arts program you select can have a big impact on your future. That's why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Culinary Arts rankings. In order to come up with a best overall ranking for culinary arts schools, we combine our degree-level rankings, weighting them by the number of degrees awarded at each level.

You may want to choose one of the degree levels below to find the schools of most interest to you.

Culinary Arts Rankings by Degree Level

Associate Degrees in Culinary Arts
Bachelor's Degrees in Culinary Arts
Master's Degrees in Culinary Arts

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we've developed a number of rankings, including this Best Culinary Arts Schools list, to help you choose the best school for you. You can also filter this list by location to find schools closer to you.

In addition to College Factual's rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don't forget it.

More information on how we come up with our rankings can be found here: College Factual's Data Methodology.


 

Best Schools for Culinary Arts in the United States

Although we recommend filtering by degree level first, you can view the list below to see which schools give the educational experience for the culinary arts degree levels they offer. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

20 Top Schools in Culinary Arts

1
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
661 Culinary Arts Degrees Awarded
$39,483 Median Starting Salary

Every student who is interested in culinary arts needs to check out Culinary Institute of America. Located in the suburb of Hyde Park, The Culinary Institute of America is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

There were approximately 661 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at The Culinary Institute of America in the most recent year we have data available. Those culinary arts students who get their degree from Culinary Institute of America make $15,005 more than the standard culinary arts grad.

More information about a degree in culinary arts from Culinary Institute of America

2
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
$38,764 Median Starting Salary

Boston University is a good choice for students interested in a degree in culinary arts. Boston U is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Boston. A Best Colleges rank of #54 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Boston U is a great university overall.

There were approximately 15 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Boston U in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the culinary arts degree program at Boston University get $14,286 more than the average graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in culinary arts from Boston University

3
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
536 Culinary Arts Degrees Awarded
24.8% Growth in Graduates

Johnson & Wales University - Providence is one of the best schools in the United States for getting a degree in culinary arts. JWU Providence is a small private not-for-profit university located in the medium-sized city of Providence. This university ranks 6th out of 9 colleges for overall quality in the state of Rhode Island.

There were about 536 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at JWU Providence in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the culinary arts major at Johnson & Wales University - Providence earn $3,980 above the standard college graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in culinary arts from Johnson & Wales University - Providence

4
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
93 Culinary Arts Degrees Awarded
43.0% Growth in Graduates

It is hard to beat National Louis University if you wish to pursue a degree in culinary arts. Located in the city of Chicago, NLU is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population. A Best Colleges rank of #393 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means NLU is a great university overall.

There were approximately 93 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at NLU in the most recent data year. Culinary Arts degree recipients from National Louis University earn a boost of around $6,907 over the typical earnings of culinary arts graduates.

More information about a degree in culinary arts from National Louis University

5
Valencia College crest
Valencia College
Orlando, FL
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
467 Culinary Arts Degrees Awarded
26.8% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of Orlando, Valencia College is a public college with a fairly large student population. This college ranks 14th out of 77 colleges for overall quality in the state of Florida.

There were about 467 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Valencia College in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the culinary arts program report average early career income of $24,166.

More information about a degree in culinary arts from Valencia College

6
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
151 Culinary Arts Degrees Awarded
88.7% Growth in Graduates

Located in the distant town of Indiana, IUP is a public university with a moderately-sized student population. This university ranks 49th out of 109 colleges for overall quality in the state of Pennsylvania.

There were about 151 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at IUP in the most recent year we have data available. Those culinary arts students who get their degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus earn $5,041 more than the standard culinary arts student.

More information about a degree in culinary arts from Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus

7
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
5th Most Popular In WA
31 Culinary Arts Degrees Awarded

CPTC is a small public college located in the city of Lakewood. A Best Colleges rank of #389 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means CPTC is a great college overall.

There were approximately 31 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at CPTC in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in culinary arts from Clover Park Technical College

8
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
218 Culinary Arts Degrees Awarded
5.5% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of Charlotte, JWU Charlotte is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population. A Best Colleges rank of #425 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means JWU Charlotte is a great university overall.

There were roughly 218 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at JWU Charlotte in the most recent year we have data available. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients typically make about $26,084 in their early careers.

More information about a degree in culinary arts from Johnson & Wales University - Charlotte

9
Saint Paul College crest
Saint Paul College
Saint Paul, MN
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In MN
33 Culinary Arts Degrees Awarded

Saint Paul College is a moderately-sized public college located in the city of Saint Paul. This college ranks 37th out of 52 colleges for overall quality in the state of Minnesota.

There were approximately 33 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Saint Paul College in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in culinary arts from Saint Paul College

10
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
3,638 Culinary Arts Degrees Awarded
33.5% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of Boulder, Escoffier - Boulder is a private for-profit school with a moderately-sized student population.

There were roughly 3637.9999999999995 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Escoffier - Boulder in the most recent data year. Those culinary arts students who get their degree from Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts - Boulder make $2,220 more than the average culinary arts student.

More information about a degree in culinary arts from Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts - Boulder

11
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
44 Culinary Arts Degrees Awarded
$29,703 Median Starting Salary

Located in the large city of Madison, Madison College is a public college with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #419 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Madison College is a great college overall.

There were about 44 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Madison College in the most recent year we have data available. Those culinary arts students who get their degree from Madison Area Technical College receive $5,225 more than the average culinary arts student.

More information about a degree in culinary arts from Madison Area Technical College

12
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
3rd Most Popular In WI
12.5% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of Eau Claire, CVTC is a public college with a medium-sized student population. A Best Colleges rank of #410 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means CVTC is a great college overall.

There were approximately 24 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at CVTC in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in culinary arts from Chippewa Valley Technical College

13
ECPI University crest
ECPI University
Virginia Beach, VA
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
122 Culinary Arts Degrees Awarded
$22,745 Median Starting Salary

ECPI University is a large private for-profit university located in the large city of Virginia Beach. A Best Colleges rank of #322 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means ECPI University is a great university overall.

There were about 122 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at ECPI University in the most recent year we have data available. After graduating, culinary arts degree recipients usually earn around $22,745 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a degree in culinary arts from ECPI University

14
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
7th Most Popular In WI
34 Culinary Arts Degrees Awarded

Located in the suburb of Kenosha, Gateway Technical College is a public college with a medium-sized student population. This college ranks 9th out of 46 schools for overall quality in the state of Wisconsin.

There were roughly 34 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Gateway Technical College in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in culinary arts from Gateway Technical College

15
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
112 Culinary Arts Degrees Awarded
$28,035 Median Starting Salary

El Centro College is a fairly large public college located in the city of Dallas. A Best Colleges rank of #362 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means El Centro College is a great college overall.

There were approximately 112 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at El Centro College in the most recent year we have data available. Those culinary arts students who get their degree from El Centro College receive $3,556 more than the average culinary arts graduate.

More information about a degree in culinary arts from El Centro College

16
Sullivan University crest
Sullivan University
Louisville, KY
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
70 Culinary Arts Degrees Awarded
$23,826 Median Starting Salary

Sullivan University is a small private for-profit university located in the large city of Louisville. This university ranks 11th out of 38 colleges for overall quality in the state of Kentucky.

There were about 70 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Sullivan University in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the culinary arts program state that they receive average early career income of $23,826.

More information about a degree in culinary arts from Sullivan University

17
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
70 Culinary Arts Degrees Awarded
35.7% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State is a public college with a medium-sized student population. This college ranks 17th out of 96 colleges for overall quality in the state of Ohio.

There were roughly 70 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Cincinnati State in the most recent year we have data available. Culinary Arts degree recipients from Cincinnati State Technical and Community College earn a boost of around $5,754 above the average earnings of culinary arts majors.

More information about a degree in culinary arts from Cincinnati State Technical and Community College

18
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
86 Culinary Arts Degrees Awarded
4.7% Growth in Graduates

Kapiolani CC is a medium-sized public college located in the city of Honolulu. This college ranks 5th out of 12 schools for overall quality in the state of Hawaii.

There were about 86 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Kapiolani CC in the most recent year we have data available. Those culinary arts students who get their degree from Kapiolani Community College make $3,962 more than the typical culinary arts student.

More information about a degree in culinary arts from Kapiolani Community College

19
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
$38,287 Median Starting Salary

Located in the midsize city of Overland Park, JCCC is a public college with a fairly large student population. This college ranks 5th out of 47 schools for overall quality in the state of Kansas.

There were approximately 24 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at JCCC in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the culinary arts major at Johnson County Community College get $13,809 above the typical college grad with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in culinary arts from Johnson County Community College

20
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
68 Culinary Arts Degrees Awarded
$31,816 Median Starting Salary

Located in the large suburb of Raleigh, Wake Technical Community College is a public college with a fairly large student population. This college ranks 13th out of 93 schools for overall quality in the state of North Carolina.

There were approximately 68 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Wake Technical Community College in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the culinary arts program at Wake Technical Community College make $7,338 above the average college graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in culinary arts from Wake Technical Community College

Rest of the Top Best Culinary Arts Schools

Additional Noteworthy Schools

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Culinary Arts Schools award.

RankCollegeLocation
26Keiser University - Ft LauderdaleFort Lauderdale, FL
27Delaware Technical Community College - TerryDover, DE
21Savannah Technical CollegeSavannah, GA
22Cerritos CollegeNorwalk, CA
23Houston Community CollegeHouston, TX
24Milwaukee Area Technical CollegeMilwaukee, WI
25Miami Dade CollegeMiami, FL

Culinary Arts by Region

View the Best Culinary Arts Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Other U.S. Territories
Great Lakes

View All Rankings >

One of 4 majors within the Personal & Culinary Services area of study, Culinary Arts has other similar majors worth exploring.

Culinary Arts Concentrations

MajorAnnual Graduates
Culinary Arts/Chef Training10,546
Baking & Pastry Arts/Baker/Pastry Chef5,029
General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts3,303
Restaurant, Culinary, & Catering Management/Manager1,394
Food Preparation/Professional Cooking/Kitchen Assistant786
Other Culinary Arts & Related Services335
Institutional Food Workers204
Culinary Science/Culinology203
Bartending/Bartender157
Food Service, Waiter/Waitress, & Dining Room Management/Manager82

View All Culinary Arts Concentrations >

Related MajorAnnual Graduates
Cosmetology124,611
Funeral & Mortuary Science2,186
Casino Operations and Services385
Other Personal & Culinary Services95

View All Culinary Arts Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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