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Associate Degree in Culinary Arts

Associate Degrees in Culinary Arts

7,239 Yearly Graduations
$25,589 Median Salary
$14,167 Median Debt
There are 426 colleges and univerities across the nation that offer an associate degree in culinary arts. In recent years, the majority of the students getting degrees in this area were female, and 50% were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Also, 2.6% of culinary arts graduates were international students.

Education Levels of Culinary Arts Majors

In 2021-2022, 7,239 earned their associate degree in culinary arts. This makes it the 7th most popular associate degree program in the country.

The following table shows the number of diplomas awarded in culinary arts at each degree level.

Education Level Number of Grads
Undergraduate Certificate 8,074
Associate Degree 7,239
Basic Certificate 6,246
Bachelor’s Degree 498

Earnings of Culinary Arts Majors With Associate Degrees

The median salary for graduates holding an associate degree in culinary arts is $25,589. A lot of factors can contribute to this number, such as the location of your workplace and the availability of other perks and bonuses. To get a better picture, earnings for this category of people can range from a low of $22,960 to a high of $27,464.

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Student Debt

The median student debt for graduates holding an associate degree in culinary arts is $14,167. The length of time it takes you to graduate and what college you attend can affect this number quite a bit. The chart below shows the range of accumulated debt loads. On the high side of the range, $18,874 is the debt load, and the debt load on the low side is $11,853.

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The median monthly payment of a culinary arts graduate with a 10-year repayment plan is $227.

Student Diversity

More women than men pursue their associate degree in culinary arts. About 61.4% of graduates with this degree are female.

Gender Number of Grads
Men 2,794
Women 4,445
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The racial-ethnic distribution of culinary arts associate degree students is as follows:

Race/Ethnicity Number of Grads
Asian 364
Black or African American 1,427
Hispanic or Latino 1,403
White 3,097
International Students 189
Other Races/Ethnicities 759
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There are 426 colleges that offer an associate degree in culinary arts. Learn more about the most popular 20 below:

#1

Culinary Institute of America

Hyde Park, New York
665 Yearly Graduations
47% Women
37% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The most popular school in the United States for culinary arts students seekingan associate degree is Culinary Institute of America. Each year, around 2,900 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $33,850 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $21,140 per year. During the 2021-2022 academic year, 665 people received their associate degree in culinary arts from The Culinary Institute of America. About 47% of this group were women, and 37% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

388 Yearly Graduations
62% Women
51% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts - Boulder is the 2nd most popular school in the nation for students seeking an associate degree in culinary arts. Roughly 9,600 attend the school each year. During the 2021-2022 academic year, 388 people received their associate degree in culinary arts from Escoffier - Boulder. Of these students, 62% were women and 51% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#3

Johnson & Wales University - Providence

Providence, Rhode Island
293 Yearly Graduations
70% Women
39% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Johnson & Wales University - Providence comes in at #3 on our list of the most popular colleges offering associate degrees in culinary arts. Each year, around 5,100 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $37,896 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $15,156 per year. The culinary arts program at Johnson & Wales University - Providence awarded 293 associate degrees during the 2021-2022 school year. Of these students, 70% were women and 39% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

224 Yearly Graduations
56% Women
54% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts - Austin comes in at #4 on our list of the most popular colleges offering associate degrees in culinary arts. Roughly 500 attend the school each year. During the 2021-2022 academic year, 224 people received their associate degree in culinary arts from Escoffier - Austin. Of these students, 56% were women and 54% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#5

Johnson & Wales University - Charlotte

Charlotte, North Carolina
206 Yearly Graduations
76% Women
58% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Johnson & Wales University - Charlotte comes in at #5 on our list of the most popular colleges offering associate degrees in culinary arts. Each year, around 1,200 students seeking various degrees attend the university. For the 2021-2022 academic year, 206 associate degrees were handed out to culinary arts majors at JWU Charlotte. Around 58% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 76% were women.

#6

ECPI University

Virginia Beach, Virginia
136 Yearly Graduations
58% Women
50% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 6th most popular school in the country for culinary arts majors who are seeking their associate degree is ECPI University. Each year, around 12,400 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $17,424 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,960 per year. For the 2021-2022 academic year, 136 associate degrees were handed out to culinary arts majors at ECPI University. Of these students, 58% were women and 50% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#7

Sullivan University

Louisville, Kentucky
80 Yearly Graduations
58% Women
26% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Sullivan University is the 7th most popular school in the nation for students seeking an associate degree in culinary arts. Each year, around 2,500 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $14,220 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $15,840 per year. The culinary arts program at Sullivan University awarded 80 associate degrees during the 2021-2022 school year. About 58% of this group were women, and 26% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#9

Miami Dade College

Miami, Florida
64 Yearly Graduations
57% Women
82% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Miami Dade College is the 9th most popular school in the nation for students seeking an associate degree in culinary arts. Each year, around 44,000 students seeking various degrees attend the university. During the 2021-2022 academic year, 64 people received their associate degree in culinary arts from MDC. About 57% of this group were women, and 82% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#10

The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
58 Yearly Graduations
66% Women
49% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College comes in at #10 on our list of the most popular colleges offering associate degrees in culinary arts. Each year, around 200 students seeking various degrees attend the university. For the 2021-2022 academic year, 58 associate degrees were handed out to culinary arts majors at The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College. About 66% of this group were women, and 49% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#10

Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale, Florida
58 Yearly Graduations
54% Women
32% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale is the 10th most popular school in the nation for students seeking an associate degree in culinary arts. Each year, around 19,800 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $22,048 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $30,032 per year. During the 2021-2022 academic year, 58 people received their associate degree in culinary arts from Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale. Of these students, 54% were women and 32% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#12

Pikes Peak Community College

Colorado Springs, Colorado
56 Yearly Graduations
72% Women
36% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Pikes Peak Community College is the 12th most popular school in the nation for students seeking an associate degree in culinary arts. Each year, around 11,800 students seeking various degrees attend the university. During the 2021-2022 academic year, 56 people received their associate degree in culinary arts from PPCC. Of these students, 72% were women and 36% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#13

Culinary Institute Inc

Houston, Texas
55 Yearly Graduations
51% Women
71% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Culinary Institute Inc is the 13th most popular school in the nation for students seeking an associate degree in culinary arts. Each year, around 300 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The culinary arts program at Culinary Institute Inc awarded 55 associate degrees during the 2021-2022 school year. Of these students, 51% were women and 71% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#13

Valencia College

Orlando, Florida
55 Yearly Graduations
75% Women
60% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Valencia College is the 13th most popular school in the nation for students seeking an associate degree in culinary arts. Roughly 43,500 attend the school each year. For the 2021-2022 academic year, 55 associate degrees were handed out to culinary arts majors at Valencia College. Of these students, 75% were women and 60% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#15

Kapiolani Community College

Honolulu, Hawaii
54 Yearly Graduations
67% Women
79% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Kapiolani Community College is the 15th most popular school in the nation for students seeking an associate degree in culinary arts. Each year, around 6,100 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The culinary arts program at Kapiolani Community College awarded 54 associate degrees during the 2021-2022 school year. About 67% of this group were women, and 79% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#16

Niagara County Community College

Sanborn, New York
53 Yearly Graduations
69% Women
39% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 16th most popular school in the country for culinary arts majors who are seeking their associate degree is Niagara County Community College. Roughly 4,100 attend the school each year. During the 2021-2022 academic year, 53 people received their associate degree in culinary arts from Niagara County Community College. Of these students, 69% were women and 39% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#16

Louisiana Culinary Institute

Baton Rouge, Louisiana
53 Yearly Graduations
48% Women
42% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 16th most popular school in the country for culinary arts majors who are seeking their associate degree is Louisiana Culinary Institute. Roughly 0 attend the school each year. The culinary arts program at Louisiana Culinary Institute awarded 53 associate degrees during the 2021-2022 school year. Of these students, 48% were women and 42% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

51 Yearly Graduations
77% Women
95% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 18th most popular school in the country for culinary arts majors who are seeking their associate degree is City Colleges of Chicago - Kennedy-King College. Each year, around 1,900 students seeking various degrees attend the university. For the 2021-2022 academic year, 51 associate degrees were handed out to culinary arts majors at Kennedy-King College. Of these students, 77% were women and 95% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#19

Helms College

Macon, Georgia
50 Yearly Graduations
59% Women
81% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Helms College comes in at #19 on our list of the most popular colleges offering associate degrees in culinary arts. Each year, around 200 students seeking various degrees attend the university. During the 2021-2022 academic year, 50 people received their associate degree in culinary arts from Helms College. About 59% of this group were women, and 81% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#20

College of Southern Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada
46 Yearly Graduations
71% Women
68% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 20th most popular school in the country for culinary arts majors who are seeking their associate degree is College of Southern Nevada. Roughly 29,900 attend the school each year. During the 2021-2022 academic year, 46 people received their associate degree in culinary arts from CSN. Of these students, 71% were women and 68% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

Culinary Arts Focus Areas

Major Annual Degrees Awarded
Chef Training 4,205
Baking & Pastry Arts 1,497
General Cooking & Culinary Arts 833
Restaurant & Catering Management 569
Other Culinary Arts 56

Below are some popular majors that are similar to culinary arts that offer associate degrees.

Major Annual Degrees Awarded
Funeral & Mortuary Science 1,337
Cosmetology 1,192
Other Personal & Culinary Services 2

References

*The racial-ethnic minority student count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students, international students, and students whose race/ethnicity was unknown. This number is then divided by the total number of students at the school to obtain the percentage of racial-ethnic minorities.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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