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2026 Best Culinary Arts Associate’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Culinary Arts associate’s degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 550 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To arm you with the information you need, Trade College evaluated schools to produce this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Culinary Arts Associate’s Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
No school ranked higher than Auguste Escoffier School Of Culinary Arts Boulder this year in the United States. Auguste Escoffier School Of Culinary Arts Boulder is a private for-profit school based in Boulder, CO. Auguste Escoffier School Of Culinary Arts Boulder Culinary Arts students take on a median of $14,198 in debt. More on Auguste Escoffier School Of Culinary Arts Boulder
Out of the 550 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Culinary Institute Of America landed the #2 spot. Based in Hyde Park, NY, Culinary Institute Of America is a private not-for-profit institution. Culinary Institute Of America posts a six-year graduation rate of 53%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,670. Typical Culinary Arts student debt is $19,500. More on Culinary Institute Of America
The strong Culinary Arts programs at Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earned it the #3 place in the United States. Located in Indiana, PA, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a public institution. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 54%. In-state tuition and fees average $11,380, with out-of-state students paying around $16,297. Graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. See the full Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus profile
The strong Culinary Arts programs at Chippewa Valley Technical College earned it the #4 place in the United States. Set in Eau Claire, WI, Chippewa Valley Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,844, while out-of-state students pay about $7,087. Chippewa Valley Technical College Culinary Arts students take on a median of $14,234 in debt. Read the full report on Chippewa Valley Technical College
Johnson County Community College came in at #5 on this year's Culinary Arts ranking in the United States. Located in Overland Park, KS, Johnson County Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,424, with out-of-state students paying around $5,688. Johnson County Community College Culinary Arts students take on a median of $13,532 in debt. Get the full Johnson County Community College report
Auguste Escoffier School Of Culinary Arts Austin landed the #6 spot in the United States this year. Based in Austin, TX, Auguste Escoffier School Of Culinary Arts Austin is a private for-profit institution. Typical Culinary Arts student debt is $16,491. See the full Auguste Escoffier School Of Culinary Arts Austin profile
Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College came in at #7 in this year's ranking. Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a public school based in Saint Paul, MN. In-state tuition and fees average $6,326. Graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Read more about Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College
Cerritos College placed #8 among Culinary Arts schools in the United States. Based in Norwalk, CA, Cerritos College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. The median Culinary Arts program debt is $11,306. Read more about Cerritos College
National Louis University landed the #10 spot in the United States this year. Located in Chicago, IL, National Louis University is a private not-for-profit institution. National Louis University graduates 30% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,245. The median Culinary Arts program debt is $17,500. Get the full National Louis University report
Madison Area Technical College landed the #11 spot in the United States this year. Based in Madison, WI, Madison Area Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,977 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,141. Students borrow a median of $16,812 to complete their Culinary Arts program here. Get the full Madison Area Technical College report
Clover Park Technical College landed the #12 spot in the United States this year. Set in Lakewood, WA, Clover Park Technical College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,634. The median Culinary Arts program debt is $15,154. Read the full report on Clover Park Technical College
North Shore Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best Culinary Arts schools. Based in Danvers, MA, North Shore Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,352 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,920. North Shore Community College Culinary Arts students take on a median of $14,145 in debt. More on North Shore Community College
Des Moines Area Community College landed the #14 spot in the United States this year. Set in Ankeny, IA, Des Moines Area Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,790, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Typical Culinary Arts student debt is $11,167. More on Des Moines Area Community College
Waukesha County Technical College landed the #15 spot in the United States this year. Waukesha County Technical College is a public school based in Pewaukee, WI. In-state tuition and fees average $4,803, while out-of-state students pay about $7,046. Graduates carry a median of $16,595 in student loans. More on Waukesha County Technical College
The Restaurant School At Walnut Hill College did well this year, earning the #16 position. Set in Philadelphia, PA, The Restaurant School At Walnut Hill College is a private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $29,499 in tuition and fees. The median Culinary Arts program debt is $19,500. Read the full report on The Restaurant School At Walnut Hill College
El Centro College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best Culinary Arts schools. Located in Dallas, TX, El Centro College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,730 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. El Centro College Culinary Arts students take on a median of $9,218 in debt. See the full El Centro College profile
Pennsylvania College Of Technology came in at #18 in this year's ranking. Located in Williamsport, PA, Pennsylvania College Of Technology is a public institution. Pennsylvania College Of Technology graduates 45% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,940, while out-of-state students pay about $25,680. The median Culinary Arts program debt is $16,000. Read the full report on Pennsylvania College Of Technology
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College landed the #19 spot in the United States this year. Set in Cincinnati, OH, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,517, while out-of-state students pay about $10,044. Cincinnati State Technical And Community College Culinary Arts students take on a median of $12,145 in debt. Read the full report on Cincinnati State Technical And Community College
Johnson And Wales University Charlotte landed the #20 spot in the United States this year. Based in Charlotte, NC, Johnson And Wales University Charlotte is a private not-for-profit institution. Johnson And Wales University Charlotte graduates 34% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $41,982. The median Culinary Arts program debt is $14,745. See the full Johnson And Wales University Charlotte profile
Baker College Of Flint ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best Culinary Arts schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Owosso, MI. Baker College Of Flint graduates 30% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,000. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete their Culinary Arts program here. Read the full report on Baker College Of Flint
Sullivan University came in at #23 in this year's ranking. Set in Louisville, KY, Sullivan University is a private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,480. Students borrow a median of $15,265 to complete their Culinary Arts program here. See the full Sullivan University profile
Culinary Institute Inc did well this year, earning the #24 position. Based in Houston, TX, Culinary Institute Inc is a private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,803. Graduates carry a median of $20,144 in student loans. More on Culinary Institute Inc
Grand Rapids Community College landed the #25 spot in the United States this year. Located in Grand Rapids, MI, Grand Rapids Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,179, with out-of-state students paying around $12,219. Grand Rapids Community College Culinary Arts students take on a median of $13,625 in debt. Read more about Grand Rapids Community College
Schoolcraft College placed #27 among Culinary Arts schools in the United States. Set in Livonia, MI, Schoolcraft College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,799, while out-of-state students pay about $6,501. Schoolcraft College Culinary Arts students take on a median of $15,750 in debt. More on Schoolcraft College
Johnson And Wales University Providence ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best Culinary Arts schools. Located in Providence, RI, Johnson And Wales University Providence is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,982. The median Culinary Arts program debt is $20,873. Read the full report on Johnson And Wales University Providence
Rest of the Top 50 Best Culinary Arts Associate’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
Brookdale Community College landed the #29 spot in the United States this year. Brookdale Community College is a public school based in Lincroft, NJ. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,270, compared with $10,140 for out-of-state students. The median Culinary Arts program debt is $12,651. Read more about Brookdale Community College
Miami Dade College landed the #30 spot in the United States this year. Located in Miami, FL, Miami Dade College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,838, while out-of-state students pay about $9,661. Miami Dade College Culinary Arts students take on a median of $10,882 in debt. Read the full report on Miami Dade College
Delaware Technical Community College Terry did well this year, earning the #31 position. Set in Dover, DE, Delaware Technical Community College Terry is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,332, with out-of-state students paying around $5,763. The median Culinary Arts program debt is $11,154. Read the full report on Delaware Technical Community College Terry
Gwinnett Technical College ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best Culinary Arts schools. This public school is set in Lawrenceville, GA. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,524, while out-of-state students pay about $6,092. Students borrow a median of $18,048 to complete their Culinary Arts program here. Read the full report on Gwinnett Technical College
Suffolk County Community College placed #33 among Culinary Arts schools in the United States. This public school is set in Selden, NY. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Students borrow a median of $11,246 to complete their Culinary Arts program here. More on Suffolk County Community College
Wake Technical Community College placed #34 among Culinary Arts schools in the United States. Based in Raleigh, NC, Wake Technical Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,254, compared with $6,862 for out-of-state students. Wake Technical Community College Culinary Arts students take on a median of $13,226 in debt. Get the full Wake Technical Community College report
Gateway Technical College ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best Culinary Arts schools. Set in Kenosha, WI, Gateway Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,956, while out-of-state students pay about $7,199. Gateway Technical College Culinary Arts students take on a median of $14,829 in debt. Get the full Gateway Technical College report
Bristol Community College came in at #36 in this year's ranking. Set in Fall River, MA, Bristol Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,832 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,776. The median Culinary Arts program debt is $9,482. See the full Bristol Community College profile
Fox Valley Technical College landed the #37 spot in the United States this year. Set in Appleton, WI, Fox Valley Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,040, compared with $7,283 for out-of-state students. The median Culinary Arts program debt is $14,234. Read the full report on Fox Valley Technical College
Central Oregon Community College landed the #38 spot in the United States this year. Located in Bend, OR, Central Oregon Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,683, compared with $15,246 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $16,250 in student loans. More on Central Oregon Community College
Austin Community College District ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best Culinary Arts schools. Located in Austin, TX, Austin Community College District is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Graduates carry a median of $14,519 in student loans. More on Austin Community College District
Yti Career Institute York ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best Culinary Arts schools. Set in York, PA, Yti Career Institute York is a private for-profit institution. Yti Career Institute York Culinary Arts students take on a median of $15,445 in debt. Read more about Yti Career Institute York
Jna Institute Of Culinary Arts placed #43 among Culinary Arts schools in the United States. This private for-profit school is set in Philadelphia, PA. Students from in state pay about $14,575 in tuition and fees. Typical Culinary Arts student debt is $13,250. Read more about Jna Institute Of Culinary Arts
Kirkwood Community College ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best Culinary Arts schools. This public school is set in Cedar Rapids, IA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,176, compared with $8,220 for out-of-state students. Typical Culinary Arts student debt is $15,375. Get the full Kirkwood Community College report
Southern Maine Community College came in at #45 in this year's ranking. Set in South Portland, ME, Southern Maine Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,156 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,036. Typical Culinary Arts student debt is $13,869. Get the full Southern Maine Community College report
Central Piedmont Community College did well this year, earning the #46 position. This public school is set in Charlotte, NC. Students from in state pay about $2,792 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Typical Culinary Arts student debt is $11,861. More on Central Piedmont Community College
Milwaukee Area Technical College landed the #48 spot in the United States this year. Based in Milwaukee, WI, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,184, with out-of-state students paying around $7,427. Graduates carry a median of $19,386 in student loans. Read more about Milwaukee Area Technical College
Lee College did well this year, earning the #49 position. This public school is set in Baytown, TX. Students from in state pay about $2,520 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,045. Lee College Culinary Arts students take on a median of $10,941 in debt. Get the full Lee College report
Athens Technical College came in at #50 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Athens, GA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,390, with out-of-state students paying around $5,958. Graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Read the full report on Athens Technical College
Keiser University Ft Lauderdale came in at #52 in this year's ranking. Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL, Keiser University Ft Lauderdale is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,056. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete their Culinary Arts program here. See the full Keiser University Ft Lauderdale profile
Joliet Junior College ranked #53 on our 2026 list of the best Culinary Arts schools. Joliet Junior College is a public school based in Joliet, IL. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,530, while out-of-state students pay about $13,800. The median Culinary Arts program debt is $16,375. Get the full Joliet Junior College report
Central Carolina Community College ranked #54 on our 2026 list of the best Culinary Arts schools. This public school is set in Sanford, NC. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,711, while out-of-state students pay about $8,855. Graduates carry a median of $10,266 in student loans. Get the full Central Carolina Community College report
Southeast Community College Area came in at #55 in this year's ranking. Set in Lincoln, NE, Southeast Community College Area is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,444, with out-of-state students paying around $4,032. Graduates carry a median of $19,146 in student loans. See the full Southeast Community College Area profile
Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee did well this year, earning the #56 position. Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee is a public school based in Okmulgee, OK. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,774, compared with $11,384 for out-of-state students. Typical Culinary Arts student debt is $12,500. Read more about Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee
Paul Smiths College Of Arts And Science came in at #57 in this year's ranking. Set in Paul Smiths, NY, Paul Smiths College Of Arts And Science is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $33,009 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full Paul Smiths College Of Arts And Science profile
Related Culinary Arts Rankings
Compare rankings at other degree levels:
- Best Culinary Arts Schools (All Levels)
- Best Culinary Arts Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Culinary Arts Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Culinary Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Culinary Arts Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Culinary Arts Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Culinary Arts Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Trade College (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 550 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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