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2026 Best Culinary Arts Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best Culinary Arts certificate degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 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 help you make your decision, Trade College evaluated schools to compile 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 Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
Institute Of Culinary Education Los Angeles tops our 2026 ranking of the best Culinary Arts certificate degree schools in the United States. Based in Pasadena, CA, Institute Of Culinary Education Los Angeles is a private for-profit institution. The median Culinary Arts program debt is $6,777. Get the full Institute Of Culinary Education Los Angeles report
You'll be in good company at Institute Of Culinary Education, which ranked #2 this year. Located in New York, NY, Institute Of Culinary Education is a private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $6,777 to complete their Culinary Arts program here. Get the full Institute Of Culinary Education report
The strong Culinary Arts programs at Arizona Culinary Institute earned it the #3 place in the United States. Set in Scottsdale, AZ, Arizona Culinary Institute is a private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete their Culinary Arts program here. Read the full report on Arizona Culinary Institute
The strong Culinary Arts programs at Auguste Escoffier School Of Culinary Arts Boulder earned it the #4 place in the United States. Set in Boulder, CO, Auguste Escoffier School Of Culinary Arts Boulder is a private for-profit institution. Graduates carry a median of $14,198 in student loans. Get the full Auguste Escoffier School Of Culinary Arts Boulder report
El Centro College placed #6 among Culinary Arts schools in the United States. El Centro College is a public school based in Dallas, TX. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. The median Culinary Arts program debt is $9,218. More on El Centro College
Chippewa Valley Technical College landed the #7 spot in the United States this year. Chippewa Valley Technical College is a public school based in Eau Claire, WI. 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. See the full Chippewa Valley Technical College profile
Madison Area Technical College placed #8 among Culinary Arts schools in the United States. Set in Madison, WI, Madison Area Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,977, compared with $7,141 for out-of-state students. Madison Area Technical College Culinary Arts students take on a median of $16,812 in debt. Read more about Madison Area Technical College
Cerritos College came in at #9 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Norwalk, CA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. The median Culinary Arts program debt is $11,306. Get the full Cerritos College report
Clover Park Technical College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best Culinary Arts schools. Set in Lakewood, WA, Clover Park Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,634. Typical Culinary Arts student debt is $15,154. Read more about Clover Park Technical College
North Shore Community College placed #12 among Culinary Arts schools in the United States. This public school is set in Danvers, MA. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,352, while out-of-state students pay about $10,920. Typical Culinary Arts student debt is $14,145. Get the full North Shore Community College report
Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College landed the #13 spot in the United States this year. Located in Saint Paul, MN, Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,326. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete their Culinary Arts program here. See the full Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College profile
Auguste Escoffier School Of Culinary Arts Austin placed #14 among Culinary Arts schools in the United States. Based in Austin, TX, Auguste Escoffier School Of Culinary Arts Austin is a private for-profit institution. Auguste Escoffier School Of Culinary Arts Austin Culinary Arts students take on a median of $16,491 in debt. See the full Auguste Escoffier School Of Culinary Arts Austin profile
Gateway Technical College came in at #15 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Kenosha, WI. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,956, while out-of-state students pay about $7,199. The median Culinary Arts program debt is $14,829. Get the full Gateway Technical College report
Wake Technical Community College landed the #16 spot in the United States this year. Wake Technical Community College is a public school based in Raleigh, NC. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,254, with out-of-state students paying around $6,862. Wake Technical Community College Culinary Arts students take on a median of $13,226 in debt. Get the full Wake Technical Community College report
Cet San Jose did well this year, earning the #17 position. Set in San Jose, CA, Cet San Jose is a private not-for-profit institution. Graduates carry a median of $6,837 in student loans. Get the full Cet San Jose report
Emily Griffith Technical College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best Culinary Arts schools. Based in Denver, CO, Emily Griffith Technical College is a public institution. Graduates carry a median of $9,960 in student loans. Read more about Emily Griffith Technical College
Lee College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best Culinary Arts schools. Based in Baytown, TX, Lee College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,520, with out-of-state students paying around $5,045. Students borrow a median of $10,941 to complete their Culinary Arts program here. Read the full report on Lee College
Lake Technical College came in at #20 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Eustis, FL. Lake Technical College Culinary Arts students take on a median of $10,612 in debt. More on Lake Technical College
Athens Technical College placed #21 among Culinary Arts schools in the United States. Located in Athens, GA, Athens Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,390 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,958. Typical Culinary Arts student debt is $9,500. Read the full report on Athens Technical College
Pinellas Technical College Clearwater placed #22 among Culinary Arts schools in the United States. Based in Clearwater, FL, Pinellas Technical College Clearwater is a public institution. The median Culinary Arts program debt is $18,549. Read more about Pinellas Technical College Clearwater
Miami Dade College came in at #23 in this year's ranking. Located in Miami, FL, Miami Dade College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,838, while out-of-state students pay about $9,661. The median Culinary Arts program debt is $10,882. Get the full Miami Dade College report
Crescent City Bartending School did well this year, earning the #24 position. Based in New Orleans, LA, Crescent City Bartending School is a private for-profit institution. The median Culinary Arts program debt is $3,167. Read more about Crescent City Bartending School
Gwinnett Technical College came in at #25 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Lawrenceville, GA. Students from in state pay about $3,524 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,092. The median Culinary Arts program debt is $18,048. More on Gwinnett Technical College
Lake Land College landed the #26 spot in the United States this year. Located in Mattoon, IL, Lake Land College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,415, while out-of-state students pay about $14,301. Students borrow a median of $5,163 to complete their Culinary Arts program here. More on Lake Land College
Fox Valley Technical College did well this year, earning the #27 position. Fox Valley Technical College is a public school based in Appleton, WI. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $7,283. Students borrow a median of $14,234 to complete their Culinary Arts program here. More on Fox Valley Technical College
Rest of the Top 50 Best Culinary Arts Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College landed the #28 spot in the United States this year. Located in Cincinnati, OH, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,517, compared with $10,044 for out-of-state students. The median Culinary Arts program debt is $12,145. Get the full Cincinnati State Technical And Community College report
Valencia College placed #29 among Culinary Arts schools in the United States. Valencia College is a public school based in Orlando, FL. Students from in state pay about $2,664 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,576 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $17,468 in student loans. Get the full Valencia College report
West Georgia Technical College landed the #30 spot in the United States this year. Based in Waco, GA, West Georgia Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,410, while out-of-state students pay about $5,978. Graduates carry a median of $12,651 in student loans. See the full West Georgia Technical College profile
Central Piedmont Community College landed the #31 spot in the United States this year. Located in Charlotte, NC, Central Piedmont Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Central Piedmont Community College Culinary Arts students take on a median of $11,861 in debt. Get the full Central Piedmont Community College report
Ivy Tech Community College came in at #32 in this year's ranking. Located in Indianapolis, IN, Ivy Tech Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,154, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. Ivy Tech Community College Culinary Arts students take on a median of $11,889 in debt. Get the full Ivy Tech Community College report
Georgia Northwestern Technical College came in at #33 in this year's ranking. Located in Rome, GA, Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,300, compared with $5,868 for out-of-state students. Typical Culinary Arts student debt is $8,492. More on Georgia Northwestern Technical College
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College came in at #34 in this year's ranking. Based in Valdosta, GA, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,480, compared with $6,048 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $10,864 in student loans. Get the full Wiregrass Georgia Technical College report
Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins landed the #35 spot in the United States this year. Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins is a public school based in Warner Robins, GA. Students from in state pay about $3,448 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,016. Graduates carry a median of $11,693 in student loans. More on Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins
Lanier Technical College placed #36 among Culinary Arts schools in the United States. Located in Gainesville, GA, Lanier Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,980, compared with $7,190 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $12,278 in student loans. More on Lanier Technical College
Delaware Technical Community College Terry came in at #37 in this year's ranking. Based in Dover, DE, Delaware Technical Community College Terry is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,332, while out-of-state students pay about $5,763. The median Culinary Arts program debt is $11,154. Read more about Delaware Technical Community College Terry
Orange Technical College Westside Campus came in at #38 in this year's ranking. Located in Ocoee, FL, Orange Technical College Westside Campus is a public institution. Read more about Orange Technical College Westside Campus
Pulaski Technical College placed #39 among Culinary Arts schools in the United States. Set in North Little Rock, AR, Pulaski Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,300, with out-of-state students paying around $9,450. Graduates carry a median of $19,250 in student loans. Get the full Pulaski Technical College report
Southern Crescent Technical College placed #40 among Culinary Arts schools in the United States. Southern Crescent Technical College is a public school based in Griffin, GA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,516, compared with $6,084 for out-of-state students. Typical Culinary Arts student debt is $17,619. More on Southern Crescent Technical College
Francis Tuttle Technology Center ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best Culinary Arts schools. Francis Tuttle Technology Center is a public school based in Oklahoma City, OK. The median Culinary Arts program debt is $14,859. Get the full Francis Tuttle Technology Center report
Schoolcraft College came in at #42 in this year's ranking. Set in Livonia, MI, Schoolcraft College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,799, while out-of-state students pay about $6,501. The median Culinary Arts program debt is $15,750. Read more about Schoolcraft College
Bristol Community College did well this year, earning the #45 position. Based in Fall River, MA, Bristol Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,832, with out-of-state students paying around $10,776. Typical Culinary Arts student debt is $9,482. Get the full Bristol Community College report
Johnson And Wales University Providence landed the #46 spot in the United States this year. Located in Providence, RI, Johnson And Wales University Providence is a private not-for-profit institution. Johnson And Wales University Providence graduates 50% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $41,982 in tuition and fees. Typical Culinary Arts student debt is $20,873. More on Johnson And Wales University Providence
Southeast Community College Area came in at #48 in this year's ranking. Set in Lincoln, NE, Southeast Community College Area is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,444, compared with $4,032 for out-of-state students. Typical Culinary Arts student debt is $19,146. More on Southeast Community College Area
Central Carolina Community College came in at #49 in this year's ranking. Based in Sanford, NC, Central Carolina Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,711, with out-of-state students paying around $8,855. Central Carolina Community College Culinary Arts students take on a median of $10,266 in debt. Read the full report on Central Carolina Community College
St Philips College did well this year, earning the #50 position. Based in San Antonio, TX, St Philips College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Students borrow a median of $15,653 to complete their Culinary Arts program here. See the full St Philips College profile
Joliet Junior College did well this year, earning the #51 position. Located in Joliet, IL, Joliet Junior College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,530, while out-of-state students pay about $13,800. Students borrow a median of $16,375 to complete their Culinary Arts program here. More on Joliet Junior College
Augusta Technical College did well this year, earning the #53 position. Based in Augusta, GA, Augusta Technical College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,282, compared with $7,492 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,400 to complete their Culinary Arts program here. Read more about Augusta Technical College
Lake Washington Institute Of Technology ranked #54 on our 2026 list of the best Culinary Arts schools. This public school is set in Kirkland, WA. In-state tuition and fees average $5,997, compared with $12,062 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,695 to complete their Culinary Arts program here. Read the full report on Lake Washington Institute Of Technology
South Plains College did well this year, earning the #55 position. This public school is set in Levelland, TX. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,733, compared with $5,157 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,788 to complete their Culinary Arts program here. More on South Plains College
Ogeechee Technical College ranked #56 on our 2026 list of the best Culinary Arts schools. Located in Statesboro, GA, Ogeechee Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,388 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,956 for out-of-state students. The median Culinary Arts program debt is $11,894. Get the full Ogeechee Technical College report
Related Culinary Arts Rankings
Explore other degree levels:
- Best Culinary Arts Schools (All Levels)
- Best Culinary Arts Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Culinary Arts Associate’s 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
These rankings are produced by Trade College (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on 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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