Find Trade Colleges
2026 Best Culinary Arts Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best Culinary Arts undergraduate certificate 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 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 Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
Leading the list is Arizona Culinary Institute, our #1 Culinary Arts school in the United States. This private for-profit school is set in Scottsdale, AZ. Graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Read the full report on Arizona Culinary Institute
Auguste Escoffier School Of Culinary Arts Boulder came in at #2 on this year's Culinary Arts ranking in the United States. Set in Boulder, CO, Auguste Escoffier School Of Culinary Arts Boulder is a private for-profit institution. Auguste Escoffier School Of Culinary Arts Boulder Culinary Arts students take on a median of $14,198 in debt. Read the full report on Auguste Escoffier School Of Culinary Arts Boulder
Out of the 550 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Lincoln Technical Institute Shelton landed the #3 spot. Set in Shelton, CT, Lincoln Technical Institute Shelton is a private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $12,934 to complete their Culinary Arts program here. Read the full report on Lincoln Technical Institute Shelton
The strong Culinary Arts programs at Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earned it the #4 place in the United States. Set in Indiana, PA, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a public institution. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus graduates 54% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,380, compared with $16,297 for out-of-state students. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus Culinary Arts students take on a median of $12,000 in debt. Get the full Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus report
The strong Culinary Arts programs at Culinary Institute Of America earned it the #5 place in the United States. Set in Hyde Park, NY, Culinary Institute Of America is a private not-for-profit institution. Culinary Institute Of America graduates 53% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,670. Typical Culinary Arts student debt is $19,500. Read the full report on Culinary Institute Of America
International Air And Hospitality Academy landed the #6 spot in the United States this year. This private for-profit school is set in Vancouver, WA. Typical Culinary Arts student debt is $9,500. Read more about International Air And Hospitality Academy
Madison Area Technical College landed the #7 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Madison, WI. Students from in state pay about $4,977 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,141. Graduates carry a median of $16,812 in student loans. Read the full report on Madison Area Technical College
Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College did well this year, earning the #8 position. Set in Saint Paul, MN, Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,326 in tuition and fees. Typical Culinary Arts student debt is $17,500. More on Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College
Des Moines Area Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best Culinary Arts schools. Based in Ankeny, IA, Des Moines Area Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,790, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Des Moines Area Community College Culinary Arts students take on a median of $11,167 in debt. More on Des Moines Area Community College
Grand Rapids Community College landed the #11 spot in the United States this year. Grand Rapids Community College is a public school based in Grand Rapids, MI. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,179, with out-of-state students paying around $12,219. Typical Culinary Arts student debt is $13,625. Read more about Grand Rapids Community College
El Centro College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best Culinary Arts schools. Based in Dallas, TX, El Centro College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Students borrow a median of $9,218 to complete their Culinary Arts program here. Read the full report on El Centro College
Johnson County Community College came in at #13 in this year's ranking. Set in Overland Park, KS, Johnson County Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,424 in tuition and fees, 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. More on Johnson County Community College
Waukesha County Technical College did well this year, earning the #14 position. This public school is set in Pewaukee, WI. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,803, while out-of-state students pay about $7,046. Waukesha County Technical College Culinary Arts students take on a median of $16,595 in debt. Read more about Waukesha County Technical College
Clover Park Technical College came in at #15 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Lakewood, WA. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,634. Graduates carry a median of $15,154 in student loans. See the full Clover Park Technical College profile
Culinary Institute Inc placed #16 among Culinary Arts schools in the United States. Based in Houston, TX, Culinary Institute Inc is a private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,803. Students borrow a median of $20,144 to complete their Culinary Arts program here. More on Culinary Institute Inc
Tulsa Technology Center landed the #17 spot in the United States this year. Based in Tulsa, OK, Tulsa Technology Center is a public institution. Graduates carry a median of $11,384 in student loans. Read more about Tulsa Technology Center
Davis Technical College did well this year, earning the #18 position. Set in Kaysville, UT, Davis Technical College is a public institution. Typical Culinary Arts student debt is $6,262. See the full Davis Technical College profile
Cerritos College came in at #19 in this year's ranking. Located in Norwalk, CA, Cerritos College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Read more about Cerritos College
Atlantic Technical College landed the #20 spot in the United States this year. Located in Coconut Creek, FL, Atlantic Technical College is a public institution. Graduates carry a median of $9,222 in student loans. See the full Atlantic Technical College profile
Kansas City Kansas Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best Culinary Arts schools. Based in Kansas City, KS, Kansas City Kansas Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,996, with out-of-state students paying around $6,482. The median Culinary Arts program debt is $13,129. Read the full report on Kansas City Kansas Community College
Lake Technical College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best Culinary Arts schools. Lake Technical College is a public school based in Eustis, FL. Graduates carry a median of $10,612 in student loans. See the full Lake Technical College profile
First Coast Technical College placed #24 among Culinary Arts schools in the United States. Set in Saint Augustine, FL, First Coast Technical College is a public institution. More on First Coast Technical College
Pinellas Technical College Clearwater came in at #25 in this year's ranking. Located in Clearwater, FL, Pinellas Technical College Clearwater is a public institution. Pinellas Technical College Clearwater Culinary Arts students take on a median of $18,549 in debt. See the full Pinellas Technical College Clearwater profile
Escuela Hotelera De San Juan placed #26 among Culinary Arts schools in the United States. This private for-profit school is set in Hato Rey, PR. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,462. Graduates carry a median of $3,500 in student loans. Read more about Escuela Hotelera De San Juan
Florida Education Institute ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best Culinary Arts schools. Set in Miami, FL, Florida Education Institute is a private for-profit institution. Florida Education Institute Culinary Arts students take on a median of $9,500 in debt. Get the full Florida Education Institute report
Rest of the Top 50 Best Culinary Arts Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
Sheridan Technical College came in at #28 in this year's ranking. Located in Hollywood, FL, Sheridan Technical College is a public institution. The median Culinary Arts program debt is $7,698. More on Sheridan Technical College
Yti Career Institute York came in at #29 in this year's ranking. Yti Career Institute York is a private for-profit school based in York, PA. Typical Culinary Arts student debt is $15,445. See the full Yti Career Institute York profile
Gwinnett Technical College did well this year, earning the #30 position. Gwinnett Technical College is a public school based in Lawrenceville, GA. Students from in state pay about $3,524 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,092. Typical Culinary Arts student debt is $18,048. Get the full Gwinnett Technical College report
Marion Technical College Ocala landed the #31 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Ocala, FL. Typical Culinary Arts student debt is $8,750. Get the full Marion Technical College Ocala report
Jna Institute Of Culinary Arts came in at #32 in this year's ranking. This private for-profit school is set in Philadelphia, PA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,575. Jna Institute Of Culinary Arts Culinary Arts students take on a median of $13,250 in debt. Read more about Jna Institute Of Culinary Arts
Baker College Of Flint landed the #33 spot in the United States this year. Set in Owosso, MI, Baker College Of Flint is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 30%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,000. The median Culinary Arts program debt is $12,000. Read more about Baker College Of Flint
Fox Valley Technical College placed #34 among Culinary Arts schools in the United States. This public school is set in Appleton, WI. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $7,283. Typical Culinary Arts student debt is $14,234. Read the full report on Fox Valley Technical College
Brookdale Community College placed #35 among Culinary Arts schools in the United States. Located in Lincroft, NJ, Brookdale Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,270, compared with $10,140 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $12,651 in student loans. Read the full report on Brookdale Community College
Lake Land College ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best Culinary Arts schools. Set in Mattoon, IL, Lake Land College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,415, with out-of-state students paying around $14,301. Students borrow a median of $5,163 to complete their Culinary Arts program here. Get the full Lake Land College report
Ogden Weber Technical College came in at #37 in this year's ranking. Ogden Weber Technical College is a public school based in Ogden, UT. The median Culinary Arts program debt is $8,833. More on Ogden Weber Technical College
Helms College did well this year, earning the #38 position. Located in Augusta, GA, Helms College is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,056. Students borrow a median of $16,938 to complete their Culinary Arts program here. Read more about Helms College
Schoolcraft College landed the #40 spot in the United States this year. Schoolcraft College is a public school based in Livonia, MI. In-state tuition and fees average $3,799, while out-of-state students pay about $6,501. Students borrow a median of $15,750 to complete their Culinary Arts program here. Get the full Schoolcraft College report
Wake Technical Community College came in at #42 in this year's ranking. Based in Raleigh, NC, Wake Technical Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,254 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,862 for out-of-state students. Typical Culinary Arts student debt is $13,226. Read more about Wake Technical Community College
Cape Coral Technical College landed the #43 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Cape Coral, FL. More on Cape Coral Technical College
Kirkwood Community College placed #44 among Culinary Arts schools in the United States. This public school is set in Cedar Rapids, IA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,176, compared with $8,220 for out-of-state students. Typical Culinary Arts student debt is $15,375. More on Kirkwood Community College
Suffolk County Community College placed #45 among Culinary Arts schools in the United States. Based in Selden, NY, Suffolk County Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,630, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Suffolk County Community College Culinary Arts students take on a median of $11,246 in debt. Get the full Suffolk County Community College report
Austin Community College District ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best Culinary Arts schools. Set in Austin, TX, Austin Community College District is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Students borrow a median of $14,519 to complete their Culinary Arts program here. More on Austin Community College District
Oakland Community College did well this year, earning the #48 position. Based in Auburn Hills, MI, Oakland Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,120 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,560. Students borrow a median of $15,865 to complete their Culinary Arts program here. Read the full report on Oakland Community College
Delaware Technical Community College Terry ranked #52 on our 2026 list of the best Culinary Arts schools. This public school is set in Dover, DE. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,332, while out-of-state students pay about $5,763. Graduates carry a median of $11,154 in student loans. See the full Delaware Technical Community College Terry profile
Georgia Northwestern Technical College came in at #53 in this year's ranking. Set in Rome, GA, Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,300, while out-of-state students pay about $5,868. The median Culinary Arts program debt is $8,492. See the full Georgia Northwestern Technical College profile
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College placed #54 among Culinary Arts schools in the United States. Set in Valdosta, GA, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,480, with out-of-state students paying around $6,048. Wiregrass Georgia Technical College Culinary Arts students take on a median of $10,864 in debt. More on Wiregrass Georgia Technical College
Francis Tuttle Technology Center landed the #55 spot in the United States this year. 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
Ecpi University ranked #56 on our 2026 list of the best Culinary Arts schools. Located in Virginia Beach, VA, Ecpi University is a private for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 28%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,484. Typical Culinary Arts student debt is $13,744. More on Ecpi University
Academia Serrant Inc did well this year, earning the #57 position. Academia Serrant Inc is a private for-profit school based in Ponce, PR. Read more about Academia Serrant Inc
Kalamazoo Valley Community College landed the #58 spot in the United States this year. Located in Kalamazoo, MI, Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,144, while out-of-state students pay about $9,094. Kalamazoo Valley Community College Culinary Arts students take on a median of $14,382 in debt. More on Kalamazoo Valley Community College
Related Culinary Arts Rankings
See rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Culinary Arts Schools (All Levels)
- Best Culinary Arts 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
This list is compiled 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).
TradeCollege.org provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. TradeCollege.org is a for-profit site, and the displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© TradeCollege.org – All Rights Reserved.