2026 Best Culinary Arts Schools
Looking for the best Culinary Arts programs programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 550 colleges 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, Course Advisor reviewed schools to build 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 Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
No school ranked higher than Institute Of Culinary Education Los Angeles this year in the United States. Located in Pasadena, CA, Institute Of Culinary Education Los Angeles is a private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $6,777 to complete their Culinary Arts program here. More on Institute Of Culinary Education Los Angeles
A rank of #2 makes Institute Of Culinary Education one of the top choices in the United States. Located in New York, NY, Institute Of Culinary Education is a private for-profit institution. The median Culinary Arts program debt is $6,777. See the full Institute Of Culinary Education profile
A rank of #3 makes Arizona Culinary Institute one of the top choices in the United States. This private for-profit school is set in Scottsdale, AZ. Graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. See the full Arizona Culinary Institute profile
Out of the 550 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Auguste Escoffier School Of Culinary Arts Boulder landed the #4 spot. Located in Boulder, CO, Auguste Escoffier School Of Culinary Arts Boulder is a private for-profit institution. Typical Culinary Arts student debt is $14,198. 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, Culinary Institute Of America landed the #5 spot. Located 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%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,670. Culinary Institute Of America Culinary Arts students take on a median of $19,500 in debt. More on Culinary Institute Of America
Lincoln Technical Institute Shelton placed #6 among Culinary Arts schools in the United States. This private for-profit school is set in Shelton, CT. Graduates carry a median of $12,934 in student loans. More on Lincoln Technical Institute Shelton
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best Culinary Arts schools. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a public school based in Indiana, PA. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 54%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,380, compared with $16,297 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. More on Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus
Chippewa Valley Technical College placed #8 among Culinary Arts schools in the United States. This public school is set in Eau Claire, WI. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,844, compared with $7,087 for out-of-state students. Chippewa Valley Technical College Culinary Arts students take on a median of $14,234 in debt. Read more about Chippewa Valley Technical College
Boston University came in at #10 in this year's ranking. Set in Boston, MA, Boston University is a private not-for-profit institution. Boston University posts a six-year graduation rate of 89%. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,102. Students borrow a median of $25,232 to complete their Culinary Arts program here. More on Boston University
El Centro College placed #11 among Culinary Arts schools in the United States. Set in Dallas, TX, El Centro College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Typical Culinary Arts student debt is $9,218. Get the full El Centro College report
Johnson County Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best Culinary Arts schools. Located in Overland Park, KS, Johnson County Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,424, while out-of-state students pay about $5,688. Johnson County Community College Culinary Arts students take on a median of $13,532 in debt. See the full Johnson County Community College profile
Auguste Escoffier School Of Culinary Arts Austin landed the #13 spot in the United States this year. Set 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. More on Auguste Escoffier School Of Culinary Arts Austin
International Air And Hospitality Academy ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best Culinary Arts schools. Located in Vancouver, WA, International Air And Hospitality Academy is a private for-profit institution. Typical Culinary Arts student debt is $9,500. See the full International Air And Hospitality Academy profile
Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College came in at #15 in this year's ranking. Located in Saint Paul, MN, Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,326. The median Culinary Arts program debt is $17,500. Read the full report on Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College
Madison Area Technical College landed the #16 spot in the United States this year. Based in Madison, WI, Madison Area Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,977, while out-of-state students pay about $7,141. Madison Area Technical College Culinary Arts students take on a median of $16,812 in debt. More on Madison Area Technical College
Cerritos College placed #18 among Culinary Arts schools in the United States. This public school is set in Norwalk, CA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Read the full report on Cerritos College
National Louis University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best Culinary Arts schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Chicago, IL. The six-year graduation rate is 30%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,245. Typical Culinary Arts student debt is $17,500. Read the full report on National Louis University
Des Moines Area Community College landed the #20 spot in the United States this year. Based in Ankeny, IA, Des Moines Area Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,790 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. The median Culinary Arts program debt is $11,167. Read the full report on Des Moines Area Community College
North Shore Community College did well this year, earning the #21 position. This public school is set in Danvers, MA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,352, while out-of-state students pay about $10,920. Typical Culinary Arts student debt is $14,145. Read more about North Shore Community College
Clover Park Technical College placed #22 among Culinary Arts schools in the United States. Located in Lakewood, WA, Clover Park Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,634 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $15,154 in student loans. Get the full Clover Park Technical College report
Waukesha County Technical College did well this year, earning the #24 position. Located in Pewaukee, WI, Waukesha County Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,803 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,046. Students borrow a median of $16,595 to complete their Culinary Arts program here. Get the full Waukesha County Technical College report
Cet San Jose came in at #25 in this year's ranking. Cet San Jose is a private not-for-profit school based in San Jose, CA. The median Culinary Arts program debt is $6,837. Get the full Cet San Jose report
The Restaurant School At Walnut Hill College ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best Culinary Arts schools. Located 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 Restaurant School At Walnut Hill College Culinary Arts students take on a median of $19,500 in debt. Get the full The Restaurant School At Walnut Hill College report
Grand Rapids Community College placed #27 among Culinary Arts schools in the United States. Grand Rapids Community College is a public school based in Grand Rapids, MI. Students from in state pay about $4,179 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,219 for out-of-state students. The median Culinary Arts program debt is $13,625. More on Grand Rapids Community College
Gateway Technical College placed #28 among Culinary Arts schools in the United States. Set in Kenosha, WI, Gateway Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,956 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,199. Students borrow a median of $14,829 to complete their Culinary Arts program here. Read more about Gateway Technical College
Rest of the Top 50 Best Culinary Arts Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Emily Griffith Technical College placed #29 among Culinary Arts schools in the United States. Set in Denver, CO, Emily Griffith Technical College is a public institution. Students borrow a median of $9,960 to complete their Culinary Arts program here. Read more about Emily Griffith Technical College
Pennsylvania College Of Technology placed #30 among Culinary Arts schools in the United States. Pennsylvania College Of Technology is a public school based in Williamsport, PA. 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. Typical Culinary Arts student debt is $16,000. See the full Pennsylvania College Of Technology profile
Tulsa Technology Center landed the #31 spot in the United States this year. Based in Tulsa, OK, Tulsa Technology Center is a public institution. Students borrow a median of $11,384 to complete their Culinary Arts program here. Read the full report on Tulsa Technology Center
Davis Technical College landed the #32 spot in the United States this year. Davis Technical College is a public school based in Kaysville, UT. The median Culinary Arts program debt is $6,262. Read the full report on Davis Technical College
Wake Technical Community College placed #33 among Culinary Arts schools in the United States. Set in Raleigh, NC, Wake Technical Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,254, with out-of-state students paying around $6,862. The median Culinary Arts program debt is $13,226. Read the full report on Wake Technical Community College
Johnson And Wales University Charlotte did well this year, earning the #34 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Charlotte, NC. About 34% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $41,982. Students borrow a median of $14,745 to complete their Culinary Arts program here. More on Johnson And Wales University Charlotte
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College landed the #35 spot in the United States this year. Based in Cincinnati, OH, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,517, while out-of-state students pay about $10,044. Typical Culinary Arts student debt is $12,145. Read the full report on Cincinnati State Technical And Community College
Atlantic Technical College came in at #36 in this year's ranking. Atlantic Technical College is a public school based in Coconut Creek, FL. Typical Culinary Arts student debt is $9,222. Get the full Atlantic Technical College report
Culinary Institute Inc landed the #37 spot in the United States this year. Set in Houston, TX, Culinary Institute Inc is a private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $18,803 in tuition and fees. Culinary Institute Inc Culinary Arts students take on a median of $20,144 in debt. See the full Culinary Institute Inc profile
Athens Technical College did well this year, earning the #39 position. Athens Technical College is a public school based in Athens, GA. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,390, compared with $5,958 for out-of-state students. The median Culinary Arts program debt is $9,500. See the full Athens Technical College profile
Baker College Of Flint placed #40 among Culinary Arts schools in the United States. Located in Owosso, MI, Baker College Of Flint is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 30% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,000. Graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Read the full report on Baker College Of Flint
Lee College did well this year, earning the #41 position. Lee College is a public school based in Baytown, TX. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,520, while out-of-state students pay about $5,045. Typical Culinary Arts student debt is $10,941. Get the full Lee College report
Lake Technical College did well this year, earning the #42 position. Located in Eustis, FL, Lake Technical College is a public institution. Typical Culinary Arts student debt is $10,612. Get the full Lake Technical College report
Kansas City Kansas Community College landed the #43 spot in the United States this year. Located 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. Students borrow a median of $13,129 to complete their Culinary Arts program here. Get the full Kansas City Kansas Community College report
Miami Dade College placed #44 among Culinary Arts schools in the United States. Located in Miami, FL, Miami Dade College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,838, with out-of-state students paying around $9,661. Graduates carry a median of $10,882 in student loans. Get the full Miami Dade College report
Crescent City Bartending School did well this year, earning the #45 position. Set in New Orleans, LA, Crescent City Bartending School is a private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $3,167 to complete their Culinary Arts program here. Read more about Crescent City Bartending School
Pinellas Technical College Clearwater came in at #46 in this year's ranking. Located in Clearwater, FL, Pinellas Technical College Clearwater is a public institution. Typical Culinary Arts student debt is $18,549. More on Pinellas Technical College Clearwater
Sullivan University ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best Culinary Arts schools. Set in Louisville, KY, Sullivan University is a private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,480. Sullivan University Culinary Arts students take on a median of $15,265 in debt. Read the full report on Sullivan University
Johnson And Wales University Providence ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best Culinary Arts schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Providence, RI. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $41,982. Johnson And Wales University Providence Culinary Arts students take on a median of $20,873 in debt. Read the full report on Johnson And Wales University Providence
Gwinnett Technical College came in at #51 in this year's ranking. Set in Lawrenceville, GA, Gwinnett Technical College is a public institution. 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
First Coast Technical College did well this year, earning the #52 position. This public school is set in Saint Augustine, FL. See the full First Coast Technical College profile
Escuela Hotelera De San Juan placed #53 among Culinary Arts schools in the United States. Escuela Hotelera De San Juan is a private for-profit school based in Hato Rey, PR. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,462. The median Culinary Arts program debt is $3,500. Get the full Escuela Hotelera De San Juan report
Brookdale Community College ranked #54 on our 2026 list of the best Culinary Arts schools. This public school is set in Lincroft, NJ. In-state tuition and fees average $6,270, with out-of-state students paying around $10,140. The median Culinary Arts program debt is $12,651. Get the full Brookdale Community College report
Schoolcraft College placed #55 among Culinary Arts schools in the United States. Schoolcraft College is a public school based in Livonia, MI. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,799, with out-of-state students paying around $6,501. Students borrow a median of $15,750 to complete their Culinary Arts program here. Read more about Schoolcraft College
Bristol Community College landed the #56 spot in the United States this year. Located 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. Graduates carry a median of $9,482 in student loans. Get the full Bristol Community College report
Best Culinary Arts Schools by Degree Level
See the best schools at each degree level:
- Best Culinary Arts Certificate Degree Schools
- 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
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider 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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