2026 Best Culinary Arts Associate’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Culinary Arts associate’s degree 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.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor reviewed 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
Here are the top-ranked schools:
Our analysis found Auguste Escoffier School Of Culinary Arts Boulder to be the best Culinary Arts school in the United States. Located in Boulder, CO, Auguste Escoffier School Of Culinary Arts Boulder is a private for-profit institution. The median Culinary Arts program debt is $14,198. Read more about Auguste Escoffier School Of Culinary Arts Boulder
A rank of #2 makes Culinary Institute Of America one of the top choices in the United States. Located in Hyde Park, NY, Culinary Institute Of America is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,670. The median Culinary Arts program debt is $19,500. See the full Culinary Institute Of America profile
The strong Culinary Arts programs at Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earned it the #3 place in the United States. Based 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 run about $11,380, with out-of-state students paying around $16,297. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete their Culinary Arts program here. Read more about Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus
The strong Culinary Arts programs at Chippewa Valley Technical College earned it the #4 place in the United States. This public school is set in Eau Claire, WI. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Get the full Chippewa Valley Technical College report
A rank of #5 makes Johnson County Community College one of the top choices in the United States. Johnson County Community College is a public school based in Overland Park, KS. Students from in state pay about $2,424 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,688. Typical Culinary Arts student debt is $13,532. Read the full report on Johnson County Community College
Auguste Escoffier School Of Culinary Arts Austin came in at #6 in this year's ranking. Auguste Escoffier School Of Culinary Arts Austin is a private for-profit school based in Austin, TX. Graduates carry a median of $16,491 in student loans. Get the full Auguste Escoffier School Of Culinary Arts Austin report
Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best Culinary Arts schools. This public school is set in Saint Paul, MN. In-state tuition and fees run about $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
Cerritos College landed the #8 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Norwalk, CA. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Read the full report on 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. The six-year graduation rate is 30%. In-state tuition and fees average $13,245. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete their Culinary Arts program here. Get the full National Louis University report
Madison Area Technical College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best Culinary Arts schools. Based in Madison, WI, Madison Area Technical College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,977, with out-of-state students paying around $7,141. The median Culinary Arts program debt is $16,812. See the full Madison Area Technical College profile
Clover Park Technical College did well this year, earning the #12 position. Clover Park Technical College is a public school based in Lakewood, WA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,634. Graduates carry a median of $15,154 in student loans. Get the full Clover Park Technical College report
North Shore Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best Culinary Arts schools. Located in Danvers, MA, North Shore Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,352, while out-of-state students pay about $10,920. Graduates carry a median of $14,145 in student loans. Read the full report on North Shore Community College
Des Moines Area Community College landed the #14 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. Des Moines Area Community College Culinary Arts students take on a median of $11,167 in debt. More on Des Moines Area Community College
Waukesha County Technical College placed #15 among Culinary Arts schools in the United States. Set 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. Graduates carry a median of $16,595 in student loans. See the full Waukesha County Technical College profile
The Restaurant School At Walnut Hill College did well this year, earning the #16 position. Located in Philadelphia, PA, The Restaurant School At Walnut Hill College is a private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,499. Graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. See the full The Restaurant School At Walnut Hill College profile
El Centro College placed #17 among Culinary Arts schools in the United States. Based in Dallas, TX, El Centro College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,730 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. The median Culinary Arts program debt is $9,218. Read more about El Centro College
Pennsylvania College Of Technology ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best Culinary Arts schools. Pennsylvania College Of Technology is a public school based in Williamsport, PA. Pennsylvania College Of Technology posts a six-year graduation rate of 45%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,940, compared with $25,680 for out-of-state students. Pennsylvania College Of Technology Culinary Arts students take on a median of $16,000 in debt. More on Pennsylvania College Of Technology
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College landed the #19 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Cincinnati, OH. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,517, with out-of-state students paying around $10,044. The median Culinary Arts program debt is $12,145. Read the full report on Cincinnati State Technical And Community College
Johnson And Wales University Charlotte placed #20 among Culinary Arts schools in the United States. 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 average $41,982. Johnson And Wales University Charlotte Culinary Arts students take on a median of $14,745 in debt. Get the full Johnson And Wales University Charlotte report
Baker College Of Flint ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best Culinary Arts schools. Based 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,000. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete their Culinary Arts program here. More 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. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,480. The median Culinary Arts program debt is $15,265. More on Sullivan University
Culinary Institute Inc did well this year, earning the #24 position. This private for-profit school is set in Houston, TX. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,803. Students borrow a median of $20,144 to complete their Culinary Arts program here. Get the full Culinary Institute Inc report
Grand Rapids Community College did well this year, earning the #25 position. Grand Rapids Community College is a public school based in Grand Rapids, MI. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,179, compared with $12,219 for out-of-state students. The median Culinary Arts program debt is $13,625. Get the full Grand Rapids Community College report
Schoolcraft College did well this year, earning the #27 position. 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. Graduates carry a median of $15,750 in student loans. Read the full report on Schoolcraft College
Johnson And Wales University Providence did well this year, earning the #28 position. Based in Providence, RI, Johnson And Wales University Providence is a private not-for-profit institution. About 50% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,982. Students borrow a median of $20,873 to complete their Culinary Arts program here. More 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. See the full Brookdale Community College profile
Miami Dade College landed the #30 spot in the United States this year. Miami Dade College is a public school based in Miami, FL. Students from in state pay about $2,838 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,661. Graduates carry a median of $10,882 in student loans. Read more about Miami Dade College
Delaware Technical Community College Terry ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best Culinary Arts schools. Set in Dover, DE, Delaware Technical Community College Terry is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,332, compared with $5,763 for out-of-state students. The median Culinary Arts program debt is $11,154. Get the full Delaware Technical Community College Terry report
Gwinnett Technical College landed the #32 spot in the United States this year. Set in Lawrenceville, GA, Gwinnett Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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 more about Gwinnett Technical College
Suffolk County Community College landed the #33 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Selden, NY. Students from in state pay about $6,630 in tuition and fees, 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. See the full Suffolk County Community College profile
Wake Technical Community College came in at #34 in this year's ranking. Set in Raleigh, NC, Wake Technical Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,254, while out-of-state students pay about $6,862. Wake Technical Community College Culinary Arts students take on a median of $13,226 in debt. See the full Wake Technical Community College profile
Gateway Technical College placed #35 among Culinary Arts schools in the United States. This public school is set in Kenosha, WI. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,956, compared with $7,199 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,829 to complete their Culinary Arts program here. 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,832, while out-of-state students pay about $10,776. The median Culinary Arts program debt is $9,482. Get the full Bristol Community College report
Fox Valley Technical College did well this year, earning the #37 position. This public school is set in Appleton, WI. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Read the full report on Fox Valley Technical College
Central Oregon Community College landed the #38 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Bend, OR. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,683, with out-of-state students paying around $15,246. Students borrow a median of $16,250 to complete their Culinary Arts program here. Read more about Central Oregon Community College
Austin Community College District landed the #41 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Austin, TX. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Graduates carry a median of $14,519 in student loans. See the full Austin Community College District profile
Yti Career Institute York placed #42 among Culinary Arts schools in the United States. Yti Career Institute York is a private for-profit school based in York, PA. Yti Career Institute York Culinary Arts students take on a median of $15,445 in debt. See the full Yti Career Institute York profile
Jna Institute Of Culinary Arts did well this year, earning the #43 position. Based in Philadelphia, PA, Jna Institute Of Culinary Arts is a private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,575. Typical Culinary Arts student debt is $13,250. Get the full Jna Institute Of Culinary Arts report
Kirkwood Community College came in at #44 in this year's ranking. Based in Cedar Rapids, IA, Kirkwood Community College is a public institution. 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
Southern Maine Community College landed the #45 spot in the United States this year. Based in South Portland, ME, Southern Maine Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,156, while out-of-state students pay about $7,036. Typical Culinary Arts student debt is $13,869. Read more about Southern Maine Community College
Central Piedmont Community College came in at #46 in this year's ranking. Central Piedmont Community College is a public school based in Charlotte, NC. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,792, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. The median Culinary Arts program debt is $11,861. Read more about Central Piedmont Community College
Milwaukee Area Technical College came in at #48 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Milwaukee, WI. In-state tuition and fees average $5,184, while out-of-state students pay about $7,427. Students borrow a median of $19,386 to complete their Culinary Arts program here. More on Milwaukee Area Technical College
Lee College came in at #49 in this year's ranking. Lee College is a public school based in Baytown, TX. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,520, compared with $5,045 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $10,941 in student loans. Read more about Lee College
Athens Technical College did well this year, earning the #50 position. Based in Athens, GA, Athens Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,390, compared with $5,958 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete their Culinary Arts program here. More on Athens Technical College
Keiser University Ft Lauderdale came in at #52 in this year's ranking. Based in Fort Lauderdale, FL, Keiser University Ft Lauderdale is a private not-for-profit institution. Keiser University Ft Lauderdale posts a six-year graduation rate of 58%. In-state tuition and fees average $25,056. Typical Culinary Arts student debt is $20,000. Read more about Keiser University Ft Lauderdale
Joliet Junior College came in at #53 in this year's ranking. Set in Joliet, IL, Joliet Junior College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $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
Central Carolina Community College landed the #54 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Sanford, NC. In-state tuition and fees average $2,711, with out-of-state students paying around $8,855. Students borrow a median of $10,266 to complete their Culinary Arts program here. Get the full Central Carolina Community College report
Southeast Community College Area did well this year, earning the #55 position. Located in Lincoln, NE, Southeast Community College Area is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,444, while out-of-state students pay about $4,032. Typical Culinary Arts student debt is $19,146. See the full Southeast Community College Area profile
Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee placed #56 among Culinary Arts schools in the United States. Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee is a public school based in Okmulgee, OK. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,774, with out-of-state students paying around $11,384. Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee Culinary Arts students take on a median of $12,500 in debt. See the full Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee profile
Paul Smiths College Of Arts And Science ranked #57 on our 2026 list of the best Culinary Arts schools. Located 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. In-state tuition and fees run about $33,009. Paul Smiths College Of Arts And Science Culinary Arts students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Read more about Paul Smiths College Of Arts And Science
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
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (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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