2026 Best Culinary Arts Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best Culinary Arts undergraduate certificate degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 550 schools 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 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
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Arizona Culinary Institute to be the best Culinary Arts school in the United States. Based in Scottsdale, AZ, Arizona Culinary Institute is a private for-profit institution. The median Culinary Arts program debt is $9,500. Get the full Arizona Culinary Institute report
A rank of #2 makes Auguste Escoffier School Of Culinary Arts Boulder one of the top choices in the United States. Set in Boulder, CO, Auguste Escoffier School Of Culinary Arts Boulder is a private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $14,198 to complete their Culinary Arts program here. See the full Auguste Escoffier School Of Culinary Arts Boulder profile
Lincoln Technical Institute Shelton came in at #3 on this year's Culinary Arts ranking in the United States. Based in Shelton, CT, Lincoln Technical Institute Shelton is a private for-profit institution. Typical Culinary Arts student debt is $12,934. Read more about Lincoln Technical Institute Shelton
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus came in at #4 on this year's Culinary Arts ranking in the United States. Set in Indiana, PA, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a public institution. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $11,380, with out-of-state students paying around $16,297. Typical Culinary Arts student debt is $12,000. Get the full Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus report
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. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. In-state tuition and fees run about $38,670. Typical Culinary Arts student debt is $19,500. More on Culinary Institute Of America
International Air And Hospitality Academy did well this year, earning the #6 position. This private for-profit school is set in Vancouver, WA. The median Culinary Arts program debt is $9,500. See the full International Air And Hospitality Academy profile
Madison Area Technical College landed the #7 spot in the United States this year. Madison Area Technical College is a public school based in Madison, WI. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,977, while out-of-state students pay about $7,141. Graduates carry a median of $16,812 in student loans. More on Madison Area Technical College
Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College placed #8 among Culinary Arts schools in the United States. Set in Saint Paul, MN, Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,326. Typical Culinary Arts student debt is $17,500. See the full Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College profile
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. Students from in state pay about $5,790 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Des Moines Area Community College Culinary Arts students take on a median of $11,167 in debt. Get the full Des Moines Area Community College report
Grand Rapids Community College placed #11 among Culinary Arts schools in the United States. Located in Grand Rapids, MI, Grand Rapids Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. See the full Grand Rapids Community College profile
El Centro College came in at #12 in this year's ranking. Located in Dallas, TX, El Centro College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. The median Culinary Arts program debt is $9,218. See the full El Centro College profile
Johnson County Community College did well this year, earning the #13 position. Johnson County Community College is a public school based in Overland Park, KS. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,424, compared with $5,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,532 to complete their Culinary Arts program here. See the full Johnson County Community College profile
Waukesha County Technical College placed #14 among Culinary Arts schools in the United States. Located in Pewaukee, WI, Waukesha County Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,803, with out-of-state students paying around $7,046. Typical Culinary Arts student debt is $16,595. Read more about Waukesha County Technical College
Clover Park Technical College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best Culinary Arts schools. Based in Lakewood, WA, Clover Park Technical College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,634. Typical Culinary Arts student debt is $15,154. More on Clover Park Technical College
Culinary Institute Inc came in at #16 in this year's ranking. Culinary Institute Inc is a private for-profit school based in Houston, TX. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,803. Students borrow a median of $20,144 to complete their Culinary Arts program here. Read the full report on Culinary Institute Inc
Tulsa Technology Center came in at #17 in this year's ranking. Located in Tulsa, OK, Tulsa Technology Center is a public institution. Graduates carry a median of $11,384 in student loans. More on Tulsa Technology Center
Davis Technical College did well this year, earning the #18 position. Davis Technical College is a public school based in Kaysville, UT. Graduates carry a median of $6,262 in student loans. See the full Davis Technical College profile
Cerritos College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best Culinary Arts schools. Set in Norwalk, CA, Cerritos College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Typical Culinary Arts student debt is $11,306. Read more about Cerritos College
Atlantic Technical College came in at #20 in this year's ranking. Based in Coconut Creek, FL, Atlantic Technical College is a public institution. Atlantic Technical College Culinary Arts students take on a median of $9,222 in debt. See the full Atlantic Technical College profile
Kansas City Kansas Community College placed #22 among Culinary Arts schools in the United States. Set in Kansas City, KS, Kansas City Kansas Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,996, while out-of-state students pay about $6,482. Students borrow a median of $13,129 to complete their Culinary Arts program here. More 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. Typical Culinary Arts student debt is $10,612. Read more about Lake Technical College
First Coast Technical College did well this year, earning the #24 position. Located in Saint Augustine, FL, First Coast Technical College is a public institution. Read more about First Coast Technical College
Pinellas Technical College Clearwater came in at #25 in this year's ranking. Based in Clearwater, FL, Pinellas Technical College Clearwater is a public institution. Graduates carry a median of $18,549 in student loans. Get the full Pinellas Technical College Clearwater report
Escuela Hotelera De San Juan placed #26 among Culinary Arts schools in the United States. Located in Hato Rey, PR, Escuela Hotelera De San Juan is a private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,462. Graduates carry a median of $3,500 in student loans. Read the full report on Escuela Hotelera De San Juan
Florida Education Institute landed the #27 spot in the United States this year. Set in Miami, FL, Florida Education Institute is a private for-profit institution. Typical Culinary Arts student debt is $9,500. 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 rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
Sheridan Technical College landed the #28 spot in the United States this year. Based in Hollywood, FL, Sheridan Technical College is a public institution. Graduates carry a median of $7,698 in student loans. Read more about Sheridan Technical College
Yti Career Institute York placed #29 among Culinary Arts schools in the United States. Based in York, PA, Yti Career Institute York is a private for-profit institution. The median Culinary Arts program debt is $15,445. Get the full Yti Career Institute York report
Gwinnett Technical College landed the #30 spot in the United States this year. Located in Lawrenceville, GA, Gwinnett Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,524, compared with $6,092 for out-of-state students. The median Culinary Arts program debt is $18,048. Read more about Gwinnett Technical College
Marion Technical College Ocala ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best Culinary Arts schools. Based in Ocala, FL, Marion Technical College Ocala is a public institution. Graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. See the full Marion Technical College Ocala profile
Jna Institute Of Culinary Arts ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best Culinary Arts schools. 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. Get the full Jna Institute Of Culinary Arts report
Baker College Of Flint did well this year, earning the #33 position. 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,000. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete their Culinary Arts program here. See the full Baker College Of Flint profile
Fox Valley Technical College placed #34 among Culinary Arts schools in the United States. Set in Appleton, WI, Fox Valley Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $7,283. Graduates carry a median of $14,234 in student loans. See the full Fox Valley Technical College profile
Brookdale Community College came in at #35 in this year's ranking. Set in Lincroft, NJ, Brookdale Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,270 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,140. Brookdale Community College Culinary Arts students take on a median of $12,651 in debt. Read the full report on Brookdale Community College
Lake Land College came in at #36 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Mattoon, IL. In-state tuition and fees average $4,415, with out-of-state students paying around $14,301. Lake Land College Culinary Arts students take on a median of $5,163 in debt. 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. Graduates carry a median of $8,833 in student loans. Read the full report on Ogden Weber Technical College
Helms College landed the #38 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Augusta, GA. Students from in state pay about $17,056 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,938 to complete their Culinary Arts program here. See the full Helms College profile
Schoolcraft College came in at #40 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Livonia, MI. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,799, while out-of-state students pay about $6,501. Typical Culinary Arts student debt is $15,750. Read the full report on Schoolcraft College
Wake Technical Community College did well this year, earning the #42 position. This public school is set in Raleigh, NC. In-state tuition and fees average $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. See the full Wake Technical Community College profile
Cape Coral Technical College placed #43 among Culinary Arts schools in the United States. This public school is set in Cape Coral, FL. Get the full Cape Coral Technical College report
Kirkwood Community College landed the #44 spot in the United States this year. Located in Cedar Rapids, IA, Kirkwood Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,176, while out-of-state students pay about $8,220. Kirkwood Community College Culinary Arts students take on a median of $15,375 in debt. Read more about Kirkwood Community College
Suffolk County Community College placed #45 among Culinary Arts schools in the United States. Located in Selden, NY, Suffolk County Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Suffolk County Community College Culinary Arts students take on a median of $11,246 in debt. Read more about Suffolk County Community College
Austin Community College District landed the #47 spot in the United States this year. Located in Austin, TX, Austin Community College District is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Graduates carry a median of $14,519 in student loans. Read more about Austin Community College District
Oakland Community College ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best Culinary Arts schools. Set in Auburn Hills, MI, Oakland Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,120, compared with $5,560 for out-of-state students. Typical Culinary Arts student debt is $15,865. More on Oakland Community College
Delaware Technical Community College Terry came in at #52 in this year's ranking. Set in Dover, DE, Delaware Technical Community College Terry is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,332, compared with $5,763 for out-of-state students. Typical Culinary Arts student debt is $11,154. Read the full report on Delaware Technical Community College Terry
Georgia Northwestern Technical College did well this year, earning the #53 position. This public school is set in Rome, GA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,300, with out-of-state students paying around $5,868. Georgia Northwestern Technical College Culinary Arts students take on a median of $8,492 in debt. Get the full Georgia Northwestern Technical College report
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College did well this year, earning the #54 position. Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a public school based in Valdosta, GA. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,480, with out-of-state students paying around $6,048. Students borrow a median of $10,864 to complete their Culinary Arts program here. Get the full Wiregrass Georgia Technical College report
Francis Tuttle Technology Center ranked #55 on our 2026 list of the best Culinary Arts schools. Francis Tuttle Technology Center is a public school based in Oklahoma City, OK. Typical Culinary Arts student debt is $14,859. Read the full report on Francis Tuttle Technology Center
Ecpi University ranked #56 on our 2026 list of the best Culinary Arts schools. Based in Virginia Beach, VA, Ecpi University is a private for-profit institution. Ecpi University graduates 28% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,484. The median Culinary Arts program debt is $13,744. More on Ecpi University
Academia Serrant Inc did well this year, earning the #57 position. This private for-profit school is set in Ponce, PR. See the full Academia Serrant Inc profile
Kalamazoo Valley Community College came in at #58 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Kalamazoo, MI. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,144, with out-of-state students paying around $9,094. The median Culinary Arts program debt is $14,382. Get the full Kalamazoo Valley Community College report
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 Course Advisor (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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