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Most Popular Culinary Arts Associate Degree Schools in California

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2023 Most Popular Culinary Arts Associate Degree Schools in California

46 Colleges
$25,593 Avg Salary
$17,005 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Culinary Arts Associate Degree School for You

Culinary Arts is the #141 most popular major in California with 408 degrees and certificates awarded in 2020-2021.

There are so many programs in today's world that it can tough to figure out which one is the right one for you. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.

To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Most Popular Culinary Arts Associate Degree Schools in California ranking. Our analysis looked at 46 schools in California to see which associate degree programs were the most popular for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from the Culinary Arts program at each school on the list.

Check out the culinary arts associate degree programs at these schools if you want to attend one of the most popular in California.

#1

Cerritos College

Norwalk, CA

Our 2023 rankings named Cerritos College the most popular school in California for culinary arts students working on their associate degree. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a public school with a fairly large student population.

About 61% of the students majoring in culinary arts at the school are women while 39% are male.

Read More…

#2

Long Beach City College

Long Beach, CA

Out of the 46 schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, Long Beach City College landed the # 2 spot on the list. Located in the large city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a public school with a very large student population.

About 85% of the students majoring in culinary arts at the school are women while 15% are male.

Full Culinary Arts at Long Beach City College Report

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Los Angeles Trade Technical College is a great place for culinary arts students working on their associate degree. Located in the large city of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Trade Technical College is a public college with a medium-sized student population.

Women make up 64% of the culinary arts majors at the school.

While working on their Associate Degree, culinary arts majors at Los Angeles Trade Technical College accumulate an average of around $15,077 in student debt.

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A rank of #3 on this year’s list means San Joaquin Delta College is a great place for culinary arts students working on their associate degree. Located in the large city of Stockton, Delta is a public college with a fairly large student population.

Of the 22 students majoring in culinary arts at Delta, 14% are male and 86% are female.

Read full report on Culinary Arts at San Joaquin Delta College

#5

Orange Coast College

Costa Mesa, CA

The in-demand associate degree programs at Orange Coast College helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular culinary arts schools in California. Located in the medium-sized city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a public college with a fairly large student population.

About 68% of the students majoring in culinary arts at the school are women while 32% are male.

Read full report on Culinary Arts at Orange Coast College

#6

City College of San Francisco

San Francisco, CA

City College of San Francisco did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for culinary arts students to get a associate degree. It came in at #6 on the list. Located in the city of San Francisco, City College of San Francisco is a public college with a large student population.

About 44% of the students majoring in culinary arts at the school are women while 56% are male.

Read full report on Culinary Arts at City College of San Francisco

#6

Chaffey College

Rancho Cucamonga, CA

Chaffey College ranked #6 on this year’s Most Popular Culinary Arts Associate Degree Schools in California list. Located in the large suburb of Rancho Cucamonga, Chaffey College is a public school with a fairly large student population.

Women make up 83% of the culinary arts majors at the school.

Full Culinary Arts at Chaffey College Report

With a ranking of #6, Los Angeles Mission College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for culinary arts students working on their associate degree. Located in the large city of Sylmar, Los Angeles Mission College is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.

About 56% of the students majoring in culinary arts at the school are women while 44% are male.

Full Culinary Arts at Los Angeles Mission College Report

#6

San Diego Mesa College

San Diego, CA

San Diego Mesa College ranked #6 on this year’s Most Popular Culinary Arts Associate Degree Schools in California list. San Diego Mesa College is a large public school located in the large city of San Diego.

About 67% of the students majoring in culinary arts at the school are women while 33% are male.

Read More…

#10

Columbia College

Sonora, CA

Columbia College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Culinary Arts Associate Degree Schools in California ranking. Located in the rural area of Sonora, Columbia Junior College is a public college with a small student population.

Read full report on Culinary Arts at Columbia College

Honorable Mentions

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also popular but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Most Popular Culinary Arts Associate Degree Schools in California award.

Rank College Location

Best Culinary Arts Colleges in the Far Western US Region

Explore all the Most Popular Culinary Arts Schools in the Far Western US Area or other specific states within that region.

State Degrees Awarded
Washington 158
Oregon 66
Nevada 61
Hawaii 111
Alaska 10

One of 4 majors within the area of study, culinary arts has other similar majors worth exploring.

Related Major Annual Graduates
Cosmetology 107,895
Funeral & Mortuary Science 2,354
Casino Operations and Services 192
Other Personal & Culinary Services 81

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 28 schools only.

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of the rest of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Credit for the banner image above goes to U.S. Army Europe Images.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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