2026 Best Value Baking & Pastry Arts/Baker/Pastry Chef Schools

1

El Centro College
Dallas, TX

For return on investment in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef, no school beat El Centro College this year. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,730 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Typical student debt for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates is $9,218. Soon after graduation, baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $31,127. Set against $9,218 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Suffolk County Community College
Selden, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Suffolk County Community College earned it the #2 place for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,630, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates carry a median of $11,246 in student loans. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $35,667 early in their careers. Set against $11,246 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Clover Park Technical College
Lakewood, WA

A rank of #3 makes Clover Park Technical College one of the best values for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef. Located in the city of Lakewood, Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,634. Students borrow a median of $15,154 to complete the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program here. Soon after graduation, baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree recipients from Clover Park Technical College generally make around $42,209. Set against $15,154 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Pensacola State College
Pensacola, FL

Pensacola State College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef schools. Pensacola State College is a large public school located in the city of Pensacola. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,361, while out-of-state students pay about $9,463. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program here. Soon after graduation, baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree recipients from Pensacola State College generally make around $45,811. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Wilkes Community College
Wilkesboro, NC

Wilkes Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,572, with out-of-state students paying around $8,716. Students borrow a median of $9,125 to complete the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program here. Early-career baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates make about $36,341. Set against $9,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

Central Piedmont Community College
Charlotte, NC

Central Piedmont Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef schools. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,792, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates carry a median of $11,861 in student loans. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $27,127 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Moraine Valley Community College
Palos Hills, IL

Moraine Valley Community College came in at #7 for value in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef this year. Located in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,822 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,846. Students borrow a median of $11,149 to complete the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program here. Soon after graduation, baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree recipients from Moraine Valley Community College generally make around $43,844. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College
Valdosta, GA

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College landed the #8 spot for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef value this year. Located in the rural area of Valdosta, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,480 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,048. Students borrow a median of $10,864 to complete the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program here. Early-career baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates make about $40,452. That is a strong return on a $10,864 median debt.

9

Trident Technical College
Charleston, SC

Trident Technical College came in at #9 for value in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef this year. Located in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,546, while out-of-state students pay about $8,620. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program here. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates of Trident Technical College earn a median of $50,166 early in their careers. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

Pima Community College
Tucson, AZ

Pima Community College placed #10 among the best values for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef. Set in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,442, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. Students borrow a median of $10,655 to complete the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program here. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $40,977 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

11

Cuyahoga Community College District
Cleveland, OH

Cuyahoga Community College District earned the #11 position for value in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,249 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,249. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates carry a median of $14,636 in student loans. Early-career baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates make about $39,394. That is a strong return on a $14,636 median debt.

12

Kalamazoo Valley Community College
Kalamazoo, MI

Kalamazoo Valley Community College placed #12 among the best values for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef. Located in the suburb of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,144 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,094 for out-of-state students. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates carry a median of $14,382 in student loans. Early-career baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates make about $26,843. That is a strong return on a $14,382 median debt.

13

Central New Mexico Community College
Albuquerque, NM

Central New Mexico Community College landed the #13 spot for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef value this year. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Typical student debt for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates is $10,112. Early-career baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates make about $23,139. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

West Georgia Technical College
Waco, GA

West Georgia Technical College placed #14 among the best values for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef. Located in the rural area of Waco, West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,410, while out-of-state students pay about $5,978. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates carry a median of $12,651 in student loans. Early-career baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates make about $39,922. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

15

South Texas College
McAllen, TX

South Texas College landed the #15 spot for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef value this year. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Typical student debt for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates is $6,868. Early-career baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates make about $24,084. That is a strong return on a $6,868 median debt.

16

Renton Technical College
Renton, WA

Renton Technical College landed the #16 spot for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef value this year. Set in the city of Renton, Renton Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,330, while out-of-state students pay about $7,768. Students borrow a median of $18,582 to complete the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program here. Early-career baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates make about $80,411. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

17

Henry Ford Community College
Dearborn, MI

Henry Ford Community College placed #17 among the best values for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef. Located in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,568, while out-of-state students pay about $7,816. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates carry a median of $19,144 in student loans. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates of Henry Ford Community College earn a median of $36,247 early in their careers. Set against $19,144 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

18

Horry Georgetown Technical College
Conway, SC

Horry Georgetown Technical College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef schools. Horry Georgetown Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Conway. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,518, with out-of-state students paying around $10,978. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree recipients from Horry Georgetown Technical College generally make around $24,466. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt.

19

Triton College
River Grove, IL

Triton College earned the #19 position for value in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef this year. Located in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,070 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,330 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates is $12,994. Soon after graduation, baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree recipients from Triton College generally make around $43,278. Set against $12,994 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

20

Bellingham Technical College
Bellingham, WA

Bellingham Technical College landed the #20 spot for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef value this year. Set in the city of Bellingham, Bellingham Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,431, compared with $5,809 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $49,748 ten years out.

21

Columbus Technical College
Columbus, GA

Columbus Technical College earned the #21 position for value in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,052, while out-of-state students pay about $7,262. Students borrow a median of $15,845 to complete the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program here. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates of Columbus Technical College earn a median of $37,936 early in their careers. Set against $15,845 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

22

Del Mar College
Corpus Christi, TX

Del Mar College came in at #22 for value in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef this year. Del Mar College is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,500, while out-of-state students pay about $6,050. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates carry a median of $7,476 in student loans. Soon after graduation, baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree recipients from Del Mar College generally make around $40,661. Set against $7,476 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

23

Ogeechee Technical College
Statesboro, GA

Ogeechee Technical College placed #23 among the best values for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef. Ogeechee Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Statesboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,388, compared with $5,956 for out-of-state students. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates carry a median of $11,894 in student loans. Early-career baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates make about $35,521. That is a strong return on a $11,894 median debt.

24

Richland Community College
Decatur, IL

Richland Community College landed the #24 spot for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef value this year. Set in the city of Decatur, Richland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,680 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,070 for out-of-state students. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates carry a median of $9,562 in student loans. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates of Richland Community College earn a median of $46,233 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

25

Central Arizona College
Coolidge, AZ

Central Arizona College placed #25 among the best values for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef. Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Coolidge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,250, compared with $4,500 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,635 to complete the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program here. Early-career baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates make about $48,826. Set against $11,635 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.