2026 Best Value Baking & Pastry Arts/Baker/Pastry Chef Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Baking & Pastry Arts/Baker/Pastry Chef](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/culinary-arts/baking-and-pastry-arts-baker-pastry-chef/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 37 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef students.
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2026 Best Value Baking & Pastry Arts/Baker/Pastry Chef Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Baking & Pastry Arts/Baker/Pastry Chef Schools
Moraine Valley Community College earned the #1 spot for value among baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,822, 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. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates of Moraine Valley Community College earn a median of $43,844 early in their careers. Set against $11,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef will find it at Cuyahoga Community College District, which ranked #2. Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Cleveland. Students from in state pay about $3,249 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,249. Typical student debt for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates is $14,636. Soon after graduation, baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree recipients from Cuyahoga Community College District generally make around $39,394. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Kalamazoo Valley Community College earned it the #3 place for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef. Located in the suburb of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,144, with out-of-state students paying around $9,094. Typical student debt for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates is $14,382. Early-career baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates make about $26,843. That is a strong return on a $14,382 median debt.
Henry Ford Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,568, while out-of-state students pay about $7,816. Typical student debt for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates is $19,144. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates of Henry Ford Community College earn a median of $36,247 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Triton College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef, landing the #5 spot this year. Triton College is a large public school located in the suburb of River Grove. In-state tuition and fees average $5,070, with out-of-state students paying around $15,330. Typical student debt for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates is $12,994. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates of Triton College earn a median of $43,278 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,994 median debt.
Northwestern Michigan College earned the #6 position for value in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef this year. Northwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Traverse City. Students from in state pay about $5,860 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,476. Students borrow a median of $14,199 to complete the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program here. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates of Northwestern Michigan College earn a median of $26,586 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,199 median debt.
Oakland Community College earned the #7 position for value in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef this year. Located in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,120 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,560. Students borrow a median of $15,865 to complete the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program here. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates of Oakland Community College earn a median of $43,205 early in their careers. Set against $15,865 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Richland Community College placed #8 among the best values for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef. Richland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Decatur. In-state tuition and fees average $4,680, compared with $17,070 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates is $9,562. 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.
Schoolcraft College landed the #9 spot for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef value this year. Located in the city of Livonia, Schoolcraft College is a large public university. 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 the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program here. Soon after graduation, baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree recipients from Schoolcraft College generally make around $27,248. Set against $15,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College came in at #10 for value in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef this year. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Typical student debt for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates is $7,986. Soon after graduation, baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College generally make around $19,447. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Joliet Junior College earned the #11 position for value in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef this year. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,530, compared with $13,800 for out-of-state students. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates carry a median of $16,375 in student loans. Early-career baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates make about $28,252. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sinclair Community College placed #12 among the best values for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates carry a median of $15,834 in student loans. Early-career baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates make about $28,037. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Elgin Community College placed #13 among the best values for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef. Located in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,252 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,516 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,727 to complete the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program here. Soon after graduation, baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree recipients from Elgin Community College generally make around $43,975. Set against $7,727 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Dupage ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef schools. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,750 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates is $12,492. Early-career baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates make about $26,952. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Macomb Community College placed #15 among the best values for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef. Macomb Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Warren. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates is $9,862. Soon after graduation, baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree recipients from Macomb Community College generally make around $20,701. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Lake County placed #16 among the best values for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef. College Of Lake County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Grayslake. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,788, while out-of-state students pay about $14,400. Students borrow a median of $9,785 to complete the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program here. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates of College Of Lake County earn a median of $50,314 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College landed the #17 spot for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef value this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,517, compared with $10,044 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates is $12,145. Early-career baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates make about $36,330. Set against $12,145 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ivy Tech Community College placed #18 among the best values for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,154, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,889 to complete the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program here. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $40,734 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,889 median debt.
Mott Community College placed #19 among the best values for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef. Mott Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Flint. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,845, while out-of-state students pay about $11,460. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates carry a median of $20,645 in student loans. Early-career baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates make about $37,989. Set against $20,645 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Columbus State Community College came in at #20 for value in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,488, while out-of-state students pay about $11,224. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates carry a median of $9,041 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,435 ten years after entry. Set against $9,041 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mchenry County College came in at #21 for value in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef this year. Set in the rural area of Crystal Lake, Mchenry County College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,162, compared with $14,399 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,440 to complete the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program here. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates of Mchenry County College earn a median of $24,177 early in their careers. Set against $7,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rend Lake College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef schools. Located in the rural area of Ina, Rend Lake College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,500 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,800. Typical student debt for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates is $8,688. Early-career baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates make about $42,770. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lakeshore Technical College placed #23 among the best values for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef. Lakeshore Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Cleveland. In-state tuition and fees average $4,844, while out-of-state students pay about $7,087. Students borrow a median of $11,582 to complete the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program here. Early-career baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates make about $41,252. That is a strong return on a $11,582 median debt.
Gateway Technical College earned the #24 position for value in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef this year. Set in the city of Kenosha, Gateway Technical College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,956, with out-of-state students paying around $7,199. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates carry a median of $14,829 in student loans. Soon after graduation, baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree recipients from Gateway Technical College generally make around $42,410. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Waukesha County Technical College came in at #25 for value in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef this year. Waukesha County Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Pewaukee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,803, while out-of-state students pay about $7,046. Students borrow a median of $16,595 to complete the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program here. Early-career baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates make about $46,398. Set against $16,595 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 34 Best Value Baking & Pastry Arts/Baker/Pastry Chef Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 37 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 ranked 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 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
