2026 Best Value Baking & Pastry Arts/Baker/Pastry Chef Schools in the Middle Atlantic 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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 35 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef schools.
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2026 Best Value Baking & Pastry Arts/Baker/Pastry Chef Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Baking & Pastry Arts/Baker/Pastry Chef Schools
Leading the list is Suffolk County Community College, our #1 best value for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates carry a median of $11,246 in student loans. Soon after graduation, baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $35,667. Set against $11,246 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Hudson County Community College one of the best values for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef. Set in the city of Jersey City, Hudson County Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,384, while out-of-state students pay about $9,248. Students borrow a median of $12,900 to complete the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program here. Soon after graduation, baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree recipients from Hudson County Community College generally make around $26,170. Set against $12,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Burlington County College one of the best values for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef. Located in the suburb of Mount Laurel, Burlington County College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,990 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,495 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates is $12,488. Early-career baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates make about $52,240. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Niagara County Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef schools. Niagara County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Sanborn. Students from in state pay about $6,894 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,030. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program here. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates of Niagara County Community College earn a median of $26,514 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Westmoreland County Community College earned it the #5 place for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef. Set in the suburb of Youngwood, Westmoreland County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,306, with out-of-state students paying around $14,728. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $37,439 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Delaware Technical Community College Terry came in at #6 for value in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef this year. Located in the city of Dover, Delaware Technical Community College Terry is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,332, with out-of-state students paying around $5,763. Typical student debt for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates is $11,154. Soon after graduation, baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree recipients from Delaware Technical Community College Terry generally make around $26,031. That is a strong return on a $11,154 median debt.
Erie Community College placed #7 among the best values for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef. Set in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,100, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates carry a median of $6,439 in student loans. Soon after graduation, baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree recipients from Erie Community College generally make around $15,565. That is a strong return on a $6,439 median debt.
Atlantic Cape Community College earned the #8 position for value in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef this year. Located in the rural area of Mays Landing, Atlantic Cape Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,594 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,350 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree recipients from Atlantic Cape Community College generally make around $31,639. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Brookdale Community College earned the #9 position for value in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef this year. Brookdale Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lincroft. In-state tuition and fees average $6,270, with out-of-state students paying around $10,140. Typical student debt for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates is $12,651. Early-career baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates make about $37,374. That is a strong return on a $12,651 median debt.
Passaic County Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef schools. Located in the suburb of Paterson, Passaic County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,300, while out-of-state students pay about $10,560. Students borrow a median of $9,581 to complete the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program here. Early-career baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates make about $28,957. Set against $9,581 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Montgomery County Community College earned the #11 position for value in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef this year. Set in the suburb of Blue Bell, Montgomery County Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,690 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,250 for out-of-state students. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates carry a median of $15,417 in student loans. Early-career baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates make about $30,324. Set against $15,417 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Monroe College Main Campus placed #12 among the best values for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef. Monroe College Main Campus is a large private for-profit school located in the city of Bronx. Students from in state pay about $18,464 in tuition and fees. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates carry a median of $13,364 in student loans. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates of Monroe College Main Campus earn a median of $18,256 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,364 median debt. Monroe College Main Campus admits about 68% of applicants.
Northampton County Area Community College placed #13 among the best values for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef. Northampton County Area Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Bethlehem. In-state tuition and fees average $5,550, with out-of-state students paying around $15,270. Typical student debt for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates is $18,900. Soon after graduation, baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree recipients from Northampton County Area Community College generally make around $35,960. Set against $18,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus came in at #14 for value in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef this year. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Indiana. In-state tuition and fees average $11,380, with out-of-state students paying around $16,297. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Early-career baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates make about $29,155. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College Of Technology At Alfred came in at #15 for value in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef this year. Suny College Of Technology At Alfred is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Alfred. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,892, while out-of-state students pay about $16,837. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates of Suny College Of Technology At Alfred earn a median of $26,598 early in their careers. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College Of Technology At Alfred admits about 76% of applicants.
Suny College Of Technology At Delhi earned the #16 position for value in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef this year. Suny College Of Technology At Delhi is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Delhi. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,772, while out-of-state students pay about $12,762. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates carry a median of $20,303 in student loans. Soon after graduation, baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree recipients from Suny College Of Technology At Delhi generally make around $20,213. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Lackawanna College placed #17 among the best values for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef. Located in the city of Scranton, Lackawanna College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,400. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates carry a median of $21,168 in student loans. Soon after graduation, baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree recipients from Lackawanna College generally make around $37,408. Set against $21,168 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pennsylvania College Of Technology landed the #18 spot for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef value this year. Pennsylvania College Of Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Williamsport. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,940, while out-of-state students pay about $25,680. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates carry a median of $16,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree recipients from Pennsylvania College Of Technology generally make around $25,269. Set against $16,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Culinary Institute Of America came in at #19 for value in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef this year. Culinary Institute Of America is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hyde Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,670. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program here. Soon after graduation, baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree recipients from Culinary Institute Of America generally make around $35,929. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Lincoln College Of Technology Columbia placed #20 among the best values for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef. Located in the city of Columbia, Lincoln College Of Technology Columbia is a small private for-profit university. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates carry a median of $12,934 in student loans. Early-career baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef graduates make about $24,128. That is a strong return on a $12,934 median debt.
The Restaurant School At Walnut Hill College placed #21 among the best values for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef. Set in the city of Philadelphia, The Restaurant School At Walnut Hill College is a small private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,499. 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 The Restaurant School At Walnut Hill College generally make around $26,743. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The Restaurant School At Walnut Hill College admits about 43% of applicants.
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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 · 35 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
