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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Baking & Pastry Arts/Baker/Pastry Chef Schools in the Great Lakes Region

10 Colleges in the United States
489 Baking & Pastry Arts/Baker/Pastry Chef Degrees Awarded
$34,271 Avg Early-Career Salary

Baking & Pastry Arts/Baker/Pastry Chef programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef programs.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 37 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Baking & Pastry Arts/Baker/Pastry Chef in the Great Lakes Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef education in the Great Lakes Region.

Top Schools in Baking & Pastry Arts/Baker/Pastry Chef

1

Madison Area Technical College is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef. This large public university is located in the city of Madison. Madison Area Technical College awarded about 14 baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program make about $44,279 in their early career. Madison Area Technical College graduates carry a median of $16,812 in student loans. Get the full baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef details for Madison Area Technical College

2

Students looking for a strong baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program will find one at Fox Valley Technical College, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Appleton, Fox Valley Technical College is a large public institution. Fox Valley Technical College awarded about 21 baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree recipients from Fox Valley Technical College generally make around $34,736. Typical student debt for the program is $14,234. More information about a degree in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef from Fox Valley Technical College

3

Students looking for a strong baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program will find one at Chippewa Valley Technical College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Eau Claire, Chippewa Valley Technical College is a large public university. About 10 baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degrees were awarded at Chippewa Valley Technical College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree recipients from Chippewa Valley Technical College generally make around $45,531. Typical student debt for the program is $14,234. See the full baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program report for Chippewa Valley Technical College

4
College Of Dupage crest
College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL

College Of Dupage came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef schools. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. About 21 baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degrees were awarded at College Of Dupage in the most recent year. Students who receive their baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree from College Of Dupage earn around $26,952 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $12,492 to complete this degree. Read more about the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program at College Of Dupage

5

Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef, ranking #5. Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. Cincinnati State Technical And Community College awarded about 31 baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree from Cincinnati State Technical And Community College earn around $36,330 in the first couple years of their career. Cincinnati State Technical And Community College graduates carry a median of $12,145 in student loans. Read more about the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program at Cincinnati State Technical And Community College

6

National Louis University placed #6 among the best baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef schools. National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 30%. National Louis University awarded about 20 baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program make about $24,786 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,500. Get the full baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef details for National Louis University

7

Elgin Community College came in at #7 for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef this year. Located in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public university. Elgin Community College awarded about 26 baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program make about $43,975 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $7,727. More information about a degree in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef from Elgin Community College

8

Waukesha County Technical College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef schools. Waukesha County Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Pewaukee. About 18 baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degrees were awarded at Waukesha County Technical College in the most recent year. Students who receive their baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree from Waukesha County Technical College earn around $46,398 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,595 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef from Waukesha County Technical College

9

Cuyahoga Community College District placed #9 among the best baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef schools. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public university. Cuyahoga Community College District awarded about 10 baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree from Cuyahoga Community College District earn around $39,394 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,636. Read more about the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program at Cuyahoga Community College District

10

Baker College Of Flint landed the #10 spot for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Owosso. Roughly 30% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 23 baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degrees were awarded at Baker College Of Flint in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree recipients from Baker College Of Flint generally make around $25,204. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000. Read more about the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program at Baker College Of Flint

11

Joliet Junior College landed the #11 spot for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Joliet. About 12 baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degrees were awarded at Joliet Junior College in the most recent year. Graduates of the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program make about $28,252 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,375 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef from Joliet Junior College

12

Milwaukee Area Technical College placed #12 among the best baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef schools. Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. Milwaukee Area Technical College awarded about 23 baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree recipients from Milwaukee Area Technical College generally make around $25,304. Milwaukee Area Technical College graduates carry a median of $19,386 in student loans. Get the full baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef details for Milwaukee Area Technical College

13

Grand Rapids Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef schools. This large public university is located in the city of Grand Rapids. There were roughly 14 baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef students who graduated with this degree at Grand Rapids Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree recipients from Grand Rapids Community College generally make around $26,052. Grand Rapids Community College graduates carry a median of $13,625 in student loans. See the full baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program report for Grand Rapids Community College

14

Gateway Technical College earned the #14 position for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef this year. Gateway Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Kenosha. About 11 baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degrees were awarded at Gateway Technical College in the most recent year. Students who receive their baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree from Gateway Technical College earn around $42,410 in the first couple years of their career. Gateway Technical College graduates carry a median of $14,829 in student loans. More information about a degree in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef from Gateway Technical College

15
Mchenry County College crest
Mchenry County College
Crystal Lake, IL

Mchenry County College placed #15 among the best baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef schools. Located in the rural area of Crystal Lake, Mchenry County College is a large public university. About 13 baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degrees were awarded at Mchenry County College in the most recent year. Students who receive their baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree from Mchenry County College earn around $24,177 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $7,440 to complete this degree. See the full baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program report for Mchenry County College

16
Ivy Tech Community College crest
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN

Ivy Tech Community College landed the #16 spot for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. There were roughly 76 baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef students who graduated with this degree at Ivy Tech Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree from Ivy Tech Community College earn around $40,734 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,889. Get the full baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef details for Ivy Tech Community College

17

Moraine Valley Community College landed the #17 spot for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Palos Hills. Moraine Valley Community College awarded about 22 baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree recipients from Moraine Valley Community College generally make around $43,844. Moraine Valley Community College graduates carry a median of $11,149 in student loans. Get the full baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef details for Moraine Valley Community College

18

Sinclair Community College earned the #18 position for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef this year. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. There were roughly 19 baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef students who graduated with this degree at Sinclair Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program make about $28,037 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,834. Get the full baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef details for Sinclair Community College

19

College Of Lake County placed #19 among the best baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef schools. Located in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public university. College Of Lake County awarded about 27 baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree from College Of Lake County earn around $50,314 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $9,785 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef from College Of Lake County

20

Schoolcraft College earned the #20 position for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef this year. Located in the city of Livonia, Schoolcraft College is a large public university. Schoolcraft College awarded about 23 baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program make about $27,248 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,750. Read more about the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program at Schoolcraft College

21

Kalamazoo Valley Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef schools. Located in the suburb of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Kalamazoo Valley Community College awarded about 10 baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree from Kalamazoo Valley Community College earn around $26,843 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,382. Get the full baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef details for Kalamazoo Valley Community College

22

Columbus State Community College landed the #22 spot for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 17 baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef students who graduated with this degree at Columbus State Community College in the most recent data year. Students borrow a median of $9,041 to complete this degree. Get the full baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef details for Columbus State Community College

23

City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College earned the #23 position for 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. City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College awarded about 17 baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College generally make around $19,447. City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College graduates carry a median of $7,986 in student loans. More information about a degree in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef from City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College

24

Mott Community College earned the #24 position for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Flint. There were roughly 11 baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef students who graduated with this degree at Mott Community College in the most recent data year. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates of Mott Community College earn a median of $37,989 early in their careers. Mott Community College graduates carry a median of $20,645 in student loans. More information about a degree in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef from Mott Community College

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 37 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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