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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Baking & Pastry Arts/Baker/Pastry Chef Schools in the Southwest Region

4 Colleges in the United States
485 Baking & Pastry Arts/Baker/Pastry Chef Degrees Awarded
$33,555 Avg Early-Career Salary

Baking & Pastry Arts/Baker/Pastry Chef programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 24 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 Southwest Region

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

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

1
El Centro College crest
El Centro College
Dallas, TX

Our analysis ranked El Centro College the best school in the country for a degree in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. El Centro College awarded about 48 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 El Centro College earn around $31,127 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $9,218 to complete this degree. See the full baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program report for El Centro College

2

Austin Community College District is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef, landing the #2 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Austin. Austin Community College District awarded about 10 baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degrees in the most recent data year. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,519. See the full baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program report for Austin Community College District

3

Scottsdale Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef schools. Set in the rural area of Scottsdale, Scottsdale Community College is a large public institution. Scottsdale Community College awarded about 10 baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degrees in the most recent data year. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates of Scottsdale Community College earn a median of $48,039 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,084 to complete this degree. See the full baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program report for Scottsdale Community College

4

Collin County Community College District is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef, landing the #4 spot this year. Collin County Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of McKinney. There were roughly 28 baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef students who graduated with this degree at Collin County Community College District in the most recent data year. Students who receive their baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree from Collin County Community College District earn around $42,177 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $9,716 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef from Collin County Community College District

5

San Jacinto Community College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, San Jacinto Community College is a very large public institution. San Jacinto Community College awarded about 17 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 $38,107 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,376. See the full baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program report for San Jacinto Community College

6

Central New Mexico Community College placed #6 among the best baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef schools. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. About 35 baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degrees were awarded at Central New Mexico Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $23,139. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete this degree. Read more about the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program at Central New Mexico Community College

7
St Philips College crest
St Philips College
San Antonio, TX

St Philips College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef schools. This very large public university is located in the city of San Antonio. About 90 baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degrees were awarded at St Philips College in the most recent year. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates of St Philips College earn a median of $45,185 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,653 to complete this degree. Get the full baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef details for St Philips College

8

South Texas College placed #8 among the best baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef schools. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 20%. South Texas College awarded about 41 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 South Texas College earn around $24,084 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $6,868 to complete this degree. Get the full baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef details for South Texas College

9

Houston Community College placed #9 among the best baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef schools. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public university. There were roughly 73 baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef students who graduated with this degree at Houston Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree recipients from Houston Community College generally make around $26,419. Houston Community College graduates carry a median of $26,217 in student loans. Read more about the baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program at Houston Community College

10

El Paso Community College came in at #10 for baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef this year. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. There were roughly 17 baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef students who graduated with this degree at El Paso Community College in the most recent data year. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $29,086 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $8,542. Get the full baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef details for El Paso Community College

11

Auguste Escoffier School Of Culinary Arts Austin placed #11 among the best baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef schools. Located in the city of Austin, Auguste Escoffier School Of Culinary Arts Austin is a small private for-profit university. There were roughly 60 baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef students who graduated with this degree at Auguste Escoffier School Of Culinary Arts Austin in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef degree recipients from Auguste Escoffier School Of Culinary Arts Austin generally make around $25,743. Students borrow a median of $16,491 to complete this degree. See the full baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program report for Auguste Escoffier School Of Culinary Arts Austin

12

Culinary Institute Inc placed #12 among the best baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef schools. Located in the city of Houston, Culinary Institute Inc is a small private for-profit university. There were roughly 56 baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef students who graduated with this degree at Culinary Institute Inc in the most recent data year. Baking & Pastry Arts/baker/pastry Chef graduates of Culinary Institute Inc earn a median of $24,664 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,144 to complete this degree. See the full baking & pastry arts/baker/pastry chef program report for Culinary Institute Inc

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 24 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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