by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/culinary-arts/cooking-and-related-culinary-arts-general/) 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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 172 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general cooking & related culinary arts students.
What’s on this page:
The right general cooking & related culinary arts school can pay off for years to come. That is why we built our Best Value General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Read more about our methodology
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general cooking & related culinary arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Grossmont College earned the #1 spot for value among general cooking & related culinary arts schools in the United States. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $10,628. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,309 ten years after entry.
College Of The Canyons came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general cooking & related culinary arts schools. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Typical student debt for general cooking & related culinary arts graduates is $9,776. General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
San Diego Mesa College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general cooking & related culinary arts schools. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. Early-career general cooking & related culinary arts graduates make about $29,852. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Trident Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general cooking & related culinary arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,546 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,620. General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of The Sequoias earned it the #5 place for general cooking & related culinary arts. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. In-state tuition and fees average $1,394, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general cooking & related culinary arts graduates is $10,288. General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $37,749 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Cerritos College came in at #6 for value in general cooking & related culinary arts this year. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Typical student debt for general cooking & related culinary arts graduates is $11,306. Soon after graduation, general cooking & related culinary arts degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.
Mt San Antonio College earned the #7 position for value in general cooking & related culinary arts this year. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the general cooking & related culinary arts program here. General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
Pima Community College earned the #8 position for value in general cooking & related culinary arts this year. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,442, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. Students borrow a median of $10,655 to complete the general cooking & related culinary arts program here. General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts 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.
Santa Ana College placed #9 among the best values for general cooking & related culinary arts. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete the general cooking & related culinary arts program here. Early-career general cooking & related culinary arts graduates make about $39,633. That is a strong return on a $11,196 median debt.
Saddleback College placed #10 among the best values for general cooking & related culinary arts. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central New Mexico Community College came in at #11 for value in general cooking & related culinary arts this year. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general cooking & related culinary arts degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $23,139. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.
Hinds Community College landed the #12 spot for general cooking & related culinary arts value this year. Hinds Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Raymond. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,250, compared with $7,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general cooking & related culinary arts graduates is $12,169. General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts graduates of Hinds Community College earn a median of $34,003 early in their careers. Set against $12,169 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Coahoma Community College placed #13 among the best values for general cooking & related culinary arts. Coahoma Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Clarksdale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,490. Students borrow a median of $11,745 to complete the general cooking & related culinary arts program here. Early-career general cooking & related culinary arts graduates make about $29,600. That is a strong return on a $11,745 median debt.
Riverside City College came in at #14 for value in general cooking & related culinary arts this year. Set in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $8,767 in student loans. General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts graduates of Riverside City College earn a median of $37,102 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,767 median debt.
Orange Coast College placed #15 among the best values for general cooking & related culinary arts. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,392, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Typical student debt for general cooking & related culinary arts graduates is $8,978. General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts graduates of Orange Coast College earn a median of $46,306 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,978 median debt.
Kapiolani Community College came in at #16 for value in general cooking & related culinary arts this year. Set in the city of Honolulu, Kapiolani Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,284, while out-of-state students pay about $8,420. Students borrow a median of $10,087 to complete the general cooking & related culinary arts program here. Soon after graduation, general cooking & related culinary arts degree recipients from Kapiolani Community College generally make around $26,882. Set against $10,087 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cypress College placed #17 among the best values for general cooking & related culinary arts. Cypress College is a very large public school located in the city of Cypress. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,150, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,533.
Santa Rosa Junior College earned the #18 position for value in general cooking & related culinary arts this year. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,318 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the general cooking & related culinary arts program here. General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,692 median debt.
American River College came in at #19 for value in general cooking & related culinary arts this year. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Typical student debt for general cooking & related culinary arts graduates is $14,105. General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts graduates of American River College earn a median of $76,077 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,105 median debt.
Albany Technical College came in at #20 for value in general cooking & related culinary arts this year. Set in the city of Albany, Albany Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,364, while out-of-state students pay about $5,932. General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $16,321 in student loans. General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts graduates of Albany Technical College earn a median of $35,895 early in their careers. Set against $16,321 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Kingsborough Community College earned the #21 position for value in general cooking & related culinary arts this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,252, with out-of-state students paying around $8,132. General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $7,858 in student loans. General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts graduates of Cuny Kingsborough Community College earn a median of $35,562 early in their careers. Set against $7,858 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Arizona College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value general cooking & related culinary arts schools. Located in the rural area of Coolidge, Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,250, compared with $4,500 for out-of-state students. General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $11,635 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general cooking & related culinary arts degree recipients from Central Arizona College generally make around $48,826. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Allan Hancock College placed #23 among the best values for general cooking & related culinary arts. Set in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,892 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,786.
Woodland Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value general cooking & related culinary arts schools. Woodland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Woodland. Students from in state pay about $1,124 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,656. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,042 ten years after entry.
Nassau Community College came in at #25 for value in general cooking & related culinary arts this year. Located in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,330 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,130. Students borrow a median of $11,850 to complete the general cooking & related culinary arts program here. Soon after graduation, general cooking & related culinary arts degree recipients from Nassau Community College generally make around $38,734. Set against $11,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general cooking & related culinary arts value ranking:
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Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts. Browse the parent area of study.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 172 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.