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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts Schools

13 Colleges in the United States
3,825 General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts Degrees Awarded
$38,520 Avg Early-Career Salary

General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 172 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for general cooking & related culinary arts students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts Schools

Where you study general cooking & related culinary arts matters for your future. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts rankings. For our Best Overall General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.

In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.

Associate's Degrees in General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts
Bachelor's Degrees in General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts
Master's Degrees in General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts
Doctoral Degrees in General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best 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.

To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.

See how we build our rankings

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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall general cooking & related culinary arts education, regardless of degree level.

1

Madison Area Technical College tops our 2026 ranking of the best general cooking & related culinary arts schools. Located in the city of Madison, Madison Area Technical College is a large public university. Madison Area Technical College awarded about 26 general cooking & related culinary arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general cooking & related culinary arts program make about $44,279 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,812 to complete this degree. Get the full general cooking & related culinary arts details for Madison Area Technical College

2

Students looking for a strong general cooking & related culinary arts program will find one at Santa Rosa Junior College, which ranked #2. This very large public university is located in the city of Santa Rosa. Santa Rosa Junior College awarded about 52 general cooking & related culinary arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general cooking & related culinary arts program make about $80,047 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,692. See the full general cooking & related culinary arts program report for Santa Rosa Junior College

3

A rank of #3 makes Kapiolani Community College one of the top schools for general cooking & related culinary arts. Located in the city of Honolulu, Kapiolani Community College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 82 general cooking & related culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Kapiolani Community College in the most recent data year. General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts graduates of Kapiolani Community College earn a median of $26,882 early in their careers. Kapiolani Community College graduates carry a median of $10,087 in student loans. More information about a degree in general cooking & related culinary arts from Kapiolani Community College

4

Utah Valley University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best general cooking & related culinary arts schools. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. Utah Valley University graduates 40% of students within six years. Utah Valley University awarded about 23 general cooking & related culinary arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general cooking & related culinary arts program make about $27,056 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,478. More information about a degree in general cooking & related culinary arts from Utah Valley University

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Orange Coast College crest
Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, CA

A rank of #5 makes Orange Coast College one of the top schools for general cooking & related culinary arts. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. Orange Coast College awarded about 83 general cooking & related culinary arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general cooking & related culinary arts degree recipients from Orange Coast College generally make around $46,306. Orange Coast College graduates carry a median of $8,978 in student loans. Read more about the general cooking & related culinary arts program at Orange Coast College

6
Cuesta College crest
Cuesta College
San Luis Obispo, CA

Cuesta College landed the #6 spot for general cooking & related culinary arts this year. Cuesta College is a large public school located in the rural area of San Luis Obispo. There were roughly 45 general cooking & related culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Cuesta College in the most recent data year. General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts graduates of Cuesta College earn a median of $64,492 early in their careers. Cuesta College graduates carry a median of $18,958 in student loans. More information about a degree in general cooking & related culinary arts from Cuesta College

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Diablo Valley College crest
Diablo Valley College
Pleasant Hill, CA

Diablo Valley College earned the #7 position for general cooking & related culinary arts this year. Located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public university. Diablo Valley College awarded about 26 general cooking & related culinary arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general cooking & related culinary arts degree recipients from Diablo Valley College generally make around $27,813. Students borrow a median of $9,205 to complete this degree. Get the full general cooking & related culinary arts details for Diablo Valley College

8

Northwest Arkansas Community College came in at #8 for general cooking & related culinary arts this year. This large public university is located in the city of Bentonville. There were roughly 16 general cooking & related culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Northwest Arkansas Community College in the most recent data year. General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts graduates of Northwest Arkansas Community College earn a median of $26,011 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $12,500. Get the full general cooking & related culinary arts details for Northwest Arkansas Community College

9

Grand Rapids Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best general cooking & related culinary arts schools. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Community College is a large public university. Grand Rapids Community College awarded about 11 general cooking & related culinary arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general cooking & related culinary arts program make about $26,052 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,625. More information about a degree in general cooking & related culinary arts from Grand Rapids Community College

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Cypress College crest
Cypress College
Cypress, CA

Cypress College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best general cooking & related culinary arts schools. Located in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public university. About 39 general cooking & related culinary arts degrees were awarded at Cypress College in the most recent year. More information about a degree in general cooking & related culinary arts from Cypress College

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Grossmont College crest
Grossmont College
El Cajon, CA

Grossmont College earned the #11 position for general cooking & related culinary arts this year. Set in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public institution. Grossmont College awarded about 71 general cooking & related culinary arts degrees in the most recent data year. Get the full general cooking & related culinary arts details for Grossmont College

12

Red Rocks Community College came in at #12 for general cooking & related culinary arts this year. Located in the suburb of Lakewood, Red Rocks Community College is a large public university. There were roughly 45 general cooking & related culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Red Rocks Community College in the most recent data year. General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts graduates of Red Rocks Community College earn a median of $76,340 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,471 to complete this degree. Read more about the general cooking & related culinary arts program at Red Rocks Community College

13
Mesa State College crest
Mesa State College
Grand Junction, CO

Mesa State College came in at #13 for general cooking & related culinary arts this year. This large public university is located in the city of Grand Junction. Roughly 47% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 41 general cooking & related culinary arts degrees were awarded at Mesa State College in the most recent year. General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts graduates of Mesa State College earn a median of $43,617 early in their careers. Mesa State College graduates carry a median of $22,310 in student loans. See the full general cooking & related culinary arts program report for Mesa State College

14

Hudson County Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best general cooking & related culinary arts schools. This large public university is located in the city of Jersey City. Hudson County Community College awarded about 12 general cooking & related culinary arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general cooking & related culinary arts program make about $26,170 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $12,900 to complete this degree. Get the full general cooking & related culinary arts details for Hudson County Community College

15

Los Angeles Harbor College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best general cooking & related culinary arts schools. This large public university is located in the city of Wilmington. About 66 general cooking & related culinary arts degrees were awarded at Los Angeles Harbor College in the most recent year. Students who receive their general cooking & related culinary arts degree from Los Angeles Harbor College earn around $91,233 in the first couple years of their career. Los Angeles Harbor College graduates carry a median of $11,488 in student loans. Get the full general cooking & related culinary arts details for Los Angeles Harbor College

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College Of The Canyons crest
College Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA

College Of The Canyons came in at #16 for general cooking & related culinary arts this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. There were roughly 41 general cooking & related culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at College Of The Canyons in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general cooking & related culinary arts program make about $51,913 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete this degree. Get the full general cooking & related culinary arts details for College Of The Canyons

17

Suny College Of Technology At Delhi placed #17 among the best general cooking & related culinary arts schools. Set in the rural area of Delhi, Suny College Of Technology At Delhi is a mid-sized public institution. About 38% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 10 general cooking & related culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Suny College Of Technology At Delhi in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general cooking & related culinary arts degree recipients from Suny College Of Technology At Delhi generally make around $20,213. Typical student debt for the program is $20,303. See the full general cooking & related culinary arts program report for Suny College Of Technology At Delhi

18

Keiser University Ft Lauderdale landed the #18 spot for general cooking & related culinary arts this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Fort Lauderdale. About 58% of students finish within six years. About 38 general cooking & related culinary arts degrees were awarded at Keiser University Ft Lauderdale in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general cooking & related culinary arts degree recipients from Keiser University Ft Lauderdale generally make around $28,159. Keiser University Ft Lauderdale graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. See the full general cooking & related culinary arts program report for Keiser University Ft Lauderdale

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Santa Ana College crest
Santa Ana College
Santa Ana, CA

Santa Ana College placed #19 among the best general cooking & related culinary arts schools. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. Santa Ana College awarded about 21 general cooking & related culinary arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general cooking & related culinary arts degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. Typical student debt for the program is $11,196. Get the full general cooking & related culinary arts details for Santa Ana College

20

University Of Hawaii Maui College earned the #20 position for general cooking & related culinary arts this year. Located in the city of Kahului, University Of Hawaii Maui College is a mid-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 8%. There were roughly 48 general cooking & related culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Hawaii Maui College in the most recent data year. General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts graduates of University Of Hawaii Maui College earn a median of $24,669 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $11,824 to complete this degree. Read more about the general cooking & related culinary arts program at University Of Hawaii Maui College

21

Mt San Antonio College placed #21 among the best general cooking & related culinary arts schools. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. About 26 general cooking & related culinary arts degrees were awarded at Mt San Antonio College in the most recent year. Students who receive their general cooking & related culinary arts degree from Mt San Antonio College earn around $44,391 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,384. See the full general cooking & related culinary arts program report for Mt San Antonio College

22

Cabrillo College landed the #22 spot for general cooking & related culinary arts this year. Cabrillo College is a large public school located in the suburb of Aptos. About 45 general cooking & related culinary arts degrees were awarded at Cabrillo College in the most recent year. General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts graduates of Cabrillo College earn a median of $47,750 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $10,425. More information about a degree in general cooking & related culinary arts from Cabrillo College

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Yavapai College crest
Yavapai College
Prescott, AZ

Yavapai College placed #23 among the best general cooking & related culinary arts schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Prescott. About 50 general cooking & related culinary arts degrees were awarded at Yavapai College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general cooking & related culinary arts degree recipients from Yavapai College generally make around $52,087. Typical student debt for the program is $14,087. See the full general cooking & related culinary arts program report for Yavapai College

24

City College Of San Francisco ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best general cooking & related culinary arts schools. This very large public university is located in the city of San Francisco. City College Of San Francisco awarded about 19 general cooking & related culinary arts degrees in the most recent data year. General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts graduates of City College Of San Francisco earn a median of $100,031 early in their careers. City College Of San Francisco graduates carry a median of $10,332 in student loans. Read more about the general cooking & related culinary arts program at City College Of San Francisco

25

Pima Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best general cooking & related culinary arts schools. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. About 29 general cooking & related culinary arts degrees were awarded at Pima Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general cooking & related culinary arts degree recipients from Pima Community College generally make around $40,977. Typical student debt for the program is $10,655. See the full general cooking & related culinary arts program report for Pima Community College

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong general cooking & related culinary arts education:

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Long Beach City College crest
Long Beach City College
Long Beach, CA
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Cerritos College crest
Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA
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31
32
American River College crest
American River College
Sacramento, CA
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34
35
36
37
38
39
Allan Hancock College crest
Allan Hancock College
Santa Maria, CA
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41
42
43
College Of The Desert crest
College Of The Desert
Palm Desert, CA
44
45
Cochise College crest
Cochise College
Sierra Vista, AZ
46
San Bernardino Valley College crest
San Bernardino Valley College
San Bernardino, CA
47
Pikes Peak Community College crest
Pikes Peak Community College
Colorado Springs, CO
48
49
Chaffey College crest
Chaffey College
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
50
Saddleback College crest
Saddleback College
Mission Viejo, CA

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View the Best General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

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General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 172 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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