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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts Schools in the Far Western Region

4 Colleges in the United States
1,551 General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts Degrees Awarded
$49,821 Avg Early-Career Salary

General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their general cooking & related culinary arts programs.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 62 schools to find the best for general cooking & related culinary arts students.

What’s on this page:

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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall general cooking & related culinary arts education in the Far Western Region.

1

Santa Rosa Junior College is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in general cooking & related culinary arts. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. There were roughly 52 general cooking & related culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Santa Rosa Junior College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general cooking & related culinary arts degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. Typical student debt for the program is $14,692. Get the full general cooking & related culinary arts details for Santa Rosa Junior College

2

Kapiolani Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best general cooking & related culinary arts schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Honolulu. Kapiolani Community College awarded about 82 general cooking & related culinary arts degrees 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. Read more about the general cooking & related culinary arts program at Kapiolani Community College

3
Orange Coast College crest
Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, CA

Orange Coast College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general cooking & related culinary arts, ranking #3. 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. See the full general cooking & related culinary arts program report for Orange Coast College

4
Cuesta College crest
Cuesta College
San Luis Obispo, CA

Students looking for a strong general cooking & related culinary arts program will find one at Cuesta College, which ranked #4. Located in the rural area of San Luis Obispo, Cuesta College is a large public university. There were roughly 45 general cooking & related culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Cuesta College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general cooking & related culinary arts degree recipients from Cuesta College generally make around $64,492. Students borrow a median of $18,958 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general cooking & related culinary arts from Cuesta College

5
Diablo Valley College crest
Diablo Valley College
Pleasant Hill, CA

Students looking for a strong general cooking & related culinary arts program will find one at Diablo Valley College, which ranked #5. Diablo Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. About 26 general cooking & related culinary arts degrees were awarded at Diablo Valley College in the most recent year. Graduates of the general cooking & related culinary arts program make about $27,813 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $9,205 to complete this degree. See the full general cooking & related culinary arts program report for Diablo Valley College

6
Cypress College crest
Cypress College
Cypress, CA

Cypress College placed #6 among the best general cooking & related culinary arts schools. Set in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public institution. Cypress College awarded about 39 general cooking & related culinary arts degrees in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in general cooking & related culinary arts from Cypress College

7
Grossmont College crest
Grossmont College
El Cajon, CA

Grossmont College earned the #7 position for general cooking & related culinary arts this year. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public university. 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

8

Los Angeles Harbor College placed #8 among the best general cooking & related culinary arts schools. Los Angeles Harbor College is a large public school located in the city of Wilmington. There were roughly 66 general cooking & related culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Los Angeles Harbor College in the most recent data year. General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts graduates of Los Angeles Harbor College earn a median of $91,233 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,488. Get the full general cooking & related culinary arts details for Los Angeles Harbor College

9
College Of The Canyons crest
College Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA

College Of The Canyons placed #9 among the best general cooking & related culinary arts schools. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. About 41 general cooking & related culinary arts degrees were awarded at College Of The Canyons in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general cooking & related culinary arts degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete this degree. Read more about the general cooking & related culinary arts program at College Of The Canyons

10
Santa Ana College crest
Santa Ana College
Santa Ana, CA

Santa Ana College placed #10 among the best general cooking & related culinary arts schools. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 21 general cooking & related culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Santa Ana College 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. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general cooking & related culinary arts from Santa Ana College

11

University Of Hawaii Maui College earned the #11 position for general cooking & related culinary arts this year. University Of Hawaii Maui College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Kahului. About 8% of students finish within six years. University Of Hawaii Maui College awarded about 48 general cooking & related culinary arts degrees 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. Typical student debt for the program is $11,824. More information about a degree in general cooking & related culinary arts from University Of Hawaii Maui College

12

Mt San Antonio College earned the #12 position for general cooking & related culinary arts this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Walnut. There were roughly 26 general cooking & related culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Mt San Antonio College in the most recent data 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

13

Cabrillo College landed the #13 spot for general cooking & related culinary arts this year. Located in the suburb of Aptos, Cabrillo College is a large public university. About 45 general cooking & related culinary arts degrees were awarded at Cabrillo College in the most recent year. Students who receive their general cooking & related culinary arts degree from Cabrillo College earn around $47,750 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $10,425 to complete this degree. See the full general cooking & related culinary arts program report for Cabrillo College

14

City College Of San Francisco landed the #14 spot for general cooking & related culinary arts this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, City College Of San Francisco is a very large public university. There were roughly 19 general cooking & related culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at City College Of San Francisco in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general cooking & related culinary arts program make about $100,031 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $10,332 to complete this degree. See the full general cooking & related culinary arts program report for City College Of San Francisco

15
Long Beach City College crest
Long Beach City College
Long Beach, CA

Long Beach City College placed #15 among the best general cooking & related culinary arts schools. Long Beach City College is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Long Beach City College awarded about 51 general cooking & related culinary arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the general cooking & related culinary arts program at Long Beach City College

16

West Hills College Lemoore ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best general cooking & related culinary arts schools. Located in the rural area of Lemoore, West Hills College Lemoore is a moderately-sized public university. About 13 general cooking & related culinary arts degrees were awarded at West Hills College Lemoore in the most recent year. Students who receive their general cooking & related culinary arts degree from West Hills College Lemoore earn around $40,499 in the first couple years of their career. West Hills College Lemoore graduates carry a median of $9,687 in student loans. Read more about the general cooking & related culinary arts program at West Hills College Lemoore

17
Cerritos College crest
Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA

Cerritos College earned the #17 position for general cooking & related culinary arts this year. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. Cerritos College awarded about 51 general cooking & related culinary arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general cooking & related culinary arts degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Typical student debt for the program is $11,306. Get the full general cooking & related culinary arts details for Cerritos College

18

Riverside City College came in at #18 for general cooking & related culinary arts this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Riverside. About 87 general cooking & related culinary arts degrees were awarded at Riverside City College in the most recent year. Students who receive their general cooking & related culinary arts degree from Riverside City College earn around $37,102 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,767. Get the full general cooking & related culinary arts details for Riverside City College

19

San Diego Mesa College placed #19 among the best general cooking & related culinary arts schools. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. About 92% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 14 general cooking & related culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at San Diego Mesa College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general cooking & related culinary arts degree from San Diego Mesa College earn around $29,852 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $6,999 to complete this degree. See the full general cooking & related culinary arts program report for San Diego Mesa College

20
American River College crest
American River College
Sacramento, CA

American River College came in at #20 for general cooking & related culinary arts this year. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public university. About 14 general cooking & related culinary arts degrees were awarded at American River College in the most recent year. Students who receive their general cooking & related culinary arts degree from American River College earn around $76,077 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,105. Read more about the general cooking & related culinary arts program at American River College

21

Southwestern College Chula Vista ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best general cooking & related culinary arts schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Chula Vista. There were roughly 35 general cooking & related culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Southwestern College Chula Vista in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general cooking & related culinary arts program make about $49,358 in their early career. Southwestern College Chula Vista graduates carry a median of $11,205 in student loans. Read more about the general cooking & related culinary arts program at Southwestern College Chula Vista

22

Los Angeles Mission College earned the #22 position for general cooking & related culinary arts this year. This large public university is located in the city of Sylmar. Los Angeles Mission College awarded about 128 general cooking & related culinary arts degrees in the most recent data year. Get the full general cooking & related culinary arts details for Los Angeles Mission College

23

San Joaquin Delta College came in at #23 for general cooking & related culinary arts this year. Located in the city of Stockton, San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public university. About 21 general cooking & related culinary arts degrees were awarded at San Joaquin Delta College in the most recent year. Graduates of the general cooking & related culinary arts program make about $65,168 in their early career. San Joaquin Delta College graduates carry a median of $6,382 in student loans. See the full general cooking & related culinary arts program report for San Joaquin Delta College

24

Leeward Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best general cooking & related culinary arts schools. Leeward Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Pearl City. About 32 general cooking & related culinary arts degrees were awarded at Leeward Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their general cooking & related culinary arts degree from Leeward Community College earn around $21,784 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,776. Get the full general cooking & related culinary arts details for Leeward Community College

25
Allan Hancock College crest
Allan Hancock College
Santa Maria, CA

Allan Hancock College earned the #25 position for general cooking & related culinary arts this year. Set in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public institution. About 22 general cooking & related culinary arts degrees were awarded at Allan Hancock College in the most recent year. See the full general cooking & related culinary arts program report for Allan Hancock College

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general cooking & related culinary arts ranking:

26
27
College Of The Desert crest
College Of The Desert
Palm Desert, CA
28
San Bernardino Valley College crest
San Bernardino Valley College
San Bernardino, CA
29
Chaffey College crest
Chaffey College
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
30
Saddleback College crest
Saddleback College
Mission Viejo, CA
31
32
33
Bakersfield College crest
Bakersfield College
Bakersfield, CA
34
Laney College crest
Laney College
Oakland, CA
35
36
Lake Tahoe Community College crest
Lake Tahoe Community College
South Lake Tahoe, CA
37

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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 · 62 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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