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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 California

2 Colleges in the United States
1,389 General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts Degrees Awarded
$52,749 Avg Early-Career Salary

General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their general cooking & related culinary arts programs.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 52 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for general cooking & related culinary arts students pursuing a degree.

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

1

Santa Rosa Junior College is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in general cooking & related culinary arts. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. 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. General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Santa Rosa Junior College graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. More information about a degree in general cooking & related culinary arts from Santa Rosa Junior College

2
Orange Coast College crest
Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, CA

Students looking for a strong general cooking & related culinary arts program will find one at Orange Coast College, which ranked #2. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. Orange Coast College awarded about 83 general cooking & related culinary arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general cooking & related culinary arts degree from Orange Coast College earn around $46,306 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,978. More information about a degree in general cooking & related culinary arts from Orange Coast College

3
Cuesta College crest
Cuesta College
San Luis Obispo, CA

Cuesta College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best general cooking & related culinary arts schools. Cuesta College is a large public school located in the rural area of San Luis Obispo. Cuesta College awarded about 45 general cooking & related culinary arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general cooking & related culinary arts degree from Cuesta College earn around $64,492 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,958. Get the full general cooking & related culinary arts details for Cuesta College

4
Diablo Valley College crest
Diablo Valley College
Pleasant Hill, CA

Diablo Valley College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general cooking & related culinary arts, ranking #4. Located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public university. There were roughly 26 general cooking & related culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Diablo Valley College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general cooking & related culinary arts program make about $27,813 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,205. Read more about the general cooking & related culinary arts program at Diablo Valley College

5
Cypress College crest
Cypress College
Cypress, CA

Students looking for a strong general cooking & related culinary arts program will find one at Cypress College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public university. There were roughly 39 general cooking & related culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Cypress College in the most recent data year. Read more about the general cooking & related culinary arts program at Cypress College

6
Grossmont College crest
Grossmont College
El Cajon, CA

Grossmont College earned the #6 position for general cooking & related culinary arts this year. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public university. There were roughly 71 general cooking & related culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Grossmont College in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in general cooking & related culinary arts from Grossmont College

7

Los Angeles Harbor College landed the #7 spot for general cooking & related culinary arts this year. Set in the city of Wilmington, Los Angeles Harbor College is a large public institution. 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. 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. Students borrow a median of $11,488 to complete this degree. Get the full general cooking & related culinary arts details for Los Angeles Harbor College

8
College Of The Canyons crest
College Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA

College Of The Canyons came in at #8 for general cooking & related culinary arts this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. About 41 general cooking & related culinary arts degrees were awarded at College Of The Canyons in the most recent year. General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. College Of The Canyons graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Get the full general cooking & related culinary arts details for College Of The Canyons

9
Santa Ana College crest
Santa Ana College
Santa Ana, CA

Santa Ana College landed the #9 spot for general cooking & related culinary arts this year. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. About 21 general cooking & related culinary arts degrees were awarded at Santa Ana College in the most recent year. General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $39,633 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete this degree. See the full general cooking & related culinary arts program report for Santa Ana College

10

Mt San Antonio College came in at #10 for general cooking & related culinary arts this year. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Mt San Antonio 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 Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. Mt San Antonio College graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. See the full general cooking & related culinary arts program report for Mt San Antonio College

11

Cabrillo College came in at #11 for general cooking & related culinary arts this year. Cabrillo College is a large public school located in the suburb of Aptos. There were roughly 45 general cooking & related culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Cabrillo College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general cooking & related culinary arts degree recipients from Cabrillo College generally make around $47,750. Typical student debt for the program is $10,425. Read more about the general cooking & related culinary arts program at Cabrillo College

12

City College Of San Francisco earned the #12 position for general cooking & related culinary arts this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Francisco. 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. Students who receive their general cooking & related culinary arts degree from City College Of San Francisco earn around $100,031 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,332. More information about a degree in general cooking & related culinary arts from City College Of San Francisco

13
Long Beach City College crest
Long Beach City College
Long Beach, CA

Long Beach City College earned the #13 position for general cooking & related culinary arts this year. Long Beach City College is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. There were roughly 51 general cooking & related culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Long Beach City College in the most recent data year. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general cooking & related culinary arts from Long Beach City College

14

West Hills College Lemoore came in at #14 for general cooking & related culinary arts this year. Set in the rural area of Lemoore, West Hills College Lemoore is a moderately-sized public institution. West Hills College Lemoore awarded about 13 general cooking & related culinary arts degrees in the most recent data year. General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts graduates of West Hills College Lemoore earn a median of $40,499 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $9,687 to complete this degree. See the full general cooking & related culinary arts program report for West Hills College Lemoore

15
Cerritos College crest
Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA

Cerritos College earned the #15 position for general cooking & related culinary arts this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Norwalk. There were roughly 51 general cooking & related culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Cerritos College in the most recent data year. General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. Cerritos College graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Read more about the general cooking & related culinary arts program at Cerritos College

16

Riverside City College came in at #16 for general cooking & related culinary arts this year. Set in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public institution. Riverside City College awarded about 87 general cooking & related culinary arts degrees in the most recent data year. General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts graduates of Riverside City College earn a median of $37,102 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $8,767 to complete this degree. See the full general cooking & related culinary arts program report for Riverside City College

17

San Diego Mesa College earned the #17 position for general cooking & related culinary arts this year. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. About 92% of students finish within six years. About 14 general cooking & related culinary arts degrees were awarded at San Diego Mesa College in the most recent year. General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $29,852 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $6,999. Read more about the general cooking & related culinary arts program at San Diego Mesa College

18
American River College crest
American River College
Sacramento, CA

American River College earned the #18 position for general cooking & related culinary arts this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Sacramento. About 14 general cooking & related culinary arts degrees were awarded at American River College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general cooking & related culinary arts degree recipients from American River College generally make around $76,077. Students borrow a median of $14,105 to complete this degree. Get the full general cooking & related culinary arts details for American River College

19

Southwestern College Chula Vista ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best general cooking & related culinary arts schools. Southwestern College Chula Vista is a very large public school located in the city of Chula Vista. Southwestern College Chula Vista awarded about 35 general cooking & related culinary arts degrees 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. More information about a degree in general cooking & related culinary arts from Southwestern College Chula Vista

20

Los Angeles Mission College came in at #20 for general cooking & related culinary arts this year. Los Angeles Mission College is a large public school 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. More information about a degree in general cooking & related culinary arts from Los Angeles Mission College

21

San Joaquin Delta College placed #21 among the best general cooking & related culinary arts schools. San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public school located in the city of Stockton. San Joaquin Delta College awarded about 21 general cooking & related culinary arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general cooking & related culinary arts program make about $65,168 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $6,382. Get the full general cooking & related culinary arts details for San Joaquin Delta College

22
Allan Hancock College crest
Allan Hancock College
Santa Maria, CA

Allan Hancock College landed the #22 spot for general cooking & related culinary arts this year. This large public university is located in the city of Santa Maria. Allan Hancock College awarded about 22 general cooking & related culinary arts degrees in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in general cooking & related culinary arts from Allan Hancock College

23

College Of The Sequoias earned the #23 position for general cooking & related culinary arts this year. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. There were roughly 37 general cooking & related culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at College Of The Sequoias in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general cooking & related culinary arts program make about $37,749 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,288. See the full general cooking & related culinary arts program report for College Of The Sequoias

24
College Of The Desert crest
College Of The Desert
Palm Desert, CA

College Of The Desert landed the #24 spot for general cooking & related culinary arts this year. This large public university is located in the city of Palm Desert. College Of The Desert awarded about 34 general cooking & related culinary arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general cooking & related culinary arts degree from College Of The Desert earn around $41,295 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $7,826 to complete this degree. See the full general cooking & related culinary arts program report for College Of The Desert

25
San Bernardino Valley College crest
San Bernardino Valley College
San Bernardino, CA

San Bernardino Valley College earned the #25 position for general cooking & related culinary arts this year. Located in the city of San Bernardino, San Bernardino Valley College is a large public university. About 16 general cooking & related culinary arts degrees were awarded at San Bernardino Valley College in the most recent year. General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts graduates of San Bernardino Valley College earn a median of $69,642 early in their careers. San Bernardino Valley College graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Get the full general cooking & related culinary arts details for San Bernardino Valley College

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

26
Chaffey College crest
Chaffey College
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
27
Saddleback College crest
Saddleback College
Mission Viejo, CA
28
29
30
Bakersfield College crest
Bakersfield College
Bakersfield, CA
31
Laney College crest
Laney College
Oakland, CA
32
33
Lake Tahoe Community College crest
Lake Tahoe Community College
South Lake Tahoe, CA
34

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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 · 52 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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