ADBLOCK #102
College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts Schools in the Southeast Region

6 Colleges in the United States
509 General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts Degrees Awarded
$30,242 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.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 39 schools to find the best for general cooking & related culinary arts students.

What’s on this page:

ADBLOCK #159
DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/culinary-arts/cooking-and-related-culinary-arts-general/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/culinary-arts/cooking-and-related-culinary-arts-general/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/culinary-arts/cooking-and-related-culinary-arts-general/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/culinary-arts/cooking-and-related-culinary-arts-general/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/culinary-arts/cooking-and-related-culinary-arts-general/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/culinary-arts/cooking-and-related-culinary-arts-general/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/culinary-arts/cooking-and-related-culinary-arts-general/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 1
DEBUG: Specific major detected (cip4 = 12.05), keeping min_relevance at 0.8
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.8, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "Trade & Vocational Programs (Culinary & Pastry)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Trade & Vocational Programs (Culinary & Pastry)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 1
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 1 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.8
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 1
DEBUG: ESYOH offers found, rendering ESYOH widget
DEBUG: most_relevant_only = true, filtering for most relevant
DEBUG: Found 1 offers with relevance >= 1.0

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

1

Northwest Arkansas Community 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 Bentonville, Northwest Arkansas Community College is a large public institution. 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. More information about a degree in general cooking & related culinary arts from Northwest Arkansas Community College

2

Keiser University Ft Lauderdale came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best general cooking & related culinary arts schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Fort Lauderdale. About 58% of students finish within six years. Keiser University Ft Lauderdale awarded about 38 general cooking & related culinary arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general cooking & related culinary arts degree recipients from Keiser University Ft Lauderdale generally make around $28,159. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the general cooking & related culinary arts program at Keiser University Ft Lauderdale

3

Students looking for a strong general cooking & related culinary arts program will find one at Jones County Junior College, which ranked #3. Set in the town of Ellisville, Jones County Junior College is a moderately-sized public institution. Jones County Junior College awarded about 40 general cooking & related culinary arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general cooking & related culinary arts program make about $33,655 in their early career. Jones County Junior College graduates carry a median of $9,559 in student loans. See the full general cooking & related culinary arts program report for Jones County Junior College

4

A rank of #4 makes Tidewater Community College one of the top schools for general cooking & related culinary arts. Set in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Community College is a very large public institution. About 39 general cooking & related culinary arts degrees were awarded at Tidewater Community College in the most recent year. General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts graduates of Tidewater Community College earn a median of $23,653 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,671 to complete this degree. See the full general cooking & related culinary arts program report for Tidewater Community College

5

Students looking for a strong general cooking & related culinary arts program will find one at Pellissippi State Community College, which ranked #5. This large public university is located in the suburb of Knoxville. There were roughly 21 general cooking & related culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Pellissippi State Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general cooking & related culinary arts degree from Pellissippi State Community College earn around $43,816 in the first couple years of their career. Pellissippi State Community College graduates carry a median of $8,951 in student loans. Get the full general cooking & related culinary arts details for Pellissippi State Community College

6

Meridian Community College came in at #6 for general cooking & related culinary arts this year. Located in the town of Meridian, Meridian Community College is a mid-sized public university. There were roughly 20 general cooking & related culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Meridian Community College in the most recent data year. General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts graduates of Meridian Community College earn a median of $34,846 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $10,368. Get the full general cooking & related culinary arts details for Meridian Community College

7

Hinds Community College came in at #7 for general cooking & related culinary arts this year. Hinds Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Raymond. There were roughly 32 general cooking & related culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Hinds Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general cooking & related culinary arts degree recipients from Hinds Community College generally make around $34,003. Typical student debt for the program is $12,169. Get the full general cooking & related culinary arts details for Hinds Community College

8

Rappahannock Community College came in at #8 for general cooking & related culinary arts this year. Rappahannock Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Glenns. Rappahannock Community 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 $43,398 in their early career. Rappahannock Community College graduates carry a median of $8,997 in student loans. More information about a degree in general cooking & related culinary arts from Rappahannock Community College

9

Southside Virginia Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best general cooking & related culinary arts schools. Located in the rural area of Alberta, Southside Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public university. Southside Virginia Community College awarded about 19 general cooking & related culinary arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general cooking & related culinary arts degree from Southside Virginia Community College earn around $29,666 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $7,467 to complete this degree. Read more about the general cooking & related culinary arts program at Southside Virginia Community College

10

Virginia Western Community College placed #10 among the best general cooking & related culinary arts schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Roanoke. About 20 general cooking & related culinary arts degrees were awarded at Virginia Western Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their general cooking & related culinary arts degree from Virginia Western Community College earn around $36,245 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,715. More information about a degree in general cooking & related culinary arts from Virginia Western Community College

11

J Sargeant Reynolds Community College earned the #11 position for general cooking & related culinary arts this year. Set in the suburb of Richmond, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public institution. There were roughly 22 general cooking & related culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at J Sargeant Reynolds Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general cooking & related culinary arts degree from J Sargeant Reynolds Community College earn around $36,965 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,131 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general cooking & related culinary arts from J Sargeant Reynolds Community College

12

North Georgia Technical College came in at #12 for general cooking & related culinary arts this year. Set in the rural area of Clarkesville, North Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. North Georgia Technical College awarded about 10 general cooking & related culinary arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general cooking & related culinary arts degree from North Georgia Technical College earn around $17,383 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $12,279 to complete this degree. Get the full general cooking & related culinary arts details for North Georgia Technical College

13

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College landed the #13 spot for general cooking & related culinary arts this year. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Perkinston. There were roughly 27 general cooking & related culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in the most recent data year. General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts graduates of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College earn a median of $34,214 early in their careers. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College graduates carry a median of $11,653 in student loans. More information about a degree in general cooking & related culinary arts from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College

14

Coahoma Community College placed #14 among the best general cooking & related culinary arts schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the rural area of Clarksdale. About 45 general cooking & related culinary arts degrees were awarded at Coahoma Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their general cooking & related culinary arts degree from Coahoma Community College earn around $29,600 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,745. Get the full general cooking & related culinary arts details for Coahoma Community College

15

Remington College Memphis Campus ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best general cooking & related culinary arts schools. Remington College Memphis Campus is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Memphis. About 49 general cooking & related culinary arts degrees were awarded at Remington College Memphis Campus in the most recent year. General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts graduates of Remington College Memphis Campus earn a median of $25,389 early in their careers. Remington College Memphis Campus graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in general cooking & related culinary arts from Remington College Memphis Campus

16

Florida Education Institute landed the #16 spot for general cooking & related culinary arts this year. Florida Education Institute is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Miami. About 40 general cooking & related culinary arts degrees were awarded at Florida Education Institute in the most recent year. Students who receive their general cooking & related culinary arts degree from Florida Education Institute earn around $20,531 in the first couple years of their career. Florida Education Institute graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Read more about the general cooking & related culinary arts program at Florida Education Institute

17
Helms College crest
Helms College
Augusta, GA

Helms College landed the #17 spot for general cooking & related culinary arts this year. Located in the city of Augusta, Helms College is a small private not-for-profit university. There were roughly 27 general cooking & related culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Helms College in the most recent data year. General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts graduates of Helms College earn a median of $22,332 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,938. More information about a degree in general cooking & related culinary arts from Helms College

18
Nossi College Of Art crest
Nossi College Of Art
Nashville, TN

Nossi College Of Art landed the #18 spot for general cooking & related culinary arts this year. Nossi College Of Art is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. About 42% of students finish within six years. About 18 general cooking & related culinary arts degrees were awarded at Nossi College Of Art in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general cooking & related culinary arts degree recipients from Nossi College Of Art generally make around $24,497. Typical student debt for the program is $46,500. More information about a degree in general cooking & related culinary arts from Nossi College Of Art

ADBLOCK #173
View All General Cooking & Related Culinary Arts Rankings >

ADBLOCK #115

Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 39 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

ADBLOCK #116

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs
ADBLOCK #613

Compare Your School Options