2026 Best Value Culinary Arts/Chef Training Schools

1

South Georgia Technical College
Americus, GA

For return on investment in culinary arts/chef training, no school beat South Georgia Technical College this year. Located in the town of Americus, South Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,992, compared with $7,202 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for culinary arts/chef training graduates is $10,423. Early-career culinary arts/chef training graduates make about $40,497. That is a strong return on a $10,423 median debt.

2

El Centro College
Dallas, TX

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at El Centro College earned it the #2 place for culinary arts/chef training. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates carry a median of $9,218 in student loans. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $31,127. That is a strong return on a $9,218 median debt.

3

Suffolk County Community College
Selden, NY

Suffolk County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in culinary arts/chef training, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for culinary arts/chef training graduates is $11,246. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $35,667. Set against $11,246 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Clover Park Technical College
Lakewood, WA

Clover Park Technical College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value culinary arts/chef training schools. Located in the city of Lakewood, Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,634. Typical student debt for culinary arts/chef training graduates is $15,154. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Clover Park Technical College earn a median of $42,209 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Pensacola State College
Pensacola, FL

Pensacola State College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value culinary arts/chef training schools. Set in the city of Pensacola, Pensacola State College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,361, compared with $9,463 for out-of-state students. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Early-career culinary arts/chef training graduates make about $45,811. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

6

Wilkes Community College
Wilkesboro, NC

Wilkes Community College placed #6 among the best values for culinary arts/chef training. Located in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,572 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,716. Students borrow a median of $9,125 to complete the culinary arts/chef training program here. Early-career culinary arts/chef training graduates make about $36,341. That is a strong return on a $9,125 median debt.

7

Metropolitan Community College Area
Omaha, NE

Metropolitan Community College Area landed the #7 spot for culinary arts/chef training value this year. Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public school located in the city of Omaha. Students from in state pay about $3,375 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,950 for out-of-state students. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates carry a median of $12,799 in student loans. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Metropolitan Community College Area earn a median of $45,583 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,799 median debt.

8

Fayetteville Technical Community College
Fayetteville, NC

Fayetteville Technical Community College came in at #8 for value in culinary arts/chef training this year. Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,628, while out-of-state students pay about $8,772. Typical student debt for culinary arts/chef training graduates is $16,909. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Fayetteville Technical Community College earn a median of $40,584 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Florida State College At Jacksonville
Jacksonville, FL

Florida State College At Jacksonville came in at #9 for value in culinary arts/chef training this year. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. In-state tuition and fees average $2,657, while out-of-state students pay about $9,631. Students borrow a median of $19,139 to complete the culinary arts/chef training program here. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $46,748. That is a strong return on a $19,139 median debt.

10

Central Piedmont Community College
Charlotte, NC

Central Piedmont Community College earned the #10 position for value in culinary arts/chef training this year. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,792, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Typical student debt for culinary arts/chef training graduates is $11,861. Early-career culinary arts/chef training graduates make about $27,127. That is a strong return on a $11,861 median debt.

11

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College
Valdosta, GA

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College landed the #11 spot for culinary arts/chef training value this year. Located in the rural area of Valdosta, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,480, with out-of-state students paying around $6,048. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates carry a median of $10,864 in student loans. Early-career culinary arts/chef training graduates make about $40,452. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

Trident Technical College
Charleston, SC

Trident Technical College placed #12 among the best values for culinary arts/chef training. Located in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,546, compared with $8,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the culinary arts/chef training program here. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Trident Technical College generally make around $50,166. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

Lake Land College
Mattoon, IL

Lake Land College landed the #13 spot for culinary arts/chef training value this year. Located in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,415 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,301. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates carry a median of $5,163 in student loans. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Lake Land College generally make around $14,366. Set against $5,163 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

Georgia Northwestern Technical College
Rome, GA

Georgia Northwestern Technical College placed #14 among the best values for culinary arts/chef training. Located in the city of Rome, Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,300, while out-of-state students pay about $5,868. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates carry a median of $8,492 in student loans. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Georgia Northwestern Technical College generally make around $41,229. That is a strong return on a $8,492 median debt.

15

Durham Technical Community College
Durham, NC

Durham Technical Community College placed #15 among the best values for culinary arts/chef training. Located in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,240, while out-of-state students pay about $7,531. Typical student debt for culinary arts/chef training graduates is $20,408. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Durham Technical Community College earn a median of $46,293 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

16

Kalamazoo Valley Community College
Kalamazoo, MI

Kalamazoo Valley Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value culinary arts/chef training schools. Located in the suburb of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,144, while out-of-state students pay about $9,094. Students borrow a median of $14,382 to complete the culinary arts/chef training program here. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Kalamazoo Valley Community College earn a median of $26,843 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,382 median debt.

17

Alvin Community College
Alvin, TX

Alvin Community College landed the #17 spot for culinary arts/chef training value this year. Located in the suburb of Alvin, Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,906, while out-of-state students pay about $4,402. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates carry a median of $8,600 in student loans. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Alvin Community College earn a median of $55,057 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

18

Cuyahoga Community College District
Cleveland, OH

Cuyahoga Community College District landed the #18 spot for culinary arts/chef training value this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,249 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,249. Students borrow a median of $14,636 to complete the culinary arts/chef training program here. Early-career culinary arts/chef training graduates make about $39,394. Set against $14,636 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19

Gulf Coast State College
Panama City, FL

Gulf Coast State College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value culinary arts/chef training schools. Located in the city of Panama City, Gulf Coast State College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,370, compared with $8,635 for out-of-state students. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates carry a median of $8,286 in student loans. Early-career culinary arts/chef training graduates make about $49,086. Set against $8,286 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

20

Central New Mexico Community College
Albuquerque, NM

Central New Mexico Community College placed #20 among the best values for culinary arts/chef training. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,060, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for culinary arts/chef training graduates is $10,112. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $23,139. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

21

West Georgia Technical College
Waco, GA

West Georgia Technical College came in at #21 for value in culinary arts/chef training this year. Set in the rural area of Waco, West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,410, while out-of-state students pay about $5,978. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates carry a median of $12,651 in student loans. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from West Georgia Technical College generally make around $39,922. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

22

Southern Crescent Technical College
Griffin, GA

Southern Crescent Technical College earned the #22 position for value in culinary arts/chef training this year. Located in the town of Griffin, Southern Crescent Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,516, while out-of-state students pay about $6,084. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates carry a median of $17,619 in student loans. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Southern Crescent Technical College earn a median of $45,062 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,619 median debt.

23

South Texas College
McAllen, TX

South Texas College earned the #23 position for value in culinary arts/chef training this year. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates carry a median of $6,868 in student loans. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $24,084 early in their careers. Set against $6,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

24

Atlanta Technical College
Atlanta, GA

Atlanta Technical College landed the #24 spot for culinary arts/chef training value this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Atlanta Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,382 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,950 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for culinary arts/chef training graduates is $17,655. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Atlanta Technical College earn a median of $35,441 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,655 median debt.

25

Henry Ford Community College
Dearborn, MI

Henry Ford Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value culinary arts/chef training schools. Located in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,568 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,816. Students borrow a median of $19,144 to complete the culinary arts/chef training program here. Early-career culinary arts/chef training graduates make about $36,247. Set against $19,144 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.