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2026 Best Value Culinary Arts/Chef Training Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the culinary arts/chef training degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Culinary Arts/Chef Training Schools
Our analysis ranked Suffolk County Community College the best value for a degree in culinary arts/chef training in the United States. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Typical student debt for culinary arts/chef training graduates is $11,246. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $35,667 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,246 median debt.
Clover Park Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in culinary arts/chef training, landing the #2 spot this year. Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Lakewood. Students from in state pay about $6,634 in tuition and fees. 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.
Students looking for strong value in culinary arts/chef training will find it at Metropolitan Community College Area, which ranked #3. Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public school located in the city of Omaha. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,375, with out-of-state students paying around $4,950. Students borrow a median of $12,799 to complete the culinary arts/chef training program here. Early-career culinary arts/chef training graduates make about $45,583. That is a strong return on a $12,799 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at El Centro College earned it the #4 place for culinary arts/chef training. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Typical student debt for culinary arts/chef training graduates is $9,218. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $31,770 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Piedmont Community College earned it the #5 place for culinary arts/chef training. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,792, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Students borrow a median of $11,861 to complete the culinary arts/chef training program here. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $27,127 early in their careers. Set against $11,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
ADBLOCK #101
Florida State College At Jacksonville landed the #6 spot for culinary arts/chef training value this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,657, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for culinary arts/chef training graduates is $19,139. 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.
Trident Technical College landed the #7 spot for culinary arts/chef training value this year. Set in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,546, compared with $8,620 for out-of-state students. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career culinary arts/chef training graduates make about $50,166. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College landed the #8 spot for culinary arts/chef training value this year. Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Kalamazoo. Students from in state pay about $4,144 in tuition and fees, 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. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Kalamazoo Valley Community College generally make around $26,843. That is a strong return on a $14,382 median debt.
Pensacola State College placed #9 among the best values for culinary arts/chef training. Pensacola State College is a large public school located in the city of Pensacola. In-state tuition and fees average $2,361, with out-of-state students paying around $9,463. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the culinary arts/chef training program here. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Pensacola State College earn a median of $45,811 early in their careers. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fayetteville Technical Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value culinary arts/chef training schools. Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. In-state tuition and fees average $2,628, with out-of-state students paying around $8,772. Students borrow a median of $16,909 to complete the culinary arts/chef training program here. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Fayetteville Technical Community College earn a median of $40,584 early in their careers. Set against $16,909 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central New Mexico Community College landed the #11 spot for culinary arts/chef training value this year. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $23,139 early in their careers. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Texas College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value culinary arts/chef training schools. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Typical student debt for culinary arts/chef training graduates is $6,868. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $24,084. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuyahoga Community College District ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value culinary arts/chef training schools. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,249, while out-of-state students pay about $7,249. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates carry a median of $14,636 in student loans. Early-career culinary arts/chef training graduates make about $39,394. That is a strong return on a $14,636 median debt.
Renton Technical College landed the #14 spot for culinary arts/chef training value this year. Located in the city of Renton, Renton Technical College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,330, while out-of-state students pay about $7,768. Students borrow a median of $18,582 to complete the culinary arts/chef training program here. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Renton Technical College generally make around $80,411. That is a strong return on a $18,582 median debt.
Horry Georgetown Technical College came in at #15 for value in culinary arts/chef training this year. Set in the city of Conway, Horry Georgetown Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,518, while out-of-state students pay about $10,978. Typical student debt for culinary arts/chef training graduates is $19,500. Early-career culinary arts/chef training graduates make about $24,466. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Triton College landed the #16 spot for culinary arts/chef training value this year. Located in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,070, with out-of-state students paying around $15,330. Typical student debt for culinary arts/chef training graduates is $12,994. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Triton College generally make around $43,278. That is a strong return on a $12,994 median debt.
Nassau Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value culinary arts/chef training schools. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,330, compared with $12,130 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,850 to complete the culinary arts/chef training program here. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Nassau Community College earn a median of $38,734 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Henry Ford Community College earned the #18 position for value in culinary arts/chef training this year. Set in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,568, 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. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Henry Ford Community College generally make around $36,247. Set against $19,144 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bellingham Technical College earned the #19 position for value in culinary arts/chef training this year. Set in the city of Bellingham, Bellingham Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,431, compared with $5,809 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,748 ten years after entry.
Del Mar College earned the #20 position for value in culinary arts/chef training this year. Del Mar College is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,500, compared with $6,050 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for culinary arts/chef training graduates is $7,476. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Del Mar College generally make around $40,661. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Richland Community College earned the #21 position for value in culinary arts/chef training this year. Richland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Decatur. In-state tuition and fees average $4,680, compared with $17,070 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,562 to complete the culinary arts/chef training program here. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Richland Community College earn a median of $46,233 early in their careers. Set against $9,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Miami Dade College came in at #22 for value in culinary arts/chef training this year. Set in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,838, compared with $9,661 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for culinary arts/chef training graduates is $10,882. Early-career culinary arts/chef training graduates make about $31,101. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Schenectady County Community College placed #23 among the best values for culinary arts/chef training. Schenectady County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Schenectady. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,190, compared with $8,974 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,902 ten years after entry.
Oakland Community College came in at #24 for value in culinary arts/chef training this year. Located in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,120 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,560 for out-of-state students. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates carry a median of $15,865 in student loans. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Oakland Community College generally make around $43,205. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwestern Michigan College placed #25 among the best values for culinary arts/chef training. Located in the city of Traverse City, Northwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,860, compared with $13,476 for out-of-state students. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates carry a median of $14,199 in student loans. Early-career culinary arts/chef training graduates make about $26,586. Set against $14,199 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Culinary Arts/Chef Training Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for culinary arts/chef training this year:
Other Culinary Arts/Chef Training Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Culinary Arts/Chef Training rankings across degree levels:
[Culinary Arts/Chef Training](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/culinary-arts/culinary-arts-chef-training/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong culinary arts/chef training education at a price that pays off.
