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2026 Best Value Culinary Arts/Chef Training Schools in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in culinary arts/chef training, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Culinary Arts/Chef Training Schools
For return on investment in culinary arts/chef training, no school beat Lake Land College this year. Located in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,415, with out-of-state students paying around $14,301. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates carry a median of $5,163 in student loans. Early-career culinary arts/chef training graduates make about $14,366. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Triton College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in culinary arts/chef training, landing the #2 spot this year. Triton College is a large public school located in the suburb of River Grove. In-state tuition and fees average $5,070, with out-of-state students paying around $15,330. Students borrow a median of $12,994 to complete the culinary arts/chef training program here. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Triton College earn a median of $43,278 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,994 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Lincoln Land Community College one of the best values for culinary arts/chef training. Lincoln Land Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $3,744, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Students borrow a median of $11,272 to complete the culinary arts/chef training program here. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Lincoln Land Community College earn a median of $43,834 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,272 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in culinary arts/chef training will find it at Richland Community College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Decatur, Richland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. 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. Early-career culinary arts/chef training graduates make about $46,233. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in culinary arts/chef training, landing the #5 spot this year. City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Typical student debt for culinary arts/chef training graduates is $7,986. Early-career culinary arts/chef training graduates make about $19,447. That is a strong return on a $7,986 median debt.
ADBLOCK #101
Joliet Junior College came in at #6 for value in culinary arts/chef training this year. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,530, while out-of-state students pay about $13,800. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates carry a median of $16,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $28,252. Set against $16,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Elgin Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value culinary arts/chef training schools. Elgin Community College is a large public school located in the city of Elgin. In-state tuition and fees average $3,252, while out-of-state students pay about $9,516. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates carry a median of $7,727 in student loans. Early-career culinary arts/chef training graduates make about $43,975. Set against $7,727 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Dupage earned the #8 position for value in culinary arts/chef training this year. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $12,750. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates carry a median of $12,492 in student loans. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $26,952. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Lake County ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value culinary arts/chef training schools. Set in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,788, while out-of-state students pay about $14,400. Typical student debt for culinary arts/chef training graduates is $9,785. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from College Of Lake County generally make around $50,314. That is a strong return on a $9,785 median debt.
Kaskaskia College landed the #10 spot for culinary arts/chef training value this year. Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Centralia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800, while out-of-state students pay about $12,570. Typical student debt for culinary arts/chef training graduates is $7,875. Early-career culinary arts/chef training graduates make about $45,658. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
[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.
