Culinary Arts/Chef Training is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
College Factual analyzed 390 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best culinary arts/chef training schools.
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Choosing a Great Culinary Arts/Chef Training School
The culinary arts/chef training program you select can have a big impact on your future. That is why we built our Best Culinary Arts/Chef Training Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
Culinary Arts/Chef Training Rankings by Degree Level
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Culinary Arts/Chef Training Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
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Best Schools for Culinary Arts/Chef Training in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the culinary arts/chef training degrees they offer, see the list below.
No school ranked higher than Suffolk County Community College this year for culinary arts/chef training. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. About 13 culinary arts/chef training degrees were awarded at Suffolk County Community College in the most recent year. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $35,667 early in their careers. Suffolk County Community College graduates carry a median of $11,246 in student loans.
See the full culinary arts/chef training program report for Suffolk County Community College
Fox Valley Technical College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in culinary arts/chef training, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Appleton, Fox Valley Technical College is a large public university. There were roughly 13 culinary arts/chef training students who graduated with this degree at Fox Valley Technical College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the culinary arts/chef training program make about $34,736 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,234 to complete this degree.
See the full culinary arts/chef training program report for Fox Valley Technical College
A rank of #3 makes Culinary Institute Of America one of the top schools for culinary arts/chef training. Set in the suburb of Hyde Park, Culinary Institute Of America is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. Culinary Institute Of America awarded about 444 culinary arts/chef training degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their culinary arts/chef training degree from Culinary Institute Of America earn around $35,929 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree.
Read more about the culinary arts/chef training program at Culinary Institute Of America
Capital Community College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in culinary arts/chef training, ranking #4. Set in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 39 culinary arts/chef training students who graduated with this degree at Capital Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Capital Community College generally make around $43,086. Capital Community College graduates carry a median of $12,059 in student loans.
More information about a degree in culinary arts/chef training from Capital Community College
Students looking for a strong culinary arts/chef training program will find one at Johnson County Community College, which ranked #5. This very large public university is located in the city of Overland Park. Johnson County Community College awarded about 13 culinary arts/chef training degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Johnson County Community College generally make around $38,977. Johnson County Community College graduates carry a median of $13,532 in student loans.
More information about a degree in culinary arts/chef training from Johnson County Community College
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best culinary arts/chef training schools. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Indiana. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. About 38 culinary arts/chef training degrees were awarded at Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the culinary arts/chef training program make about $29,155 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000.
More information about a degree in culinary arts/chef training from Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus
Salt Lake Community College landed the #7 spot for culinary arts/chef training this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. Salt Lake Community College awarded about 16 culinary arts/chef training degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Salt Lake Community College generally make around $31,788. Students borrow a median of $10,855 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in culinary arts/chef training from Salt Lake Community College
Delaware Technical Community College Terry earned the #8 position for culinary arts/chef training this year. This large public university is located in the city of Dover. About 21 culinary arts/chef training degrees were awarded at Delaware Technical Community College Terry in the most recent year. Students who receive their culinary arts/chef training degree from Delaware Technical Community College Terry earn around $26,031 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $11,154 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in culinary arts/chef training from Delaware Technical Community College Terry
Nassau Community College placed #9 among the best culinary arts/chef training schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Garden City. Nassau Community College awarded about 11 culinary arts/chef training degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Nassau Community College generally make around $38,734. Students borrow a median of $11,850 to complete this degree.
See the full culinary arts/chef training program report for Nassau Community College
El Centro College placed #10 among the best culinary arts/chef training schools. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. About 113 culinary arts/chef training degrees were awarded at El Centro College in the most recent year. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $31,127 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,218.
See the full culinary arts/chef training program report for El Centro College
Chippewa Valley Technical College earned the #11 position for culinary arts/chef training this year. Chippewa Valley Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Eau Claire. There were roughly 10 culinary arts/chef training students who graduated with this degree at Chippewa Valley Technical College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Chippewa Valley Technical College generally make around $45,531. Chippewa Valley Technical College graduates carry a median of $14,234 in student loans.
Read more about the culinary arts/chef training program at Chippewa Valley Technical College
Des Moines Area Community College placed #12 among the best culinary arts/chef training schools. Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ankeny. Des Moines Area Community College awarded about 28 culinary arts/chef training degrees in the most recent data year. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Des Moines Area Community College earn a median of $26,913 early in their careers. Des Moines Area Community College graduates carry a median of $11,167 in student loans.
More information about a degree in culinary arts/chef training from Des Moines Area Community College
Miami Dade College landed the #13 spot for culinary arts/chef training this year. Miami Dade College is a very large public school located in the city of Miami. About 64 culinary arts/chef training degrees were awarded at Miami Dade College in the most recent year. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Miami Dade College earn a median of $31,101 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $10,882.
Get the full culinary arts/chef training details for Miami Dade College
Johnson And Wales University Providence ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best culinary arts/chef training schools. Johnson And Wales University Providence is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. Johnson And Wales University Providence awarded about 170 culinary arts/chef training degrees in the most recent data year. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Johnson And Wales University Providence earn a median of $30,145 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,873 to complete this degree.
See the full culinary arts/chef training program report for Johnson And Wales University Providence
Austin Community College District came in at #15 for culinary arts/chef training this year. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. Austin Community College District awarded about 27 culinary arts/chef training degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their culinary arts/chef training degree from Austin Community College District earn around $44,895 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,519 to complete this degree.
Read more about the culinary arts/chef training program at Austin Community College District
Spokane Community College landed the #16 spot for culinary arts/chef training this year. Set in the city of Spokane, Spokane Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 20 culinary arts/chef training degrees were awarded at Spokane Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the culinary arts/chef training program make about $23,529 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,486.
Read more about the culinary arts/chef training program at Spokane Community College
Brookdale Community College placed #17 among the best culinary arts/chef training schools. Brookdale Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lincroft. Brookdale Community College awarded about 14 culinary arts/chef training degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Brookdale Community College generally make around $37,374. Brookdale Community College graduates carry a median of $12,651 in student loans.
More information about a degree in culinary arts/chef training from Brookdale Community College
Lee College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best culinary arts/chef training schools. Set in the city of Baytown, Lee College is a large public institution. There were roughly 94 culinary arts/chef training students who graduated with this degree at Lee College in the most recent data year. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Lee College earn a median of $53,448 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,941 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in culinary arts/chef training from Lee College
Iowa Western Community College came in at #19 for culinary arts/chef training this year. Located in the suburb of Council Bluffs, Iowa Western Community College is a moderately-sized public university. About 12 culinary arts/chef training degrees were awarded at Iowa Western Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their culinary arts/chef training degree from Iowa Western Community College earn around $43,444 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,153 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in culinary arts/chef training from Iowa Western Community College
Holyoke Community College earned the #20 position for culinary arts/chef training this year. Holyoke Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Holyoke. There were roughly 39 culinary arts/chef training students who graduated with this degree at Holyoke Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the culinary arts/chef training program make about $43,423 in their early career. Holyoke Community College graduates carry a median of $9,763 in student loans.
More information about a degree in culinary arts/chef training from Holyoke Community College
Clover Park Technical College placed #21 among the best culinary arts/chef training schools. Located in the city of Lakewood, Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public university. There were roughly 30 culinary arts/chef training students who graduated with this degree at Clover Park Technical College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Clover Park Technical College generally make around $42,209. Students borrow a median of $15,154 to complete this degree.
See the full culinary arts/chef training program report for Clover Park Technical College
Hennepin Technical College came in at #22 for culinary arts/chef training this year. Located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, Hennepin Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. About 17 culinary arts/chef training degrees were awarded at Hennepin Technical College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Hennepin Technical College generally make around $52,059. Typical student debt for the program is $17,887.
More information about a degree in culinary arts/chef training from Hennepin Technical College
South Georgia Technical College came in at #23 for culinary arts/chef training this year. South Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Americus. About 20 culinary arts/chef training degrees were awarded at South Georgia Technical College in the most recent year. Graduates of the culinary arts/chef training program make about $40,497 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,423.
More information about a degree in culinary arts/chef training from South Georgia Technical College
Utah Valley University landed the #24 spot for culinary arts/chef training this year. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 40%. Utah Valley University awarded about 41 culinary arts/chef training degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the culinary arts/chef training program make about $27,056 in their early career. Utah Valley University graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans.
Get the full culinary arts/chef training details for Utah Valley University
Renton Technical College placed #25 among the best culinary arts/chef training schools. Located in the city of Renton, Renton Technical College is a mid-sized public university. There were roughly 24 culinary arts/chef training students who graduated with this degree at Renton Technical College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their culinary arts/chef training degree from Renton Technical College earn around $80,411 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,582 to complete this degree.
See the full culinary arts/chef training program report for Renton Technical College
Rest of the Top 50 Culinary Arts/Chef Training Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong culinary arts/chef training education:
The ranking above is published 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 · 390 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
