Culinary Arts/Chef Training degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 390 schools to find the best for culinary arts/chef training students.
Leading the list is Suffolk County Community College, our #1 school for culinary arts/chef training. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. Suffolk County Community College awarded about 12 culinary arts/chef training degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their culinary arts/chef training degree from Suffolk County Community College earn around $35,667 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $11,246 to complete this degree.
Get the full culinary arts/chef training details for Suffolk County Community College
Fox Valley Technical College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in culinary arts/chef training, ranking #2. This large public university is located in the suburb of Appleton. Fox Valley Technical 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 Fox Valley Technical College generally make around $34,736. Fox Valley Technical College graduates carry a median of $14,234 in student loans.
Read more about the culinary arts/chef training program at Fox Valley Technical College
Capital Community College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in culinary arts/chef training, landing the #3 spot this year. Capital Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New Britain. Capital Community College awarded about 19 culinary arts/chef training degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Capital Community College generally make around $43,086. Typical student debt for the program is $12,059.
Get the full culinary arts/chef training details for Capital Community College
A rank of #4 makes Culinary Institute Of America one of the top schools for culinary arts/chef training. Culinary Institute Of America is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hyde Park. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. Culinary Institute Of America awarded about 423 culinary arts/chef training degrees in the most recent data year. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Culinary Institute Of America earn a median of $28,049 early in their careers. Culinary Institute Of America graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans.
Read more about the culinary arts/chef training program at Culinary Institute Of America
Austin Community College District came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best culinary arts/chef training schools. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. There were roughly 15 culinary arts/chef training students who graduated with this degree at Austin Community College District in the most recent data year. Graduates of the culinary arts/chef training program make about $44,895 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,519 to complete this degree.
Get the full culinary arts/chef training details for Austin Community College District
Salt Lake Community College landed the #6 spot for culinary arts/chef training this year. Salt Lake Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. About 16 culinary arts/chef training degrees were awarded at Salt Lake Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the culinary arts/chef training program make about $31,788 in their early career. 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
Johnson County Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best culinary arts/chef training schools. 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.
Read more about the culinary arts/chef training program at Johnson County Community College
Delaware Technical Community College Terry came in at #8 for culinary arts/chef training this year. Located in the city of Dover, Delaware Technical Community College Terry is a large public university. Delaware Technical Community College Terry awarded about 21 culinary arts/chef training degrees in the most recent data 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. Delaware Technical Community College Terry graduates carry a median of $11,154 in student loans.
See the full culinary arts/chef training program report for Delaware Technical Community College Terry
Nassau Community College landed the #9 spot for culinary arts/chef training this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Garden City. About 11 culinary arts/chef training degrees were awarded at Nassau Community College in the most recent 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.
More information about a degree in culinary arts/chef training from Nassau Community College
Miami Dade College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best culinary arts/chef training schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Miami. There were roughly 64 culinary arts/chef training students who graduated with this degree at Miami Dade College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their culinary arts/chef training degree from Miami Dade College earn around $31,101 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $10,882 to complete this degree.
Get the full culinary arts/chef training details for Miami Dade College
Des Moines Area Community College placed #11 among the best culinary arts/chef training schools. Set in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 22 culinary arts/chef training students who graduated with this degree at Des Moines Area Community College 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. Typical student debt for the program is $11,167.
More information about a degree in culinary arts/chef training from Des Moines Area Community College
Spokane Community College placed #12 among the best culinary arts/chef training schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Spokane. There were roughly 20 culinary arts/chef training students who graduated with this degree at Spokane Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their culinary arts/chef training degree from Spokane Community College earn around $23,529 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,486 to complete this degree.
See the full culinary arts/chef training program report for Spokane Community College
Johnson And Wales University Providence landed the #13 spot for culinary arts/chef training this year. Johnson And Wales University Providence is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. Johnson And Wales University Providence graduates 50% of students within six years. Johnson And Wales University Providence awarded about 94 culinary arts/chef training degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Johnson And Wales University Providence generally make around $27,514. Johnson And Wales University Providence graduates carry a median of $14,745 in student loans.
More information about a degree in culinary arts/chef training from Johnson And Wales University Providence
Brookdale Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best culinary arts/chef training schools. Brookdale Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lincroft. There were roughly 13 culinary arts/chef training students who graduated with this degree at Brookdale Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Brookdale Community College generally make around $37,374. Students borrow a median of $12,651 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in culinary arts/chef training from Brookdale Community College
Metropolitan Community College Area ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best culinary arts/chef training schools. Set in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public institution. There were roughly 29 culinary arts/chef training students who graduated with this degree at Metropolitan Community College Area in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Area generally make around $45,583. Typical student debt for the program is $12,799.
Get the full culinary arts/chef training details for Metropolitan Community College Area
El Centro College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best culinary arts/chef training schools. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. El Centro College awarded about 27 culinary arts/chef training degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their culinary arts/chef training degree from El Centro College earn around $31,770 in the first couple years of their career. El Centro College graduates carry a median of $9,218 in student loans.
Read more about the culinary arts/chef training program at El Centro College
Renton Technical College came in at #17 for culinary arts/chef training this year. Set in the city of Renton, Renton Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Renton Technical College awarded about 14 culinary arts/chef training degrees 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.
Get the full culinary arts/chef training details for Renton Technical College
Utah Valley University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best culinary arts/chef training schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Orem. Utah Valley University graduates 40% of students within six years. There were roughly 41 culinary arts/chef training students who graduated with this degree at Utah Valley University in the most recent data year. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $27,056 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete this degree.
See the full culinary arts/chef training program report for Utah Valley University
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College earned the #19 position for culinary arts/chef training this year. This large public university is located in the city of Cincinnati. There were roughly 33 culinary arts/chef training students who graduated with this degree at Cincinnati State Technical And Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their culinary arts/chef training degree from Cincinnati State Technical And Community College earn around $36,330 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,145.
More information about a degree in culinary arts/chef training from Cincinnati State Technical And Community College
National Louis University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best culinary arts/chef training schools. Located in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 30% of students complete a degree within six years here. National Louis University awarded about 53 culinary arts/chef training degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the culinary arts/chef training program make about $24,786 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete this degree.
Get the full culinary arts/chef training details for National Louis University
Atlantic Cape Community College placed #21 among the best culinary arts/chef training schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the rural area of Mays Landing. Atlantic Cape Community College awarded about 26 culinary arts/chef training degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Atlantic Cape Community College generally make around $31,639. Typical student debt for the program is $11,000.
See the full culinary arts/chef training program report for Atlantic Cape Community College
Johnson And Wales University Charlotte landed the #22 spot for culinary arts/chef training this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, Johnson And Wales University Charlotte is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 34% of students complete a degree within six years here. Johnson And Wales University Charlotte awarded about 87 culinary arts/chef training degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their culinary arts/chef training degree from Johnson And Wales University Charlotte earn around $27,514 in the first couple years of their career. Johnson And Wales University Charlotte graduates carry a median of $14,745 in student loans.
Read more about the culinary arts/chef training program at Johnson And Wales University Charlotte
Central Piedmont Community College came in at #23 for culinary arts/chef training this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Charlotte. There were roughly 23 culinary arts/chef training students who graduated with this degree at Central Piedmont Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $27,127. Students borrow a median of $11,861 to complete this degree.
Get the full culinary arts/chef training details for Central Piedmont Community College
Grand Rapids Community College landed the #24 spot for culinary arts/chef training this year. Grand Rapids Community College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Rapids. About 25 culinary arts/chef training degrees were awarded at Grand Rapids Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Grand Rapids Community College generally make around $24,473. Grand Rapids Community College graduates carry a median of $15,125 in student loans.
More information about a degree in culinary arts/chef training from Grand Rapids Community College
Cuyahoga Community College District came in at #25 for culinary arts/chef training this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public university. About 12 culinary arts/chef training degrees were awarded at Cuyahoga Community College District in the most recent year. Students who receive their culinary arts/chef training degree from Cuyahoga Community College District earn around $39,394 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,636.
Read more about the culinary arts/chef training program at Cuyahoga Community College District
Rest of the Top 50 Culinary Arts/Chef Training Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong culinary arts/chef training education:
This ranking is produced 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).
