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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Culinary Arts/Chef Training Schools in the Great Lakes Region

17 Colleges in the United States
1,087 Culinary Arts/Chef Training Degrees Awarded
$35,500 Avg Early-Career Salary

Culinary Arts/Chef Training degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 53 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best culinary arts/chef training schools.

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Best Schools for Culinary Arts/Chef Training in the Great Lakes Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall culinary arts/chef training education in the Great Lakes Region.

Top Schools in Culinary Arts/Chef Training

1

Fox Valley Technical College is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in culinary arts/chef training. Set in the suburb of Appleton, Fox Valley Technical College is a large public institution. Fox Valley Technical College awarded about 13 culinary arts/chef training degrees in the most recent data year. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Fox Valley Technical College earn a median of $34,736 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,234. More information about a degree in culinary arts/chef training from Fox Valley Technical College

2

Chippewa Valley Technical College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best culinary arts/chef training schools. Chippewa Valley Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Eau Claire. About 10 culinary arts/chef training degrees were awarded at Chippewa Valley Technical College in the most recent year. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Chippewa Valley Technical College earn a median of $45,531 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,234 to complete this degree. Read more about the culinary arts/chef training program at Chippewa Valley Technical College

3
College Of Dupage crest
College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL

College Of Dupage is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in culinary arts/chef training, ranking #3. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. College Of Dupage awarded about 20 culinary arts/chef training degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their culinary arts/chef training degree from College Of Dupage earn around $26,952 in the first couple years of their career. College Of Dupage graduates carry a median of $12,492 in student loans. More information about a degree in culinary arts/chef training from College Of Dupage

4

Students looking for a strong culinary arts/chef training program will find one at Cincinnati State Technical And Community College, which ranked #4. Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. About 80 culinary arts/chef training degrees were awarded at Cincinnati State Technical And Community College in the most recent year. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Cincinnati State Technical And Community College earn a median of $36,330 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $12,145. Get the full culinary arts/chef training details for Cincinnati State Technical And Community College

5

A rank of #5 makes National Louis University one of the top schools for culinary arts/chef training. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. National Louis University graduates 30% of students within six years. About 84 culinary arts/chef training degrees were awarded at National Louis University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from National Louis University generally make around $24,786. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete this degree. Get the full culinary arts/chef training details for National Louis University

6

Elgin Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best culinary arts/chef training schools. Located in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public university. There were roughly 29 culinary arts/chef training students who graduated with this degree at Elgin Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Elgin Community College generally make around $43,975. Typical student debt for the program is $7,727. More information about a degree in culinary arts/chef training from Elgin Community College

7

Cuyahoga Community College District came in at #7 for culinary arts/chef training this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public institution. There were roughly 93 culinary arts/chef training students who graduated with this degree at Cuyahoga Community College District in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Cuyahoga Community College District generally make around $39,394. Typical student debt for the program is $14,636. Get the full culinary arts/chef training details for Cuyahoga Community College District

8

Richland Community College came in at #8 for culinary arts/chef training this year. Richland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Decatur. There were roughly 22 culinary arts/chef training students who graduated with this degree at Richland Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Richland Community College generally make around $46,233. Students borrow a median of $9,562 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in culinary arts/chef training from Richland Community College

9

Baker College Of Flint came in at #9 for culinary arts/chef training this year. Located in the town of Owosso, Baker College Of Flint is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 30% of students finish within six years. About 19 culinary arts/chef training degrees were awarded at Baker College Of Flint in the most recent year. Students who receive their culinary arts/chef training degree from Baker College Of Flint earn around $25,204 in the first couple years of their career. Baker College Of Flint graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. See the full culinary arts/chef training program report for Baker College Of Flint

10

Joliet Junior College came in at #10 for culinary arts/chef training this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Joliet. There were roughly 36 culinary arts/chef training students who graduated with this degree at Joliet Junior College in the most recent data year. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $28,252 early in their careers. Joliet Junior College graduates carry a median of $16,375 in student loans. More information about a degree in culinary arts/chef training from Joliet Junior College

11

Milwaukee Area Technical College landed the #11 spot for culinary arts/chef training this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Milwaukee. There were roughly 19 culinary arts/chef training students who graduated with this degree at Milwaukee Area Technical College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the culinary arts/chef training program make about $25,304 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,386. Get the full culinary arts/chef training details for Milwaukee Area Technical College

12

Grand Rapids Community College came in at #12 for culinary arts/chef training this year. Grand Rapids Community College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Rapids. There were roughly 34 culinary arts/chef training students who graduated with this degree at Grand Rapids Community College in the most recent data year. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Grand Rapids Community College earn a median of $26,052 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,625 to complete this degree. See the full culinary arts/chef training program report for Grand Rapids Community College

13

Northeast Wisconsin Technical College came in at #13 for culinary arts/chef training this year. Located in the city of Green Bay, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public university. Northeast Wisconsin Technical College awarded about 13 culinary arts/chef training degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their culinary arts/chef training degree from Northeast Wisconsin Technical College earn around $42,016 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,997 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in culinary arts/chef training from Northeast Wisconsin Technical College

14
Illinois Central College crest
Illinois Central College
East Peoria, IL

Illinois Central College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best culinary arts/chef training schools. Set in the suburb of East Peoria, Illinois Central College is a large public institution. Illinois Central 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 Illinois Central College generally make around $53,190. Illinois Central College graduates carry a median of $12,222 in student loans. More information about a degree in culinary arts/chef training from Illinois Central College

15

Gateway Technical College landed the #15 spot for culinary arts/chef training this year. Located in the city of Kenosha, Gateway Technical College is a large public university. Gateway Technical College awarded about 17 culinary arts/chef training degrees in the most recent data year. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Gateway Technical College earn a median of $42,410 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,829 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in culinary arts/chef training from Gateway Technical College

16
Lake Land College crest
Lake Land College
Mattoon, IL

Lake Land College landed the #16 spot for culinary arts/chef training this year. Located in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public university. About 178 culinary arts/chef training degrees were awarded at Lake Land College in the most recent year. Graduates of the culinary arts/chef training program make about $14,366 in their early career. Lake Land College graduates carry a median of $5,163 in student loans. Get the full culinary arts/chef training details for Lake Land College

17
Vincennes University crest
Vincennes University
Vincennes, IN

Vincennes University placed #17 among the best culinary arts/chef training schools. Located in the town of Vincennes, Vincennes University is a very large public university. About 3% of students finish within six years. Vincennes University awarded about 12 culinary arts/chef training degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the culinary arts/chef training program make about $45,976 in their early career. Vincennes University graduates carry a median of $14,506 in student loans. See the full culinary arts/chef training program report for Vincennes University

18

Northwestern Michigan College landed the #18 spot for culinary arts/chef training this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Traverse City. Northwestern Michigan College graduates 53% of students within six years. Northwestern Michigan College awarded about 11 culinary arts/chef training degrees in the most recent data year. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Northwestern Michigan College earn a median of $26,586 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,199. See the full culinary arts/chef training program report for Northwestern Michigan College

19

Sinclair Community College landed the #19 spot for culinary arts/chef training this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Dayton. There were roughly 16 culinary arts/chef training students who graduated with this degree at Sinclair Community College in the most recent data year. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $28,037 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,834. More information about a degree in culinary arts/chef training from Sinclair Community College

20

College Of Lake County earned the #20 position for culinary arts/chef training this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Grayslake. There were roughly 33 culinary arts/chef training students who graduated with this degree at College Of Lake County in the most recent data year. Students who receive their culinary arts/chef training degree from College Of Lake County earn around $50,314 in the first couple years of their career. College Of Lake County graduates carry a median of $9,785 in student loans. Get the full culinary arts/chef training details for College Of Lake County

21

Schoolcraft College earned the #21 position for culinary arts/chef training this year. Located in the city of Livonia, Schoolcraft College is a large public university. About 52 culinary arts/chef training degrees were awarded at Schoolcraft College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Schoolcraft College generally make around $27,248. Students borrow a median of $15,750 to complete this degree. Read more about the culinary arts/chef training program at Schoolcraft College

22

Blackhawk Technical College earned the #22 position for culinary arts/chef training this year. Located in the suburb of Janesville, Blackhawk Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Blackhawk Technical College awarded about 10 culinary arts/chef training degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Blackhawk Technical College generally make around $44,256. Students borrow a median of $13,715 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in culinary arts/chef training from Blackhawk Technical College

23

Kalamazoo Valley Community College earned the #23 position for culinary arts/chef training this year. Set in the suburb of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 14 culinary arts/chef training students who graduated with this degree at Kalamazoo Valley Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their culinary arts/chef training degree from Kalamazoo Valley Community College earn around $26,843 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,382 to complete this degree. See the full culinary arts/chef training program report for Kalamazoo Valley Community College

24

Columbus State Community College came in at #24 for culinary arts/chef training this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbus. There were roughly 12 culinary arts/chef training students who graduated with this degree at Columbus State Community College in the most recent data year. Columbus State Community College graduates carry a median of $9,041 in student loans. More information about a degree in culinary arts/chef training from Columbus State Community College

25
Triton College crest
Triton College
River Grove, IL

Triton College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best culinary arts/chef training schools. Set in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public institution. There were roughly 16 culinary arts/chef training students who graduated with this degree at Triton College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the culinary arts/chef training program make about $43,278 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $12,994 to complete this degree. Get the full culinary arts/chef training details for Triton College

Rest of the Top 33 Culinary Arts/Chef Training Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s culinary arts/chef training ranking:

26
Kaskaskia College crest
Kaskaskia College
Centralia, IL
27
28
Oakland Community College crest
Oakland Community College
Auburn Hills, MI
29
Stark State College crest
Stark State College
North Canton, OH
30
31
32
33

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 53 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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