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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 Southeast Region

16 Colleges in the United States
3,112 Culinary Arts/Chef Training Degrees Awarded
$35,372 Avg Early-Career Salary

Culinary Arts/Chef Training is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 138 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 Southeast Region

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

Top Schools in Culinary Arts/Chef Training

1

No school ranked higher than Miami Dade College this year for culinary arts/chef training. Located in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public university. About 64 culinary arts/chef training degrees were awarded at Miami Dade College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Miami Dade College generally make around $31,101. Miami Dade College graduates carry a median of $10,882 in student loans. See the full culinary arts/chef training program report for Miami Dade College

2

A rank of #2 makes South Georgia Technical College one of the top schools for culinary arts/chef training. South Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Americus. There were roughly 20 culinary arts/chef training students who graduated with this degree at South Georgia Technical College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from South Georgia Technical College generally make around $40,497. Students borrow a median of $10,423 to complete this degree. Get the full culinary arts/chef training details for South Georgia Technical College

3

Indian River State College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in culinary arts/chef training, ranking #3. Indian River State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fort Pierce. Indian River State College awarded about 27 culinary arts/chef training degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the culinary arts/chef training program make about $44,082 in their early career. Indian River State College graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Get the full culinary arts/chef training details for Indian River State College

4

Southern Crescent Technical College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in culinary arts/chef training, ranking #4. Located in the town of Griffin, Southern Crescent Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Southern Crescent Technical College awarded about 16 culinary arts/chef training degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the culinary arts/chef training program make about $45,062 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,619 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in culinary arts/chef training from Southern Crescent Technical College

5

Johnson And Wales University Charlotte is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in culinary arts/chef training, ranking #5. Johnson And Wales University Charlotte is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Charlotte. 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. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Johnson And Wales University Charlotte generally make around $30,145. 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

6

Fayetteville Technical Community College placed #6 among the best culinary arts/chef training schools. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public university. Fayetteville Technical Community College awarded about 114 culinary arts/chef training degrees in the most recent data year. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Fayetteville Technical Community College earn a median of $40,584 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,909 to complete this degree. Get the full culinary arts/chef training details for Fayetteville Technical Community College

7

Northwest Arkansas Community College came in at #7 for culinary arts/chef training this year. Set in the city of Bentonville, Northwest Arkansas Community College is a large public institution. About 46 culinary arts/chef training degrees were awarded at Northwest Arkansas Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the culinary arts/chef training program make about $26,011 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the culinary arts/chef training program at Northwest Arkansas Community College

8

Central Piedmont Community College came in at #8 for culinary arts/chef training this year. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Central Piedmont Community College awarded about 284 culinary arts/chef training degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the culinary arts/chef training program make about $27,127 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $11,861 to complete this degree. See the full culinary arts/chef training program report for Central Piedmont Community College

9

Pensacola State College came in at #9 for culinary arts/chef training this year. Located in the city of Pensacola, Pensacola State College is a large public university. About 33 culinary arts/chef training degrees were awarded at Pensacola State College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Pensacola State College generally make around $45,811. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in culinary arts/chef training from Pensacola State College

10

Florida State College At Jacksonville ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best culinary arts/chef training schools. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public university. Florida State College At Jacksonville awarded about 21 culinary arts/chef training degrees in the most recent data year. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Florida State College At Jacksonville earn a median of $46,748 early in their careers. Florida State College At Jacksonville graduates carry a median of $19,139 in student loans. Get the full culinary arts/chef training details for Florida State College At Jacksonville

11
Gwinnett Technical College crest
Gwinnett Technical College
Lawrenceville, GA

Gwinnett Technical College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best culinary arts/chef training schools. Located in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Gwinnett Technical College is a large public university. There were roughly 15 culinary arts/chef training students who graduated with this degree at Gwinnett Technical College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the culinary arts/chef training program make about $39,288 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,048. Get the full culinary arts/chef training details for Gwinnett Technical College

12

Nicholls State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best culinary arts/chef training schools. Nicholls State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Thibodaux. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. There were roughly 37 culinary arts/chef training students who graduated with this degree at Nicholls State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their culinary arts/chef training degree from Nicholls State University earn around $23,038 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,063. More information about a degree in culinary arts/chef training from Nicholls State University

13
Valencia College crest
Valencia College
Orlando, FL

Valencia College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best culinary arts/chef training schools. Set in the city of Orlando, Valencia College is a very large public institution. Valencia College awarded about 91 culinary arts/chef training degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Valencia College generally make around $25,227. Typical student debt for the program is $17,468. See the full culinary arts/chef training program report for Valencia College

14

Hillsborough Community College placed #14 among the best culinary arts/chef training schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Tampa. There were roughly 35 culinary arts/chef training students who graduated with this degree at Hillsborough Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their culinary arts/chef training degree from Hillsborough Community College earn around $29,451 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,657 to complete this degree. Read more about the culinary arts/chef training program at Hillsborough Community College

15

Wilkes Community College placed #15 among the best culinary arts/chef training schools. Located in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public university. About 22 culinary arts/chef training degrees were awarded at Wilkes Community College in the most recent year. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Wilkes Community College earn a median of $36,341 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $9,125 to complete this degree. Get the full culinary arts/chef training details for Wilkes Community College

16

Wake Technical Community College landed the #16 spot for culinary arts/chef training this year. Located in the suburb of Raleigh, Wake Technical Community College is a very large public university. About 31 culinary arts/chef training degrees were awarded at Wake Technical Community College in the most recent year. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Wake Technical Community College earn a median of $38,673 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,226 to complete this degree. Read more about the culinary arts/chef training program at Wake Technical Community College

17

Columbus Technical College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best culinary arts/chef training schools. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. There were roughly 16 culinary arts/chef training students who graduated with this degree at Columbus Technical College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their culinary arts/chef training degree from Columbus Technical College earn around $37,936 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,845. More information about a degree in culinary arts/chef training from Columbus Technical College

18
Ecpi University crest
Ecpi University
Virginia Beach, VA

Ecpi University earned the #18 position for culinary arts/chef training this year. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Ecpi University is a large private for-profit institution. Roughly 28% of students complete a degree within six years here. Ecpi University awarded about 75 culinary arts/chef training degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Ecpi University generally make around $21,480. Ecpi University graduates carry a median of $13,744 in student loans. Read more about the culinary arts/chef training program at Ecpi University

19

South Louisiana Community College landed the #19 spot for culinary arts/chef training this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Lafayette. About 101 culinary arts/chef training degrees were awarded at South Louisiana Community College in the most recent year. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of South Louisiana Community College earn a median of $38,854 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $12,435. More information about a degree in culinary arts/chef training from South Louisiana Community College

20

Guilford Technical Community College placed #20 among the best culinary arts/chef training schools. Guilford Technical Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Jamestown. Guilford Technical Community College awarded about 84 culinary arts/chef training degrees in the most recent data year. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Guilford Technical Community College earn a median of $14,813 early in their careers. Guilford Technical Community College graduates carry a median of $32,169 in student loans. More information about a degree in culinary arts/chef training from Guilford Technical Community College

21
Sullivan University crest
Sullivan University
Louisville, KY

Sullivan University came in at #21 for culinary arts/chef training this year. Sullivan University is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the city of Louisville. There were roughly 51 culinary arts/chef training students who graduated with this degree at Sullivan University in the most recent data year. Culinary Arts/chef Training graduates of Sullivan University earn a median of $24,292 early in their careers. Sullivan University graduates carry a median of $15,265 in student loans. Get the full culinary arts/chef training details for Sullivan University

22

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best culinary arts/chef training schools. Set in the rural area of Valdosta, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 12 culinary arts/chef training students who graduated with this degree at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the culinary arts/chef training program make about $40,452 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,864. Get the full culinary arts/chef training details for Wiregrass Georgia Technical College

23

Baton Rouge Community College earned the #23 position for culinary arts/chef training this year. This large public university is located in the city of Baton Rouge. About 21 culinary arts/chef training degrees were awarded at Baton Rouge Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Baton Rouge Community College generally make around $43,394. Typical student debt for the program is $17,624. More information about a degree in culinary arts/chef training from Baton Rouge Community College

24

George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville came in at #24 for culinary arts/chef training this year. George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Hanceville. About 17 culinary arts/chef training degrees were awarded at George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville generally make around $40,017. Students borrow a median of $13,146 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in culinary arts/chef training from George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville

25

Georgia Northwestern Technical College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best culinary arts/chef training schools. Located in the city of Rome, Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Georgia Northwestern Technical College awarded about 18 culinary arts/chef training degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts/chef training degree recipients from Georgia Northwestern Technical College generally make around $41,229. Typical student debt for the program is $8,492. Get the full culinary arts/chef training details for Georgia Northwestern Technical College

Rest of the Top 50 Culinary Arts/Chef Training Schools

These schools also placed among the best for culinary arts/chef training this year:

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Gulf Coast State College crest
Gulf Coast State College
Panama City, FL
30
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38
39
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43
44
45
46
Pulaski Technical College crest
Pulaski Technical College
North Little Rock, AR
47
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50

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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 · 138 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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