by our College Data Analytics Team
[Culinary Arts](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/culinary-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong culinary arts education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 28 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for culinary arts students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the culinary arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Suffolk County Community College, our #1 best value for culinary arts in New York. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,630, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $11,246 in student loans. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $35,667. That is a strong return on a $11,246 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in culinary arts will find it at Cuny Kingsborough Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,252, compared with $8,132 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for culinary arts graduates is $7,858. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $35,562. That is a strong return on a $7,858 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Nassau Community College one of the best values for culinary arts. Located in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,330 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,130. Students borrow a median of $11,850 to complete the culinary arts program here. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $38,734. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Schenectady County Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value culinary arts schools. Schenectady County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Schenectady. Students from in state pay about $6,190 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,974. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,902.
Niagara County Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value culinary arts schools. Set in the rural area of Sanborn, Niagara County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,894, with out-of-state students paying around $12,030. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the culinary arts program here. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Niagara County Community College generally make around $26,514. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Erie Community College came in at #6 for value in culinary arts this year. Set in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,100, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Students borrow a median of $6,439 to complete the culinary arts program here. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Erie Community College generally make around $15,565. Set against $6,439 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Monroe Community College placed #7 among the best values for culinary arts. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,006, with out-of-state students paying around $11,056. Typical student debt for culinary arts graduates is $12,921. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $38,757. Set against $12,921 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Adirondack Community College earned the #8 position for value in culinary arts this year. Located in the suburb of Queensbury, Adirondack Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,844, compared with $9,616 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,358 to complete the culinary arts program here. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Adirondack Community College generally make around $31,590. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Monroe College Main Campus ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value culinary arts schools. Located in the city of Bronx, Monroe College Main Campus is a large private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,464. Typical student debt for culinary arts graduates is $13,364. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $18,256. Set against $13,364 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College Of Technology At Alfred landed the #10 spot for culinary arts value this year. Set in the rural area of Alfred, Suny College Of Technology At Alfred is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,892 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,837. Typical student debt for culinary arts graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Suny College Of Technology At Alfred generally make around $26,598. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Suny College Of Technology At Alfred admits about 76% of applicants.
Finger Lakes Community College landed the #11 spot for culinary arts value this year. Located in the rural area of Canandaigua, Finger Lakes Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,258, with out-of-state students paying around $8,442. Students borrow a median of $16,736 to complete the culinary arts program here. Culinary Arts graduates of Finger Lakes Community College earn a median of $40,467 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,736 median debt.
Suny College Of Technology At Delhi earned the #12 position for value in culinary arts this year. Located in the rural area of Delhi, Suny College Of Technology At Delhi is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,772, while out-of-state students pay about $12,762. Students borrow a median of $20,303 to complete the culinary arts program here. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $20,213. That is a strong return on a $20,303 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Culinary Institute Of America ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value culinary arts schools. Culinary Institute Of America is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hyde Park. In-state tuition and fees average $38,670. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Culinary Institute Of America generally make around $35,929. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Culinary Institute Of America admits about 91% of applicants.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.