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2026 Best Value Culinary Arts Schools in Florida

5 Colleges in the United States
$12,193 Avg Student Debt
$36,775 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Culinary Arts Badge [Culinary Arts](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/culinary-arts/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

College Factual analyzed 51 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value culinary arts schools.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Culinary Arts Schools in Florida

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in culinary arts, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Culinary Arts Schools

1

Pensacola State College earned the #1 spot for value among culinary arts schools in Florida. Pensacola State College is a large public school located in the city of Pensacola. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,361, while out-of-state students pay about $9,463. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the culinary arts program here. Culinary Arts graduates of Pensacola State College earn a median of $45,811 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Florida State College At Jacksonville is a great value for students pursuing a degree in culinary arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Students from in state pay about $2,657 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $19,139 in student loans. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $46,748. That is a strong return on a $19,139 median debt.

3
Gulf Coast State College crest
Gulf Coast State College
Panama City, FL

Gulf Coast State College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value culinary arts schools. Located in the city of Panama City, Gulf Coast State College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,370, compared with $8,635 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,286 to complete the culinary arts program here. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $49,086. That is a strong return on a $8,286 median debt.

4

Indian River State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in culinary arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,764, while out-of-state students pay about $10,201. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Culinary Arts graduates of Indian River State College earn a median of $44,082 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt.

5

A rank of #5 makes Hillsborough Community College one of the best values for culinary arts. Located in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,491 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,088. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $19,657 in student loans. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $29,451. Set against $19,657 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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6

Miami Dade College came in at #6 for value in culinary arts this year. Set in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,838, while out-of-state students pay about $9,661. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $10,882 in student loans. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Miami Dade College generally make around $31,101. That is a strong return on a $10,882 median debt.

7

Northwest Florida State College came in at #7 for value in culinary arts this year. Northwest Florida State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Niceville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,583, compared with $10,612 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,566 to complete the culinary arts program here. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Northwest Florida State College generally make around $48,463. That is a strong return on a $11,566 median debt.

8
Daytona State College crest
Daytona State College
Daytona Beach, FL

Daytona State College landed the #8 spot for culinary arts value this year. Set in the city of Daytona Beach, Daytona State College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,106, with out-of-state students paying around $11,994. Typical student debt for culinary arts graduates is $12,557. Culinary Arts graduates of Daytona State College earn a median of $43,320 early in their careers. Set against $12,557 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Marion Technical College Ocala earned the #9 position for value in culinary arts this year. Marion Technical College Ocala is a small public school located in the city of Ocala. Typical student debt for culinary arts graduates is $8,750. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Marion Technical College Ocala generally make around $31,100. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt.

10

Manatee Technical College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value culinary arts schools. Located in the suburb of Bradenton, Manatee Technical College is a small public university. Students borrow a median of $9,726 to complete the culinary arts program here. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Manatee Technical College generally make around $27,210. That is a strong return on a $9,726 median debt.

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Lively Technical Center crest
Lively Technical Center
Tallahassee, FL

Lively Technical Center came in at #11 for value in culinary arts this year. Lively Technical Center is a small public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Students borrow a median of $10,260 to complete the culinary arts program here. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $31,226. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

Technical Education Center Osceola earned the #12 position for value in culinary arts this year. Technical Education Center Osceola is a small public school located in the suburb of Kissimmee. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $10,812 in student loans. Culinary Arts graduates of Technical Education Center Osceola earn a median of $29,420 early in their careers. Set against $10,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13
Valencia College crest
Valencia College
Orlando, FL

Valencia College came in at #13 for value in culinary arts this year. Set in the city of Orlando, Valencia College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,664, while out-of-state students pay about $9,576. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $17,468 in student loans. Culinary Arts graduates of Valencia College earn a median of $25,227 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,468 median debt.

14

Erwin Technical College landed the #14 spot for culinary arts value this year. Erwin Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Tampa. Culinary Arts graduates carry a median of $13,595 in student loans. Culinary Arts graduates of Erwin Technical College earn a median of $32,937 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

15

Sheridan Technical College came in at #15 for value in culinary arts this year. Located in the suburb of Hollywood, Sheridan Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students borrow a median of $7,698 to complete the culinary arts program here. Culinary Arts graduates of Sheridan Technical College earn a median of $29,243 early in their careers. Set against $7,698 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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16

William T Mcfatter Technical College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value culinary arts schools. Set in the suburb of Davie, William T Mcfatter Technical College is a small public institution. Typical student debt for culinary arts graduates is $9,500. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from William T Mcfatter Technical College generally make around $15,021. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

Pinellas Technical College Clearwater ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value culinary arts schools. Set in the city of Clearwater, Pinellas Technical College Clearwater is a small public institution. Students borrow a median of $18,549 to complete the culinary arts program here. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $21,965. Set against $18,549 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

18
First Coast Technical College crest
First Coast Technical College
Saint Augustine, FL

First Coast Technical College came in at #18 for value in culinary arts this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Augustine, First Coast Technical College is a small public institution. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $33,784.

19
Charlotte Technical College crest
Charlotte Technical College
Port Charlotte, FL

Charlotte Technical College placed #19 among the best values for culinary arts. Charlotte Technical College is a small public school located in the suburb of Port Charlotte. In-state tuition and fees average $3,110, while out-of-state students pay about $12,110. Typical student debt for culinary arts graduates is $9,875. Culinary Arts graduates of Charlotte Technical College earn a median of $36,503 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20

George Stone Technical Center placed #20 among the best values for culinary arts. Set in the suburb of Pensacola, George Stone Technical Center is a small public institution. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from George Stone Technical Center generally make around $41,349.

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21

Orange Technical College Westside Campus earned the #21 position for value in culinary arts this year. Orange Technical College Westside Campus is a small public school located in the suburb of Ocoee. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Orange Technical College Westside Campus generally make around $19,521.

22
Atlantic Technical College crest
Atlantic Technical College
Coconut Creek, FL

Atlantic Technical College placed #22 among the best values for culinary arts. Located in the suburb of Coconut Creek, Atlantic Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Typical student debt for culinary arts graduates is $9,222. Early-career culinary arts graduates make about $25,586. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

23

Lorenzo Walker Technical College landed the #23 spot for culinary arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Naples, Lorenzo Walker Technical College is a small public institution. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Lorenzo Walker Technical College generally make around $36,815.

24

Robert Morgan Educational Center And Technical College placed #24 among the best values for culinary arts. Robert Morgan Educational Center And Technical College is a small public school located in the suburb of Miami. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Robert Morgan Educational Center And Technical College generally make around $33,809.

25

Lake Technical College landed the #25 spot for culinary arts value this year. Lake Technical College is a small public school located in the suburb of Eustis. Typical student debt for culinary arts graduates is $10,612. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Lake Technical College generally make around $34,319. That is a strong return on a $10,612 median debt.

Rest of the Top 31 Best Value Culinary Arts Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s culinary arts value ranking:

26
27
Broward College crest
Broward College
Fort Lauderdale, FL
28
29
30
31

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 51 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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