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Best Schools for Culinary Arts in the Great Lakes Region
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the culinary arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Culinary Arts
Madison Area Technical College tops our 2026 ranking of the best culinary arts schools. Madison Area Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Madison. There were roughly 71 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Madison Area Technical College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their culinary arts degree from Madison Area Technical College earn around $44,279 in the first couple years of their career. Madison Area Technical College graduates carry a median of $16,812 in student loans.
See the full culinary arts program report for Madison Area Technical College
Fox Valley Technical College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best culinary arts schools. Fox Valley Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Appleton. Fox Valley Technical College awarded about 52 culinary arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the culinary arts program make about $34,736 in their early career. Fox Valley Technical College graduates carry a median of $14,234 in student loans.
More information about a degree in culinary arts from Fox Valley Technical College
Students looking for a strong culinary arts program will find one at Chippewa Valley Technical College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Eau Claire, Chippewa Valley Technical College is a large public university. About 24 culinary arts degrees were awarded at Chippewa Valley Technical College in the most recent year. Students who receive their culinary arts degree from Chippewa Valley Technical College earn around $45,531 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,234 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in culinary arts from Chippewa Valley Technical College
College Of Dupage is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in culinary arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. College Of Dupage awarded about 41 culinary arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their culinary arts degree from College Of Dupage earn around $26,952 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,492.
Get the full culinary arts details for College Of Dupage
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in culinary arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. There were roughly 111 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Cincinnati State Technical And Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the culinary arts program make about $36,330 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $12,145 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in culinary arts from Cincinnati State Technical And Community College
National Louis University came in at #6 for culinary arts this year. Located in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit university. National Louis University graduates 30% of students within six years. National Louis University awarded about 104 culinary arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from National Louis University generally make around $24,786. National Louis University graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in culinary arts from National Louis University
Elgin Community College earned the #7 position for culinary arts this year. Elgin Community College is a large public school located in the city of Elgin. There were roughly 108 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Elgin Community College in the most recent data year. Culinary Arts graduates of Elgin Community College earn a median of $43,975 early in their careers. Elgin Community College graduates carry a median of $7,727 in student loans.
See the full culinary arts program report for Elgin Community College
Waukesha County Technical College placed #8 among the best culinary arts schools. Located in the suburb of Pewaukee, Waukesha County Technical College is a large public university. About 34 culinary arts degrees were awarded at Waukesha County Technical College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Waukesha County Technical College generally make around $46,398. Waukesha County Technical College graduates carry a median of $16,595 in student loans.
More information about a degree in culinary arts from Waukesha County Technical College
Lakeshore Technical College earned the #9 position for culinary arts this year. Located in the rural area of Cleveland, Lakeshore Technical College is a mid-sized public university. There were roughly 23 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Lakeshore Technical College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their culinary arts degree from Lakeshore Technical College earn around $41,252 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $11,582 to complete this degree.
See the full culinary arts program report for Lakeshore Technical College
Cuyahoga Community College District came in at #10 for culinary arts this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Cleveland. There were roughly 103 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Cuyahoga Community College District in the most recent data year. Students who receive their culinary arts degree from Cuyahoga Community College District earn around $39,394 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,636 to complete this degree.
Get the full culinary arts details for Cuyahoga Community College District
Richland Community College earned the #11 position for culinary arts this year. Richland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Decatur. About 30 culinary arts degrees were awarded at Richland Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the culinary arts program make about $46,233 in their early career. Richland Community College graduates carry a median of $9,562 in student loans.
Get the full culinary arts details for Richland Community College
Baker College Of Flint placed #12 among the best culinary arts schools. Baker College Of Flint is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Owosso. Roughly 30% of students complete a degree within six years here. Baker College Of Flint awarded about 48 culinary arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their culinary arts degree from Baker College Of Flint earn around $25,204 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in culinary arts from Baker College Of Flint
Joliet Junior College came in at #13 for culinary arts this year. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. Joliet Junior College awarded about 82 culinary arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the culinary arts program make about $28,252 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,375 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in culinary arts from Joliet Junior College
Milwaukee Area Technical College placed #14 among the best culinary arts schools. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public institution. Milwaukee Area Technical College awarded about 87 culinary arts degrees in the most recent data year. Culinary Arts graduates of Milwaukee Area Technical College earn a median of $25,304 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,386 to complete this degree.
Read more about the culinary arts program at Milwaukee Area Technical College
Grand Rapids Community College landed the #15 spot for culinary arts this year. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Community College is a large public university. Grand Rapids Community College awarded about 59 culinary arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Grand Rapids Community College generally make around $26,052. Students borrow a median of $13,625 to complete this degree.
Read more about the culinary arts program at Grand Rapids Community College
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College came in at #16 for culinary arts this year. Located in the city of Green Bay, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public university. About 13 culinary arts degrees were awarded at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College in the most recent year. Culinary Arts graduates of Northeast Wisconsin Technical College earn a median of $42,016 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,997 to complete this degree.
Get the full culinary arts details for Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
Illinois Central College placed #17 among the best culinary arts schools. Set in the suburb of East Peoria, Illinois Central College is a large public institution. Illinois Central College awarded about 14 culinary arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Illinois Central College generally make around $53,190. Students borrow a median of $12,222 to complete this degree.
Read more about the culinary arts program at Illinois Central College
Gateway Technical College came in at #18 for culinary arts this year. Located in the city of Kenosha, Gateway Technical College is a large public university. Gateway Technical College awarded about 32 culinary arts degrees in the most recent data year. Culinary Arts graduates of Gateway Technical College earn a median of $42,410 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,829.
Read more about the culinary arts program at Gateway Technical College
Lake Land College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best culinary arts schools. Located in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 178 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Lake Land College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their culinary arts degree from Lake Land College earn around $14,366 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $5,163 to complete this degree.
Get the full culinary arts details for Lake Land College
Mchenry County College placed #20 among the best culinary arts schools. Mchenry County College is a large public school located in the rural area of Crystal Lake. Mchenry County College awarded about 19 culinary arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their culinary arts degree from Mchenry County College earn around $24,177 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $7,440 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in culinary arts from Mchenry County College
Vincennes University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best culinary arts schools. This very large public university is located in the town of Vincennes. Roughly 3% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 12 culinary arts degrees were awarded at Vincennes University in the most recent year. Students who receive their culinary arts degree from Vincennes University earn around $45,976 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,506 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in culinary arts from Vincennes University
Ivy Tech Community College earned the #22 position for culinary arts this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 273 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Ivy Tech Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $40,734. Typical student debt for the program is $11,889.
Read more about the culinary arts program at Ivy Tech Community College
Northwestern Michigan College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best culinary arts schools. Set in the city of Traverse City, Northwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public institution. About 53% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 18 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern Michigan College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their culinary arts degree from Northwestern Michigan College earn around $26,586 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,199 to complete this degree.
See the full culinary arts program report for Northwestern Michigan College
Moraine Valley Community College landed the #24 spot for culinary arts this year. Moraine Valley Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Palos Hills. About 40 culinary arts degrees were awarded at Moraine Valley Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the culinary arts program make about $43,844 in their early career. Moraine Valley Community College graduates carry a median of $11,149 in student loans.
More information about a degree in culinary arts from Moraine Valley Community College
Sinclair Community College landed the #25 spot for culinary arts this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Dayton. About 109 culinary arts degrees were awarded at Sinclair Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their culinary arts degree from Sinclair Community College earn around $28,037 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,834 to complete this degree.
Read more about the culinary arts program at Sinclair Community College
Rest of the Top 43 Culinary Arts Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s culinary arts ranking:
Narrow Culinary Arts Schools by State
