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Best Schools for Culinary Arts in Illinois
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
Leading the list is College Of Dupage, our #1 school for culinary arts. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. There were roughly 41 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at College Of Dupage 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. Students borrow a median of $12,492 to complete this degree.
Read more about the culinary arts program at College Of Dupage
Students looking for a strong culinary arts program will find one at National Louis University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 30%. There were roughly 104 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at National Louis University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their culinary arts degree from National Louis University earn around $24,786 in the first couple years of their career. National Louis University graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans.
Read more about the culinary arts program at National Louis University
Elgin Community College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in culinary arts, ranking #3. Set in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public institution. Elgin Community College awarded about 108 culinary arts degrees 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.
Get the full culinary arts details for Elgin Community College
A rank of #4 makes Richland Community College one of the top schools for culinary arts. 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. Students who receive their culinary arts degree from Richland Community College earn around $46,233 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,562.
Read more about the culinary arts program at Richland Community College
Joliet Junior College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in culinary arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. There were roughly 82 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Joliet Junior College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $28,252. Typical student debt for the program is $16,375.
See the full culinary arts program report for Joliet Junior College
Illinois Central College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best culinary arts schools. Illinois Central College is a large public school located in the suburb of East Peoria. There were roughly 14 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Illinois Central College in the most recent data year. Culinary Arts graduates of Illinois Central College earn a median of $53,190 early in their careers. Illinois Central College graduates carry a median of $12,222 in student loans.
Read more about the culinary arts program at Illinois Central College
Lake Land College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best culinary arts schools. Set in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 178 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Lake Land College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Lake Land College generally make around $14,366. Typical student debt for the program is $5,163.
Get the full culinary arts details for Lake Land College
Mchenry County College earned the #8 position for culinary arts this year. This large public university is 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
Moraine Valley Community College placed #9 among the best culinary arts schools. 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. Culinary Arts graduates of Moraine Valley Community College earn a median of $43,844 early in their careers. 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
College Of Lake County earned the #10 position for culinary arts this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Grayslake. About 86 culinary arts degrees were awarded at College Of Lake County in the most recent year. Culinary Arts graduates of College Of Lake County earn a median of $50,314 early in their careers. College Of Lake County graduates carry a median of $9,785 in student loans.
See the full culinary arts program report for College Of Lake County
Lincoln Land Community College landed the #11 spot for culinary arts this year. Located in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Lincoln Land Community College awarded about 21 culinary arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their culinary arts degree from Lincoln Land Community College earn around $43,834 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,272.
Read more about the culinary arts program at Lincoln Land Community College
Triton College earned the #12 position for culinary arts this year. Located in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public university. About 25 culinary arts degrees were awarded at Triton College in the most recent year. Students who receive their culinary arts degree from Triton College earn around $43,278 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,994.
More information about a degree in culinary arts from Triton College
Kaskaskia College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best culinary arts schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the rural area of Centralia. Kaskaskia College awarded about 29 culinary arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Kaskaskia College generally make around $45,658. Typical student debt for the program is $7,875.
See the full culinary arts program report for Kaskaskia College
Rend Lake College earned the #14 position for culinary arts this year. Rend Lake College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Ina. About 17 culinary arts degrees were awarded at Rend Lake College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Rend Lake College generally make around $42,770. Rend Lake College graduates carry a median of $8,688 in student loans.
See the full culinary arts program report for Rend Lake College
City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College came in at #15 for culinary arts this year. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College is a mid-sized public institution. About 97 culinary arts degrees were awarded at City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College generally make around $19,447. City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College graduates carry a median of $7,986 in student loans.
More information about a degree in culinary arts from City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College
