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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Culinary Arts Schools in Iowa

3 Colleges in the United States
164 Culinary Arts Degrees Awarded
$31,464 Avg Early-Career Salary

Culinary Arts degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 8 schools to find the best for culinary arts students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Culinary Arts in Iowa

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall culinary arts education in Iowa.

Top Schools in Culinary Arts

1

No school ranked higher than Des Moines Area Community College this year for culinary arts. Set in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public institution. About 28 culinary arts degrees were awarded at Des Moines Area Community College in the most recent year. Culinary Arts graduates of Des Moines Area Community College earn a median of $26,913 early in their careers. Des Moines Area Community College graduates carry a median of $11,167 in student loans. More information about a degree in culinary arts from Des Moines Area Community College

2

A rank of #2 makes Iowa Western Community College one of the top schools for culinary arts. Iowa Western Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Council Bluffs. About 45 culinary arts degrees were awarded at Iowa Western Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their culinary arts degree from Iowa Western Community College earn around $43,444 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,153 to complete this degree. Read more about the culinary arts program at Iowa Western Community College

3
Kirkwood Community College crest
Kirkwood Community College
Cedar Rapids, IA

Students looking for a strong culinary arts program will find one at Kirkwood Community College, which ranked #3. Kirkwood Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. About 36 culinary arts degrees were awarded at Kirkwood Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their culinary arts degree from Kirkwood Community College earn around $21,391 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,375. Get the full culinary arts details for Kirkwood Community College

4

Western Iowa Tech Community College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in culinary arts, ranking #4. Set in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Western Iowa Tech Community College awarded about 36 culinary arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, culinary arts degree recipients from Western Iowa Tech Community College generally make around $24,061. Typical student debt for the program is $12,530. More information about a degree in culinary arts from Western Iowa Tech Community College

5

Eastern Iowa Community College District is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in culinary arts, ranking #5. Located in the city of Davenport, Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public university. There were roughly 19 culinary arts students who graduated with this degree at Eastern Iowa Community College District in the most recent data year. Graduates of the culinary arts program make about $41,510 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,995 to complete this degree. Get the full culinary arts details for Eastern Iowa Community College District

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 8 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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