Culinary Arts and Chef Training: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Culinary Arts and Chef Training programs equip aspiring professionals with the advanced skills and knowledge required to excel in high-pressure, dynamic food service environments. This comprehensive curriculum emphasizes technical mastery, creative innovation, and operational leadership within commercial kitchens.
- Recipe and Menu Development: Learn to design balanced, market-driven menus that reflect seasonal availability, dietary trends, and business objectives, while ensuring consistency and profitability.
- Advanced Food Preparation and Cooking Techniques: Master a broad spectrum of culinary methods—from sautéing and braising to sous-vide and molecular gastronomy—applied across diverse global cuisines.
- Kitchen Supervision and Team Leadership: Develop expertise in managing kitchen staff, delegating tasks efficiently, and fostering a collaborative, hygienic, and productive work environment.
- Food Supply and Resource Management: Gain hands-on experience in inventory control, cost analysis, purchasing strategies, and waste reduction to optimize kitchen operations and maintain financial sustainability.
- Food Presentation and Plating Aesthetics: Cultivate an artistic eye for composition, color, texture, and plating design that elevates the dining experience and aligns with contemporary culinary standards.
- Culinary Diversity and Global Cuisine Proficiency: Explore traditional and modern cooking styles from around the world, including French, Italian, Asian, Latin American, and contemporary fusion cuisines, building cultural and technical versatility.
Culinary Arts and Chef Training Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Culinary Arts and Chef Training Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Culinary Arts and Chef Training degrees, including Chefs and Head Cooks, Cooks, Private Household and First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 2,846,400 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chefs and Head Cooks 35-1011 | $60,990 | $36,000 - $96,030 | 182,320 | $29.32 |
| Cooks, Private Household 35-2013 | $44,530 | $38,240 - $92,480 | 900 | $21.41 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers 35-1012 | $42,010 | $29,340 - $63,420 | 1,187,460 | $20.20 |
| Cooks, Restaurant 35-2014 | $36,830 | $28,010 - $47,340 | 1,452,130 | $17.71 |
| Cooks, All Other 35-2019 | $36,210 | $26,430 - $49,600 | 23,590 | $17.41 |
Culinary Arts and Chef Training Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $33,123 in Louisiana to $58,527 in District of Columbia—a 77% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 2,846,400 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Culinary Arts and Chef Training by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 100 institutions offering Culinary Arts and Chef Training programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Culinary Arts and Chef Training is found at Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, Boulder (1,922 graduates), Culinary Institute of America (CIA) (444 graduates), Institute of Culinary Education (ICE) (406 graduates), Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) (284 graduates), and Institute of Culinary Education (ICE) (229 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 8,511 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
1,922 | Boulder, Colorado | Private | escoffier.edu |
| Culinary Institute of America (CIA) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
444 | Hyde Park, New York | Private | ciachef.edu |
| Institute of Culinary Education (ICE) |
Other Award
|
406 | New York, New York | Private | ice.edu |
| Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
284 | Charlotte, North Carolina | Public | cpcc.edu |
| Institute of Culinary Education (ICE) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
229 | Pasadena, California | Private | ice.edu |
| Lake Land College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
178 | Mattoon, Illinois | Public | lakelandcollege.edu |
| Johnson & Wales University |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
170 | Providence, Rhode Island | Private | jwu.edu |
| Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts |
Associate's
Other Award
|
152 | Austin, Texas | Private | escoffier.edu |
| Arizona Culinary Institute (ACI) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
127 | Scottsdale, Arizona | Private | azculinary.edu |
| Trident Technical College (TTC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
115 | Charleston, South Carolina | Public | tridenttech.edu |
| Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
114 | Fayetteville, North Carolina | Public | faytechcc.edu |
| Dallas College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
113 | Dallas, Texas | Public | dallascollege.edu |
| Texarkana College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
113 | Texarkana, Texas | Public | texarkanacollege.edu |
| South Louisiana Community College (SLCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
101 | Lafayette, Louisiana | Public | solacc.edu |
| SOWELA Technical Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
98 | Lake Charles, Louisiana | Public | sowela.edu |
| Lee College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
94 | Baytown, Texas | Public | lee.edu |
| Cuyahoga Community College District (Tri-C) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
93 | Cleveland, Ohio | Public | tri-c.edu |
| Valencia College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
91 | Orlando, Florida | Public | valenciacollege.edu |
| Johnson & Wales University (JWU) |
Associate's
|
87 | Charlotte, North Carolina | Private | jwu.edu |
| National Louis University (NLU) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
84 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | nl.edu |
| Guilford Technical Community College (GTCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
84 | Jamestown, North Carolina | Public | gtcc.edu |
| Orange Technical College (OTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
82 | Orlando, Florida | Public | orangetechcollege.net |
| City Colleges of Chicago (KKC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
80 | Chicago, Illinois | Public | ccc.edu |
| Cincinnati State Technical and Community College (CSTCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
80 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Public | cincinnatistate.edu |
| St Philip's College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
75 | San Antonio, Texas | Public | alamo.edu |
| ECPI University (ECPI) |
Associate's
|
75 | Virginia Beach, Virginia | Private | ecpi.edu |
| Estrella Mountain Community College (EMCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
74 | Avondale, Arizona | Public | estrellamountain.edu |
| University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
71 | North Little Rock, Arkansas | Public | uaptc.edu |
| Nunez Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
Other Award
|
69 | Chalmette, Louisiana | Public | nunez.edu |
| Helms College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
69 | Augusta, Georgia | Private | helms.edu |
| Miami Dade College (MDC) |
Other Award
|
64 | Miami, Florida | Public | mdc.edu |
| Odessa College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
64 | Odessa, Texas | Public | odessa.edu |
| Monroe College |
Associate's
|
59 | Bronx, New York | Private | monroecollege.edu |
| Hudson County Community College (HCCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
58 | Jersey City, New Jersey | Public | hccc.edu |
| NUC University (NUC) |
Associate's
|
58 | Bayamon, Puerto Rico | Private | nuc.edu |
| South Plains College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
57 | Levelland, Texas | Public | southplainscollege.edu |
| Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College (A-B Tech) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
56 | Asheville, North Carolina | Public | abtech.edu |
| Henry Ford College (HFC) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
55 | Dearborn, Michigan | Public | hfcc.edu |
| Davis Technical College (DATC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
54 | Kaysville, Utah | Public | davistech.edu |
| Jefferson Community and Technical College (JCTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
52 | Louisville, Kentucky | Public | jefferson.kctcs.edu |
| Schoolcraft Community College District |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
52 | Livonia, Michigan | Public | schoolcraft.edu |
| Horry-Georgetown Technical College (HGTC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
52 | Conway, South Carolina | Public | hgtc.edu |
| Nashville State Community College (NSCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
52 | Nashville, Tennessee | Public | nscc.edu |
| Sullivan University |
Associate's
|
51 | Louisville, Kentucky | Private | sullivan.edu |
| Mountainland Technical College (MTECH) |
Other Award
|
50 | Lehi, Utah | Public | mtec.edu |
| Pinellas Technical College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
48 | Clearwater, Florida | Public | myptc.edu |
| Niagara County Community College (SUNY Niagara) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
48 | Sanborn, New York | Public | niagaracc.suny.edu |
| Louisiana Culinary Institute (LCI) |
Associate's
|
47 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | Private | lci.edu |
| Scottsdale Community College (SCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
46 | Scottsdale, Arizona | Public | scottsdalecc.edu |
| NorthWest Arkansas Community College (NWACC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
46 | Bentonville, Arkansas | Public | nwacc.edu |
| College of Southern Nevada (CSN) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
44 | Las Vegas, Nevada | Public | csn.edu |
| The Culinary School of Fort Worth |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
44 | Fort Worth, Texas | Private | csftw.edu |
| Coastal Carolina Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
42 | Jacksonville, North Carolina | Public | coastalcarolina.edu |
| Orange Technical College (OTC) |
Other Award
|
41 | Winter Garden, Florida | Public | orangetechcollege.net |
| Metropolitan Community College Area (MCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
41 | Omaha, Nebraska | Public | mccneb.edu |
| Utah Valley University (UVU) |
Associate's
|
41 | Orem, Utah | Public | uvu.edu |
| International Air and Hospitality Academy (IAHA) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
41 | Vancouver, Washington | Private | aha.edu |
| Universidad Ana G. Mendez (UAGM Carolina) |
Associate's
|
41 | Carolina, Puerto Rico | Private | uagm.edu |
| Connecticut State Community College (CT State) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
39 | Hartford, Connecticut | Public | ctstate.edu |
| Holyoke Community College (HCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
39 | Holyoke, Massachusetts | Public | hcc.edu |
| Mariano Moreno Culinary Institute |
Associate's
Other Award
|
39 | Miami, Florida | Private | mmci.edu |
| Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
Associate's
|
38 | Indiana, Pennsylvania | Public | iup.edu |
| Houston Community College (HCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
38 | Houston, Texas | Public | hccs.edu |
| Nicholls State University |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
37 | Thibodaux, Louisiana | Public | nicholls.edu |
| Suncoast Technical College (STC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
36 | Sarasota, Florida | Public | sarasotacountyschools.net |
| Joliet Junior College (JJC) |
Associate's
|
36 | Joliet, Illinois | Public | jjc.edu |
| Kirkwood Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
36 | Cedar Rapids, Iowa | Public | kirkwood.edu |
| Western Iowa Tech Community College (WITCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
36 | Sioux City, Iowa | Public | witcc.edu |
| Hillsborough Community College (HCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
35 | Tampa, Florida | Public | hccfl.edu |
| West Kentucky Community and Technical College (WKCTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
35 | Paducah, Kentucky | Public | westkentucky.kctcs.edu |
| Northshore Technical Community College (NTCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Residency
Other Award
|
34 | Lacombe, Louisiana | Public | northshorecollege.edu |
| Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
34 | Grand Rapids, Michigan | Public | grcc.edu |
| Tarrant County College District (TCCD) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
34 | Fort Worth, Texas | Public | tccd.edu |
| Pensacola State College (PSC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
33 | Pensacola, Florida | Public | pensacolastate.edu |
| College of Lake County (CLC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
33 | Grayslake, Illinois | Public | clcillinois.edu |
| Atlantic Cape Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
33 | Mays Landing, New Jersey | Public | atlanticcape.edu |
| Texas State Technical College (TSTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
33 | Waco, Texas | Public | tstc.edu |
| Walnut Hill College (WHC) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
32 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | walnuthillcollege.edu |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico (UIPR) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
32 | Mercedita, Puerto Rico | Private | ponce.inter.edu |
| Shelton State Community College (SSCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
31 | Tuscaloosa, Alabama | Public | sheltonstate.edu |
| Ashland Community and Technical College (ACTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
31 | Ashland, Kentucky | Public | ashland.kctcs.edu |
| Delgado Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
31 | New Orleans, Louisiana | Public | dcc.edu |
| Wake Technical Community College (Wake Tech) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
31 | Raleigh, North Carolina | Public | waketech.edu |
| Clover Park Technical College (CPTC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
30 | Lakewood, Washington | Public | cptc.edu |
| Elgin Community College (ECC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
29 | Elgin, Illinois | Public | elgin.edu |
| Prince George's Community College (PGCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
29 | Largo, Maryland | Public | pgcc.edu |
| Saint Louis Community College (STLCC) |
Associate's
|
29 | Bridgeton, Missouri | Public | stlcc.edu |
| Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
28 | Ankeny, Iowa | Public | dmacc.edu |
| Nash Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
28 | Rocky Mount, North Carolina | Public | nashcc.edu |
| Indian River State College (IRSC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
Other Award
|
27 | Fort Pierce, Florida | Public | irsc.edu |
| Somerset Community College (SCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
27 | Somerset, Kentucky | Public | somerset.kctcs.edu |
| Schenectady County Community College (SUNY SCCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
27 | Schenectady, New York | Public | sunysccc.edu |
| Northampton County Area Community College (NCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
27 | Bethlehem, Pennsylvania | Public | northampton.edu |
| Austin Community College District (ACC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
27 | Austin, Texas | Public | austincc.edu |
| San Jacinto Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
27 | Pasadena, Texas | Public | sanjac.edu |
| Bellingham Technical College (BTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
27 | Bellingham, Washington | Public | btc.edu |
| Olympic College (OC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
27 | Bremerton, Washington | Public | olympic.edu |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico (UIPR) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
27 | Bayamon, Puerto Rico | Private | bayamon.inter.edu |
| South Texas College (STC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
26 | McAllen, Texas | Public | southtexascollege.edu |
| H Councill Trenholm State Community College (TSCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
25 | Montgomery, Alabama | Public | trenholmstate.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Culinary Arts and Chef Training programs
How much can I earn with a Culinary Arts and Chef Training degree?
Salaries for Culinary Arts and Chef Training graduates vary by role and location. Chefs and Head Cooks earn a median of $60,990 annually, while Cooks, Private Household earn around $44,530. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in District of Columbia average $58,527 compared to $33,123 in Louisiana. Approximately 2,846,400 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Culinary Arts and Chef Training programs?
Currently 349 accredited institutions offer Culinary Arts and Chef Training degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, Boulder (1,922 graduates), Culinary Institute of America (CIA) (444 graduates), and Institute of Culinary Education (ICE) (406 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Culinary Arts and Chef Training growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 20,132 in 2010 to 11,194 in 2023-24. This represents a 44% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Culinary Arts and Chef Training degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Chefs and Head Cooks, Cooks, Private Household, and First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers. Related occupations employ approximately 2,846,400 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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