Then popularity of cooking shows has helped increase an awareness and interest in culinary training and an influx of new schools. But which is the best option for you? The cost of college has skyrocketed, and costs for culinary school have risen alongside them. How do you know if you are getting the best training and most value for your money? How much does it really cost?
The first thing to do is to decide where you want to go with your education. Do you want to work in a kitchen designing and making exquisite meals? Do you want to make glorious wedding cakes, or perhaps you want to make breads and pastries? Once you determine what kind of program you need, the next step is to work out a budget. Below is a breakdown of the top twenty culinary schools in the United States that includes a full description and annual tuition costs to help you make an informed decision.
Culinary Institute of America, located in New York.
The CIA is the gold standard of culinary education. They offer associates and bachelor’s degrees for a wide variety of programs, and include additional advanced certifications for those who wish to pursue advanced education. Last year they had just over 2,800 students, they offer an 18:1 student/teacher ratio, and have an 83% graduation rate. Tuition costs are $27,840 per year, with 87% of students receiving some type of financial aid.
The New England Culinary Institute is located in Montpelier, Vermont.
They offer excellent hands-on learning, with an on-site student/staff ratio of 6:1. They offer Associate’s and Bachelor’s degrees, as well as a full online division. Last year they had just over 550 students, with a 51% graduation rate. First year tuition is $30,765 with approximately 59% of students receiving financial aid.
The International Culinary Center in New York
was formerly known as The French Culinary Institute. The ICC does not offer degree programs on its own; however they are partnered with The New School University. A culinary program at ICC can provide up to 60 credits toward a Bachelor’s degree at TNS. In the previous year, the ICC had 741 students, a graduation rate of 92% and a 6:1 student/staff ratio. Tuition is $48,750, with only 14% receiving tuition assistance.
Johnson and Wales University
has four campuses that offer culinary education – Providence, Miami, Denver and Charlotte. In addition, they offer an online program as well. Last year, they had well over 10,000 students, with a 27:1 student/staff ratio and a 53% graduation rate. Tuition is $27,456 annually and 97% of students receive some type of financial aid. They do offer degree programs – both Associate’s and Bachelor’s, as well as interest-specific certifications (such as pastry, baking or wine).
The Institute of Culinary Education in New York
offer a wide variety of training and programs but do not offer college degrees. Last year they had 597 students, with a student/staff ratio of 7:1 and a graduation rate of 92%. Tuition is $48,750 with 22% of students receiving some type of financial aid.
International Culinary Center in California
is a secondary campus of the New York school. The International Culinary Center in New York was formerly known as The French Culinary Institute. The ICC does not offer degree programs on its own; however they are partnered with The New School University. A culinary program at ICC can provide up to 60 credits toward a Bachelor’s degree at TNS. In the previous year, the ICC had 741 students, a graduation rate of 92% and a 6:1 student/staff ratio. Tuition is $48,750, with only 14% receiving tuition assistance.
Kendall College in Illinois
offers both Associate’s and Bachelor’s degrees in a variety of programs. In 2014 they had 2,225 students, a graduation rate of 49% and a 16:1 staff/student ratio. Annual tuition is 60% of students receiving some type of financial aid.
Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts in Colorado
offers certification courses as well as interest courses for the home cook. They do not offer degree programs at this time. Last year they had 174 students and a 10:1 student/staff rate. Tuition is $23,882 with up to 52% of students receiving some type of financial aid package.
Culinary Institute LaNotre is located in Houston, Texas.
It offers diplomas (certificate programs) and Associate’s degrees. With 536 students last year, they had a 69% graduation rate and a 12:1 student/staff ratio. Tuition is $16,052 with approximately 52% of students receiving financial assistance.
Boston University in Massachusetts
offer a wide variety of non-credit certifications in food and wine, as well as advanced professional certifications. Last year they had over 32,000 (school-wide) and had a 13:1 student to staff ratio. Boston University has an 85% graduation rate as well. Annual tuition is $44,910, with 55% of students receiving financial assistance.
L’Academie de Cuisine in Maryland
offers professional certification programs and does not offer formal degrees. In 2014, they had 147 students with a graduation rate of 36% and a ratio of 16:1 for students to staff. Tuition for the 26 week program is $28,450 with 74% of students receiving financial aid.
Sullivan University is located in Louisville, Kentucky
They offer Associates degrees in culinary programs and Bachelor’s degrees in hospitality related programs. Last year Sullivan had 3,575 (2,684 are undergraduates) students across all campuses and a graduation rate of 41%. Their student to staff ratio is 13:1. Annual tuition and fees for academic year 2018-2019 is $12,870 (total expenses on campus $29,044) and 93% of qualified students received financial aid packages.
Auguste Escoffier College in Texas
is another campus of Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts in Colorado. It offers certification courses as well as interest courses for the home cook. They do not offer degree programs at this time. Last year they had 174 students and a 10:1 student/staff rate. Tuition is $23,882 with up to 52% of students receiving some type of financial aid package.
Paul Smiths College in New York
on the shores of St. Regis Lake offers a stunning campus, along with Associate’s and Bachelor’s degree programs. With only 1,063 school wide last year, they have a 12:1 student teacher ratio and a 45% graduation rate. Annual tuition is $23,632 and a whopping 99% of students receiving financial support.
Robert Morris University in Illinois
offers a Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality and Tourism, and has a highly-ranked online program offering. With 4,218 students last academic year, they had a graduation rate of 45%. In addition, RMU has a student-faculty ratio of 19:1 (including online students). Annual tuition is $25,800 with 89% of students being offered financial aid.
Louisiana Culinary Institute in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
offers an Associate’s degree in Occupational Studies in Culinary Arts. Last year in 2014 they had 159 students and a 50% graduation rate. Annual tuition is $16,037 with approximately 63% receiving a financial aid package.
The Culinary Institute of Virginia College at Jacksonville, Florida,
offers 36 week diploma courses as well as Associate’s degree options. In 2014 they had 465 students and a 10:1 student to staff ratio. Annual tuition is $15,654, with 80% of students being offered financial aid.
The Culinary Institute of Virginia College at Richmond, Virginia,
offers 36 week diploma courses as well as Associate’s degree options. In 2014 they had 440 students and a 10:1 student to staff ratio. Annual tuition is $16,800, with 80% of students being offered financial aid. Culinary Arts & Sciences Institute in Ohio
The Culinary Arts & Sciences Institute in Ohio
offers diploma (certificate) programs in Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry. Last year they had 39 students, with a graduation rate of 74%. In addition, they had the lowest student to staff ratio out of the top twenty, at 7:1. Tuition is $21,905 for the diploma program.
Drexel University in Pennsylvania
offers Bachelor’s degrees in Culinary Arts and Sciences. In 2014 they taught 24,860 students across all campuses. With a student/teacher ratio of 11:1, they had a graduation rate of 68%. Annual tuition is $37,505 and a whopping 98% of students are offered financial aid packages.
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