ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE · DEGREE PAYOFF · FEDERAL FIELD 1205

Culinary Arts and Related Services: is this associate's degree worth it?

National picture across 111 reporting college programs.

10-year estimate · Negative payoff

−$179,456 over 10 years

National scenario across reporting associate's degree programs, using median year-4 earnings, their institutions’ average net prices and a typical 2-year duration.

With these assumptions, the added earnings do not recover the cost within ten years.

Not availableModeled economic break-even
−157%Modeled 10-year ROI
$38,508Observed earnings · year 4
Not reachedMaximum annual price for positive 10-year payoff
Includes direct price and earnings forgone while studying. Assumes $45,000 in alternative annual earnings and no wage growth. How we calculate it
A PRACTICAL READ

Four useful answers about Culinary Arts and Related Services

How much do Culinary Arts and Related Services associate's degree graduates earn?

The national median is $38,508 four years after completion across reportable associate's degree programs in this federal field.

How much federal debt do graduates have?

The median reported federal debt is $15,584. The figure excludes private loans and does not describe every graduate.

Does the college matter for Culinary Arts and Related Services?

Yes. The middle half of reporting programs ranges from $35,626 to $41,909 in observed year-4 earnings.

What careers are related to Culinary Arts and Related Services?

DegreeVerdict links this field to 12 displayed occupations using the official federal CIP–SOC crosswalk. Occupational wages are career context, not graduate salary promises.

PRICE SENSITIVITY

The price can change the verdict.

Hold observed earnings constant and see how the modeled ten-year payoff changes as annual price rises.

What stays fixed$38,508 observed annual earnings · 2 years of study · $45,000 alternative annual earnings · ten-year horizonThe marked price is the average college-wide net-price context across reporting institutions. This is a sensitivity test, not a tuition quote or earnings forecast.
WHAT THIS DEGREE PAYS

Observed national outcomes

$38,508Median reported earnings · year 4
$33,502Average reported earnings · year 5
$15,584Median federal debt
20thYear-4 earnings percentile at this credential
Not availableIPEDS 2023–24 first-major awards across matched colleges
108With year-4 earnings

The award total covers 1 matched college records and is not extrapolated to colleges without a match.

COMPARE CREDENTIAL LEVELS

The same field can produce a different equation.

Keep the federal field fixed and compare observed outcomes at every reportable credential level. These are separate graduate cohorts, not a promise that more schooling causes the difference.

OPEN PROFILE

Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma

Year-4 earnings
$33,155
Federal debt
$11,834
Reporting programs
99
89 report earnings →
CURRENT VIEW

Associate's Degree

Year-4 earnings
$38,508
Federal debt
$15,584
Reporting programs
111
108 report earnings →
OPEN PROFILE

Bachelor's Degree

Year-4 earnings
$47,139
Federal debt
$27,000
Reporting programs
20
20 report earnings →
OPEN PROFILE

Master's Degree

Year-4 earnings
$51,558
Federal debt
Not available
Reporting programs
1
1 report earnings →
OPEN PROFILE

Non-Credential Program (Preparatory Coursework/Teacher Certification)

Year-4 earnings
$31,636
Federal debt
Not available
Reporting programs
1
1 report earnings →
COLLEGE-TO-COLLEGE RANGE

Where the middle half of programs lands

Year‑4 earnings differ by college. This band shows the 25th percentile, national median and 75th percentile among reporting programs.

Median
25th percentile$35,626National median$38,50875th percentile$41,909
108 programs report year‑4 earnings.
DECISION CHECK

What to compare before choosing a program

The national result is only the starting point. Price, debt and the college-level earnings spread can materially change the payoff.

$41,90975th-percentile year-4 earnings among reporting programs
$15,125Median federal debt across programs that report it
7Programs with earnings in the top quarter and debt at or below the median
PRICE × EARNINGS MAP

Where colleges sit for this exact degree

Move left for a lower annual college-wide net price and up for higher observed year-4 earnings.

$48,317Observed year-4 earnings$28,042
$3,214Annual college-wide average net price$30,428
All reporting colleges Lower-price, higher-earnings quadrantAxes trim the outer 5% for readability; outliers remain pinned to the chart edge. Price is institution-wide context, not exact program tuition.
Compare colleges

Put the same degree side by side.

Start with the leading reportable programs, then change the selection to match your shortlist.

Compare 3 programs →
Build your shortlist

Choose colleges offering this exact degree

Narrow one field and credential by location, sector and debt, then compare two to four programs side by side.

100 matchesSelect up to four · showing 25 currently operating colleges
1Seattle Central CollegeSeattle, WA · PublicYear-4 earnings$53,946Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$8,819
2College of DuPageGlen Ellyn, IL · PublicYear-4 earnings$50,503Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$7,401
3SUNY College of Technology at DelhiDelhi, NY · PublicYear-4 earnings$50,208Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$17,225
4Southern New Hampshire UniversityManchester, NH · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$50,055Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$36,708
5Southern Maine Community CollegeSouth Portland, ME · PublicYear-4 earnings$49,566Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$11,086
6Culinary Institute of AmericaHyde Park, NY · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$48,317Federal debt$12,000Annual net price$36,113
7Schenectady County Community CollegeSchenectady, NY · PublicYear-4 earnings$48,073Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$8,947
8Montgomery County Community CollegeBlue Bell, PA · PublicYear-4 earnings$47,552Federal debt$15,417Annual net price$11,124
9University of Alaska AnchorageAnchorage, AK · PublicYear-4 earnings$46,231Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$15,301
10Kalamazoo Valley Community CollegeKalamazoo, MI · PublicYear-4 earnings$45,697Federal debt$14,382Annual net price$2,979
11National Louis UniversityChicago, IL · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$45,609Federal debt$17,500Annual net price$12,641
12Grand Rapids Community CollegeGrand Rapids, MI · PublicYear-4 earnings$45,302Federal debt$15,125Annual net price$8,621
13Joliet Junior CollegeJoliet, IL · PublicYear-4 earnings$44,605Federal debt$16,375Annual net price$1,672
14Dallas CollegeDallas, TX · PublicYear-4 earnings$44,490Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$3,214
15Miami Dade CollegeMiami, FL · PublicYear-4 earnings$44,371Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$5,463
16College of Lake CountyGrayslake, IL · PublicYear-4 earnings$43,967Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$7,607
17Roosevelt UniversityChicago, IL · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$43,498Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$20,194
18Saint Paul CollegeSaint Paul, MN · PublicYear-4 earnings$42,842Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$11,495
19Colorado Mesa UniversityGrand Junction, CO · PublicYear-4 earnings$42,801Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$15,103
20Madison Area Technical CollegeMadison, WI · PublicYear-4 earnings$42,667Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$14,238
21Wake Technical Community CollegeRaleigh, NC · PublicYear-4 earnings$42,564Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$8,759
22Brookdale Community CollegeLincroft, NJ · PublicYear-4 earnings$42,483Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$11,231
23Johnson & Wales University-ProvidenceProvidence, RI · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$42,395Federal debt$14,745Annual net price$31,027
24Johnson & Wales University-CharlotteCharlotte, NC · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$42,395Federal debt$14,745Annual net price$27,426
25Johnson & Wales University-OnlineProvidence, RI · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$42,395Federal debt$14,745Annual net price$20,252
Open the full program search →
WHERE OUTCOMES ARE STRONGEST

See the spread, not just the national number.

1Seattle Central College$53,9462College of DuPage$50,5033SUNY College of Technology at Delhi$50,2084Southern New Hampshire University$50,0555Southern Maine Community College$49,5666Culinary Institute of America$48,3177Schenectady County Community College$48,0738Montgomery County Community College$47,5529University of Alaska Anchorage$46,23110Kalamazoo Valley Community College$45,697

Observed year-4 earnings · top displayed records are not a universal ranking

Career outlook

Related occupations, wages and demand

Official CIP–SOC links show where this field can lead. They do not imply that every graduate enters the same occupation.

Pay and projected demand

Related careers do not share one outlook

Bubble size = annual openings2025–35 national projection

Occupation wages describe workers in these jobs, not graduates of this degree. BLS projections are national estimates and do not guarantee hiring.

Chefs and Head Cooks$62,470 median wage200,040 U.S. jobs · SOC 35-1011+6.6% projected employment, 2025–35 · 25.2k annual openingsTypical entry education: High school diploma or equivalent$37,900$98,560 10th–90th percentileFirst-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$44,080 median wage1,223,240 U.S. jobs · SOC 35-1012+5.4% projected employment, 2025–35 · 171.5k annual openingsTypical entry education: High school diploma or equivalent$29,940$65,570 10th–90th percentileCooks, All Other$37,690 median wage19,350 U.S. jobs · SOC 35-2019+5.2% projected employment, 2025–35 · 2.8k annual openingsTypical entry education: No formal educational credential$27,040$51,140 10th–90th percentileFood Service Managers$69,390 median wage238,430 U.S. jobs · SOC 11-9051+5.8% projected employment, 2025–35 · 38.8k annual openingsTypical entry education: High school diploma or equivalent$45,960$107,640 10th–90th percentileCooks, Private Household$47,940 median wage1,100 U.S. jobs · SOC 35-2013+5.1% projected employment, 2025–35 · 5k annual openingsTypical entry education: Postsecondary nondegree award$36,090$91,130 10th–90th percentileCooks, Institution and Cafeteria$37,450 median wage441,050 U.S. jobs · SOC 35-2012+2.8% projected employment, 2025–35 · 62.9k annual openingsTypical entry education: No formal educational credential$28,480$49,670 10th–90th percentileCooks, Restaurant$37,390 median wage1,409,890 U.S. jobs · SOC 35-2014+12.1% projected employment, 2025–35 · 218.6k annual openingsTypical entry education: No formal educational credential$28,700$47,900 10th–90th percentileFood Scientists and Technologists$88,720 median wage13,060 U.S. jobs · SOC 19-1012+6.2% projected employment, 2025–35 · 1k annual openingsTypical entry education: Bachelor's degree$52,920$145,280 10th–90th percentilePostsecondary Teachers, All Other$77,640 median wage149,840 U.S. jobs · SOC 25-1199+2.0% projected employment, 2025–35 · 12.5k annual openingsTypical entry education: Doctoral or professional degree$44,300$160,700 10th–90th percentileButchers and Meat Cutters$40,140 median wage136,430 U.S. jobs · SOC 51-3021+2.4% projected employment, 2025–35 · 15.1k annual openingsTypical entry education: No formal educational credential$29,460$58,110 10th–90th percentileSlaughterers and Meat Packers$40,130 median wage69,950 U.S. jobs · SOC 51-3023+2.0% projected employment, 2025–35 · 7.7k annual openingsTypical entry education: No formal educational credential$33,340$51,090 10th–90th percentileBakers$37,160 median wage236,200 U.S. jobs · SOC 51-3011+5.5% projected employment, 2025–35 · 36.5k annual openingsTypical entry education: No formal educational credential$28,120$49,020 10th–90th percentile

BLS May 2025 wages and 2025–35 employment projections. Career context is separate from graduate outcomes.

BEST COLLEGES FOR CULINARY ARTS AND RELATED SERVICES

Same degree, different outcomes

Compare reported outcomes using the same federal field and credential. ROI uses each institution’s average net price as a scenario, not an individual aid offer.

#CollegeLocationEarnings, year 4Federal debt10-year ROIVerdict
1Seattle Central CollegeAssociate's DegreeSeattle, WA$53,946Not available-17%Negative payoff
2College of DuPageAssociate's DegreeGlen Ellyn, IL$50,503Not available-47%Negative payoff
3SUNY College of Technology at DelhiAssociate's DegreeDelhi, NY$50,208Not available-58%Negative payoff
4Southern New Hampshire UniversityAssociate's DegreeManchester, NH$50,055Not available-69%Negative payoff
5Southern Maine Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeSouth Portland, ME$49,566Not available-59%Negative payoff
6Culinary Institute of AmericaAssociate's DegreeHyde Park, NY$48,317$12,000-80%Negative payoff
7Schenectady County Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeSchenectady, NY$48,073Not available-72%Negative payoff
8Montgomery County Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeBlue Bell, PA$47,552$15,417-77%Negative payoff
9University of Alaska AnchorageAssociate's DegreeAnchorage, AK$46,231Not available-90%Negative payoff
10Kalamazoo Valley Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeKalamazoo, MI$45,697$14,382-93%Negative payoff
11National Louis UniversityAssociate's DegreeChicago, IL$45,609$17,500-95%Negative payoff
12Grand Rapids Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeGrand Rapids, MI$45,302$15,125-97%Negative payoff
13Joliet Junior CollegeAssociate's DegreeJoliet, IL$44,605$16,375-104%Negative payoff
14Dallas CollegeAssociate's DegreeDallas, TX$44,490Not available-105%Negative payoff
15Miami Dade CollegeAssociate's DegreeMiami, FL$44,371Not available-106%Negative payoff
16College of Lake CountyAssociate's DegreeGrayslake, IL$43,967Not available-110%Negative payoff
17Roosevelt UniversityAssociate's DegreeChicago, IL$43,498Not available-112%Negative payoff
18Saint Paul CollegeAssociate's DegreeSaint Paul, MN$42,842Not available-119%Negative payoff
19Colorado Mesa UniversityAssociate's DegreeGrand Junction, CO$42,801Not available-118%Negative payoff
20Madison Area Technical CollegeAssociate's DegreeMadison, WI$42,667Not available-120%Negative payoff
21Wake Technical Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeRaleigh, NC$42,564Not available-123%Negative payoff
22Brookdale Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeLincroft, NJ$42,483Not available-122%Negative payoff
23Johnson & Wales University-ProvidenceAssociate's DegreeProvidence, RI$42,395$14,745-117%Negative payoff
24Johnson & Wales University-CharlotteAssociate's DegreeCharlotte, NC$42,395$14,745-118%Negative payoff
25Johnson & Wales University-OnlineAssociate's DegreeProvidence, RI$42,395$14,745-120%Negative payoff
26Texas State Technical CollegeAssociate's DegreeWaco, TX$42,361$11,000-123%Negative payoff
27Kirkwood Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeCedar Rapids, IA$42,218$15,375-125%Negative payoff
28Paul Smiths College of Arts and ScienceAssociate's DegreePaul Smiths, NY$41,909Not available-122%Negative payoff
29Valencia CollegeAssociate's DegreeOrlando, FL$41,850$17,468-128%Negative payoff
30Utah Valley UniversityAssociate's DegreeOrem, UT$41,464Not available-134%Negative payoff
31Pikes Peak State CollegeAssociate's DegreeColorado Springs, CO$41,389Not available-135%Negative payoff
32Atlantic Cape Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeMays Landing, NJ$41,359$11,000-134%Negative payoff
33Culinary Institute IncAssociate's DegreeHouston, TX$41,359$27,829-124%Negative payoff
34Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts-BoulderAssociate's DegreeBoulder, CO$41,274$17,303-132%Negative payoff
35Niagara County Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeSanborn, NY$41,072$12,000-138%Negative payoff
36Des Moines Area Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeAnkeny, IA$40,878$11,167-137%Negative payoff
37Keiser University-Ft LauderdaleAssociate's DegreeFort Lauderdale, FL$40,731$20,000-128%Negative payoff
38Flathead Valley Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeKalispell, MT$40,677Not available-141%Negative payoff
39Saint Louis Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeBridgeton, MO$40,669Not available-141%Negative payoff
40Cuyahoga Community College DistrictAssociate's DegreeCleveland, OH$40,291Not available-148%Negative payoff
41Northwestern Michigan CollegeAssociate's DegreeTraverse City, MI$40,148$14,199-147%Negative payoff
42Suffolk County Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeSelden, NY$40,131Not available-148%Negative payoff
43Ferris State UniversityAssociate's DegreeBig Rapids, MI$40,056$23,251-146%Negative payoff
44Johnson County Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeOverland Park, KS$39,695Not available-145%Negative payoff
45Baker CollegeAssociate's DegreeOwosso, MI$39,471$12,000-148%Negative payoff
46Jna Institute of Culinary ArtsAssociate's DegreePhiladelphia, PA$39,299$13,250-144%Negative payoff
47Delaware Technical Community College-TerryAssociate's DegreeDover, DE$38,938Not available-154%Negative payoff
48Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeAsheville, NC$38,846Not available-154%Negative payoff
49University of Akron Main CampusAssociate's DegreeAkron, OH$38,719Not available-153%Negative payoff
50Butler Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeEl Dorado, KS$38,672Not available-152%Negative payoff
51Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts-AustinAssociate's DegreeAustin, TX$38,626$19,682-149%Negative payoff
52Walnut Hill CollegeAssociate's DegreePhiladelphia, PA$38,528$12,000-142%Negative payoff
53Oklahoma State University Institute of TechnologyAssociate's DegreeOkmulgee, OK$38,487$12,500-158%Negative payoff
54Sinclair Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeDayton, OH$38,421Not available-165%Negative payoff
55Hudson County Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeJersey City, NJ$38,349$12,900-164%Negative payoff
56College of Southern NevadaAssociate's DegreeLas Vegas, NV$38,198Not available-166%Negative payoff
57Helms CollegeAssociate's DegreeAugusta, GA$38,154$20,000-149%Negative payoff
58Macomb Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeWarren, MI$37,984Not available-175%Negative payoff
59Tidewater Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeNorfolk, VA$37,564$20,275-166%Negative payoff
60Schoolcraft Community College DistrictAssociate's DegreeLivonia, MI$37,459$15,750-180%Negative payoff
61Eastwick College-HackensackAssociate's DegreeHackensack, NJ$37,382$22,522-151%Negative payoff
62YTI Career Institute-YorkAssociate's DegreeYork, PA$37,327$19,222-164%Negative payoff
63Sullivan UniversityAssociate's DegreeLouisville, KY$37,099$15,265-156%Negative payoff
64Monroe UniversityAssociate's DegreeBronx, NY$36,798$13,364-169%Negative payoff
65Greenville Technical CollegeAssociate's DegreeGreenville, SC$36,700$19,434-173%Negative payoff
66Kapiolani Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeHonolulu, HI$36,663$10,087-183%Negative payoff
67SUNY College of Technology at AlfredAssociate's DegreeAlfred, NY$36,622$12,000-170%Negative payoff
68Florida State College at JacksonvilleAssociate's DegreeJacksonville, FL$36,337Not available-188%Negative payoff
69Sullivan County Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeLoch Sheldrake, NY$36,317Not available-181%Negative payoff
70Spokane Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeSpokane, WA$36,311Not available-186%Negative payoff
71ECPI UniversityAssociate's DegreeVirginia Beach, VA$36,225$18,043-165%Negative payoff
72NorthWest Arkansas Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeBentonville, AR$36,169$12,500-185%Negative payoff
73Central New Mexico Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeAlbuquerque, NM$36,031Not available-190%Negative payoff
74Stark State CollegeAssociate's DegreeNorth Canton, OH$36,018Not available-188%Negative payoff
75Guam Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeMangilao, GU$35,626Not available-195%Negative payoff
76Erie Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeBuffalo, NY$35,337$6,439-192%Negative payoff
77University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical CollegeAssociate's DegreeNorth Little Rock, AR$35,181$19,250-183%Negative payoff
78CUNY Kingsborough Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeBrooklyn, NY$35,003Not available-199%Negative payoff
79Institute of TechnologyAssociate's DegreeClovis, CA$34,943$17,298-174%Negative payoff
80Central Piedmont Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeCharlotte, NC$34,705Not available-206%Negative payoff
81Ozarks Technical Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeSpringfield, MO$34,685$10,501-199%Negative payoff
82Southeast Community College AreaAssociate's DegreeLincoln, NE$34,561Not available-196%Negative payoff
83Hinds Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeRaymond, MS$34,316Not available-209%Negative payoff
84Pennsylvania College of TechnologyAssociate's DegreeWilliamsport, PA$34,308$16,000-176%Negative payoff
85Guilford Technical Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeJamestown, NC$34,159$32,614-190%Negative payoff
86Hillsborough CollegeAssociate's DegreeTampa, FL$34,106Not available-211%Negative payoff
87Daytona State CollegeAssociate's DegreeDaytona Beach, FL$33,703$12,557-208%Negative payoff
88Miller-Motte College-ChattanoogaAssociate's DegreeChattanooga, TN$33,298$19,337-185%Negative payoff
89Western Iowa Tech Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeSioux City, IA$33,272$12,530-209%Negative payoff
90Virginia Western Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeRoanoke, VA$32,513Not available-225%Negative payoff
91Milwaukee Area Technical CollegeAssociate's DegreeMilwaukee, WI$32,443$19,386-216%Negative payoff
92Horry-Georgetown Technical CollegeAssociate's DegreeConway, SC$30,524$19,500-247%Negative payoff
93Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Carolina CampusAssociate's DegreeCarolina, PR$29,544$8,975-246%Negative payoff
94Louisiana Culinary InstituteAssociate's DegreeBaton Rouge, LA$28,862Not available-209%Negative payoff
95City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King CollegeAssociate's DegreeChicago, IL$28,042$6,285-256%Negative payoff
96Houston City CollegeAssociate's DegreeHouston, TX$27,150$26,217-276%Negative payoff
97Mississippi Gulf Coast Community CollegeAssociate's DegreePerkinston, MS$23,960Not available-302%Negative payoff
98NUC UniversityAssociate's DegreeBayamon, PR$23,953Not available-295%Negative payoff
99Massasoit Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeBrockton, MA$21,364Not available-321%Negative payoff
100Cincinnati State Technical and Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeCincinnati, OHNot available$12,145WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive$4,968

This page keeps the field and credential level fixed. Federal categories can still combine multiple catalog programs or concentrations. Automated ROI is limited to associate and bachelor’s degrees because institution-wide annual net price is not a reliable proxy for short certificate prices. ROI is an illustrative scenario, not a federal determination.