Culinary Arts and Related Services: is this bachelor's degree worth it?
National picture across 20 reporting college programs.
10-year estimate · Negative payoff
−$254,009 over 10 years
National scenario across reporting bachelor's degree programs, using median year-4 earnings, their institutions’ average net prices and a typical 4-year duration.
With these assumptions, the added earnings do not recover the cost within ten years.
128.8 yrsModeled economic break-even
−92%Modeled 10-year ROI
$47,139Observed earnings · year 4
Not reachedMaximum annual price for positive 10-year payoff
Four useful answers about Culinary Arts and Related Services
How much do Culinary Arts and Related Services bachelor's degree graduates earn?
The national median is $47,139 four years after completion across reportable bachelor's degree programs in this federal field.
How much federal debt do graduates have?
The median reported federal debt is $27,000. 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 $42,043 to $48,346 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.
← Negative payoff$0Positive payoff →
$0Annual price−$158,615
$8,000Annual price−$190,615
$16,000Annual price−$222,615
$24,000Current college-wide context−$254,615
$32,000Annual price−$286,615
$40,000Annual price−$318,615
Observed national outcomes
$47,139Median reported earnings · year 4
$39,010Average reported earnings · year 5
$27,000Median federal debt
14thYear-4 earnings percentile at this credential
Not availableIPEDS 2023–24 first-major awards across matched colleges
20With year-4 earnings
The award total covers 0 matched college records and is not extrapolated to colleges without a match.
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
Associate's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $38,508
- Federal debt
- $15,584
- Reporting programs
- 111
Bachelor's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $47,139
- Federal debt
- $27,000
- Reporting programs
- 20
Master's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $51,558
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 1
Non-Credential Program (Preparatory Coursework/Teacher Certification)
- Year-4 earnings
- $31,636
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 1
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$42,043National median$47,13975th percentile$48,346
20 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.
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.
$55,056Observed year-4 earnings$32,489
Culinary Institute of America$36,113 price · $61,944 earningsJohnson & Wales University-Providence$31,027 price · $55,056 earningsJohnson & Wales University-Charlotte$27,426 price · $55,056 earningsSouthern New Hampshire University$36,708 price · $52,058 earningsSUNY College of Technology at Delhi$17,225 price · $51,716 earningsSUNY College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill$18,701 price · $48,346 earningsDrexel University$38,509 price · $48,094 earningsWalnut Hill College$32,351 price · $47,308 earningsNicholls State University$12,947 price · $46,969 earningsPaul Smiths College of Arts and Science$26,683 price · $42,652 earningsMississippi University for Women$12,411 price · $42,043 earningsUniversity of North Alabama$12,170 price · $38,735 earningsUniversidad Ana G. Mendez-Carolina Campus$7,761 price · $32,489 earnings
$7,761Annual college-wide average net price$36,708
Put the same degree side by side.
Start with the leading reportable programs, then change the selection to match your shortlist.
Compare 3 programs →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.
13 matchesSelect up to four · showing 25 currently operating colleges
Open the full program search →
See the spread, not just the national number.
1Culinary Institute of America$61,9442Johnson & Wales University-Providence$55,0563Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte$55,0564Southern New Hampshire University$52,0585SUNY College of Technology at Delhi$51,7166SUNY College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill$48,3467Drexel University$48,0948Walnut Hill College$47,3089Nicholls State University$46,96910Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science$42,652Observed year-4 earnings · top displayed records are not a universal ranking
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
Higher median wage ↑
-7%Projected employment growth →14%
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.
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.
| # | College | Location | Earnings, year 4 | Federal debt | 10-year ROI | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Culinary Institute of AmericaBachelor's Degree | Hyde Park, NY | $61,944 | $27,000 | -48% | Negative payoff |
| 2 | Johnson & Wales University-ProvidenceBachelor's Degree | Providence, RI | $55,056 | $27,000 | -67% | Negative payoff |
| 3 | Johnson & Wales University-CharlotteBachelor's Degree | Charlotte, NC | $55,056 | $27,000 | -65% | Negative payoff |
| 4 | Southern New Hampshire UniversityBachelor's Degree | Manchester, NH | $52,058 | $26,000 | -78% | Negative payoff |
| 5 | SUNY College of Technology at DelhiBachelor's Degree | Delhi, NY | $51,716 | Not available | -73% | Negative payoff |
| 6 | SUNY College of Agriculture and Technology at CobleskillBachelor's Degree | Cobleskill, NY | $48,346 | Not available | -87% | Negative payoff |
| 7 | Drexel UniversityBachelor's Degree | Philadelphia, PA | $48,094 | Not available | -91% | Negative payoff |
| 8 | Walnut Hill CollegeBachelor's Degree | Philadelphia, PA | $47,308 | $27,000 | -93% | Negative payoff |
| 9 | Nicholls State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Thibodaux, LA | $46,969 | $26,063 | -92% | Negative payoff |
| 10 | Paul Smiths College of Arts and ScienceBachelor's Degree | Paul Smiths, NY | $42,652 | $27,000 | -108% | Negative payoff |
| 11 | Mississippi University for WomenBachelor's Degree | Columbus, MS | $42,043 | $25,750 | -113% | Negative payoff |
| 12 | University of North AlabamaBachelor's Degree | Florence, AL | $38,735 | Not available | -127% | Negative payoff |
| 13 | Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Carolina CampusBachelor's Degree | Carolina, PR | $32,489 | $13,000 | -159% | Negative payoff |
| 14 | AI Miami International University of Art and DesignBachelor's Degree | , | $47,574 | $31,109 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
| 15 | Miami International University of Art & Design-Art Institute DallasBachelor's Degree | , | $47,574 | $31,109 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
| 16 | The Art Institute of HoustonBachelor's Degree | , | $44,728 | $34,429 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
| 17 | The Art Institute of AustinBachelor's Degree | , | $44,728 | $34,429 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
| 18 | The Art Institute of San AntonioBachelor's Degree | , | $44,728 | $34,429 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
| 19 | The Art Institute of AtlantaBachelor's Degree | , | $38,551 | $40,727 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
| 20 | The Art Institute of Virginia BeachBachelor's Degree | , | $38,551 | $40,727 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
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.