Best colleges for Culinary Arts and Related Services in Colorado
Ranked by graduate earnings
Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts - Boulder, Colorado Mesa University and Emily Griffith Technical College award the most Culinary Arts and Related Services degrees and certificates in Colorado: 3,260, 87 and 30 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 9 Colorado colleges offer Culinary Arts and Related Services and award 3,514 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Culinary Arts and Related Services program prepares students for a variety of careers in the culinary field, focusing on essential cooking techniques and management skills. This program is ideal for those passionate about food and…
Top 2 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts - Boulder Boulder Private for-profit · Certificate | $25,682 | 3,260 | 48% | $13,643 | $11,093 |
| 2 | Emily Griffith Technical College Denver Public · Certificate | $22,599 | 30 | 97% | — | $9,960 |
Colleges awarding the most Culinary Arts and Related Services degrees in Colorado
Top 7 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts - Boulder Boulder Private for-profit | 3,260 | $25,682 |
| 2 | Colorado Mesa University Grand Junction Public | 87 | Not reported |
| 3 | Emily Griffith Technical College Denver Public | 30 | $22,599 |
| 4 | Pickens Technical College Aurora Public | 27 | Not reported |
| 5 | Pueblo Community College Pueblo Public | 10 | Not reported |
| 6 | Red Rocks Community College Lakewood Public | 9 | Not reported |
| 7 | Metropolitan State University of Denver Denver Public | 5 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 2 Colorado colleges offering Culinary Arts and Related Services
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pikes Peak State College | Colorado Springs | Public | 54 |
| Colorado Mountain College | Glenwood Springs | Public | 32 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Cooks, Restaurant (SOC 35-2014).
Top skills
What Cooks, Restaurant earn in Colorado
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Culinary Arts and Related Services programs in Colorado.
Which Colorado colleges award the most Culinary Arts and Related Services degrees?+
Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts - Boulder (3,260 graduates a year), Colorado Mesa University (87 graduates a year) and Emily Griffith Technical College (30 graduates a year) award the most Culinary Arts and Related Services degrees and certificates in Colorado, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 9 Colorado colleges offer Culinary Arts and Related Services.
Which Culinary Arts and Related Services program in Colorado has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts - Boulder tops the list at $25,682. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Cooks, Restaurant earn in Colorado?+
The average annual wage for Cooks, Restaurant in Colorado is $42,360 (median $41,600), across about 30,600 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Culinary Arts and Related Services program?+
The Culinary Arts and Related Services program prepares students for a variety of careers in the culinary field, focusing on essential cooking techniques and management skills. This program is ideal for those passionate about food and…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop critical thinking, monitoring, speaking, active listening, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Cooks, Restaurant?+
The national job outlook is about +14.9% growth with around 250,700 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A No formal educational credential is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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