Best institutions to study Baking and Pastry Arts/Baker/Pastry Chef
A program that prepares individuals to serve as professional bakers and pastry specialists in restaurants or other commercial baking establishments.
193 U.S. institutions graduated 5,575 Baking and Pastry Arts/Baker/Pastry Chef students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 12.0501, a specialization of Culinary Arts and Related Services (CIP 12.05), and leads most directly to the Bakers occupation (BLS SOC 51-3011).
About Baking and Pastry Arts/Baker/Pastry Chef programs
A program that prepares individuals to serve as professional bakers and pastry specialists in restaurants or other commercial baking establishments. Includes instruction in bread and pastry making, bread and pastry handling and storage, cake and pastry decorating, baking industry operations, product packaging and marketing operations, and counter display and service.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Baking and Pastry Arts/Baker/Pastry Chef program prepares individuals for careers as professional bakers and pastry specialists in various commercial baking establishments. This program is ideal for those who are passionate about creating baked goods and desserts, and who wish to develop their culinary skills in a structured environment.
Students will gain essential skills in bread and pastry making, handling and storage, cake and pastry decorating, and baking industry operations. Coursework also covers product packaging, marketing operations, and counter display and service, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the baking profession.
Credentials awarded
What Baking and Pastry Arts/Baker/Pastry Chef graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years2,031 graduates / yr · 92 institutions36%
- Associate's degree1,808 graduates / yr · 95 institutions32%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year1,626 graduates / yr · 93 institutions29%
- Bachelor's degree72 graduates / yr · 5 institutions1.3%
- Award of less than 12 weeks23 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.4%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years15 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.3%
Graduates over time
Baking and Pastry Arts/Baker/Pastry Chef completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 7,943 |
| 2013 | 9,481 |
| 2014 | 8,316 |
| 2015 | 7,910 |
| 2016 | 7,821 |
| 2017 | 6,850 |
| 2018 | 5,253 |
| 2019 | 4,964 |
| 2020 | 4,199 |
| 2021 | 4,322 |
| 2022 | 5,029 |
| 2023 | 5,508 |
| 2024 | 5,535 |
| 2025 | 5,575 |
Top 50 institutions for Baking and Pastry Arts/Baker/Pastry Chef, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts - Boulder Boulder, COPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1,130 | 48% | $13,643 | $25,682 |
| 2 | NUC University Bayamon, PRPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 336 | 54% | $9,377 | $12,403 |
| 3 | Culinary Institute of America Hyde Park, NYPrivate not-for-profitAssociate'sBachelor's | 230 | 63% | $31,271 | $28,049 |
| 4 | Valencia College Orlando, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 228 | 48% | — | $25,227 |
| 5 | Institute of Culinary Education New York, NYPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 202 | — | — | $22,759 |
| 6 | Johnson & Wales University - Providence Providence, RIPrivate not-for-profitAssociate'sBachelor's | 153 | 55% | $31,634 | $27,514 |
| 7 | IVAEM College Caguas, PRPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 100 | 83% | $9,106 | — |
| 8 | St Philip's College San Antonio, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 90 | 28% | — | — |
| 9 | Wake Technical Community College Raleigh, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 85 | 33% | — | — |
| 10 | Dallas College Dallas, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 84 | 32% | — | $30,484 |
| 11 | Houston City College Houston, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 78 | 17% | — | $26,419 |
| 12 | Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, INPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 71 | 40% | — | — |
| 13 | Johnson & Wales University - Charlotte Charlotte, NCPrivate not-for-profitAssociate's | 70 | 49% | $29,446 | $27,514 |
| 14 | Institute of Culinary Education Pasadena, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 66 | 77% | — | $22,759 |
| 15 | University of Arkansas - Pulaski Technical College North Little Rock, ARPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 65 | 36% | — | $25,597 |
| 16 | Escuela Hotelera de San Juan Hato Rey, PRPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 63 | 85% | $16,946 | $10,107 |
| 17 | Culinary Institute Inc Houston, TXPrivate for-profitAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 50 | 100% | $27,563 | $28,089 |
| 18 | South Texas College McAllen, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 49 | 27% | — | $24,084 |
| 19 | National Louis University Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 44 | 30% | $18,904 | $24,786 |
| 20 | College of Southern Nevada Las Vegas, NVPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 44 | 19% | — | $22,428 |
| 21 | Niagara County Community College Sanborn, NYPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 43 | 32% | — | $26,514 |
| 22 | Central New Mexico Community College Albuquerque, NMPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 38 | 31% | — | $23,139 |
| 23 | Institute of Technology Clovis, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 38 | 73% | $24,518 | $21,509 |
| 24 | Colorado Mesa University Grand Junction, COPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 37 | 41% | — | — |
| 25 | Collin County Community College District McKinney, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 36 | 20% | — | — |
| 26 | NorthWest Arkansas Community College Bentonville, ARPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 36 | 31% | — | $25,996 |
| 27 | ICPR Junior College - Mayaguez Mayaguez, PRPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 35 | 67% | $6,374 | $12,730 |
| 28 | Central Piedmont Community College Charlotte, NCPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 34 | 31% | — | $27,127 |
| 29 | City Colleges of Chicago - Kennedy - King College Chicago, ILPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 33 | 31% | — | $19,447 |
| 30 | Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Perkinston, MSPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 33 | 48% | — | — |
| 31 | ECPI University Virginia Beach, VAPrivate for-profitAssociate's | 32 | 42% | $21,909 | $23,320 |
| 32 | Wiregrass Georgia Technical College Valdosta, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 30 | 50% | — | — |
| 33 | Suffolk County Community College Selden, NYPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 30 | 29% | — | — |
| 34 | College of Lake County Grayslake, ILPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 29 | 37% | — | — |
| 35 | Wilkes Community College Wilkesboro, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 29 | 55% | — | — |
| 36 | Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts - Austin Austin, TXPrivate for-profitAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 29 | 70% | $21,708 | $26,613 |
| 37 | William T McFatter Technical College Davie, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 27 | 66% | — | $15,021 |
| 38 | Monroe University Bronx, NYPrivate for-profitAssociate's | 26 | 57% | $12,028 | $18,256 |
| 39 | Southwestern Oregon Community College Coos Bay, ORPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 26 | 40% | — | $27,727 |
| 40 | El Paso Community College El Paso, TXPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 26 | 24% | — | — |
| 41 | Utah Valley University Orem, UTPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 26 | 45% | — | $27,056 |
| 42 | Baker College Owosso, MIPrivate not-for-profitAssociate's | 25 | 36% | $15,493 | $25,204 |
| 43 | Grand Rapids Community College Grand Rapids, MIPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 25 | 21% | — | $27,630 |
| 44 | Seattle Central College Seattle, WAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 25 | 32% | — | — |
| 45 | Academia Serrant Inc Ponce, PRPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 25 | 88% | $7,589 | $13,563 |
| 46 | Florida Education Institute Miami, FLPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 25 | 74% | $36,343 | $20,531 |
| 47 | Hennepin Technical College Brooklyn Park, MNPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 24 | 42% | — | — |
| 48 | McHenry County College Crystal Lake, ILPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 23 | 37% | — | — |
| 49 | Nunez Community College Chalmette, LAPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 23 | 27% | — | — |
| 50 | Trident Technical College Charleston, SCPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 23 | 30% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Culinary Arts and Related Services field (CIP 12.05) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 40 states & territories
Where Baking and Pastry Arts/Baker/Pastry Chef graduates come from. Each state links to all Culinary Arts and Related Services programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 51-3011, Bakers, and its national outlook.
Graduates can pursue careers as bakers or chefs and head cooks, with an annual job outlook of 39,900 openings and a growth rate of 5.6%. The median wage for bakers is $36,650, and many positions do not require formal educational credentials, making this an accessible career path.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 12.0501
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Bakersprimary SOC 51-3011 | $37,160 | +5.6% Faster than average | ~39,900 | No formal educational credential |
Chefs and Head Cooks SOC 35-1011 | $62,470 | +7.1% Faster than average | ~24,400 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Baking and Pastry Arts/Baker/Pastry Chef programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Check products for quality, and identify damaged or expired goods.
- Set oven temperatures, and place items into hot ovens for baking.
- Combine measured ingredients in bowls of mixing, blending, or cooking machinery.
- Place dough in pans, molds, or on sheets, and bake in production ovens or on grills.
- Set time and speed controls for mixing machines, blending machines, or steam kettles so that ingredients will be mixed or cooked according to instructions.
- Measure or weigh flour or other ingredients to prepare batters, doughs, fillings, or icings, using scales or graduated containers.
Tools and technology used
Other Culinary Arts and Related Services specializations
The 11 other 6-digit CIP codes under Culinary Arts and Related Services (CIP 12.05).
- Culinary Arts/CIP 12.0503
Chef Training 11,808 graduates / yr353 institutions - Cooking and Related Culinary ArtsCIP 12.05004,439 graduates / yr153 institutions
- Restaurant, Culinary, and Catering Management/CIP 12.0504
Manager 1,663 graduates / yr115 institutions - Food Preparation/CIP 12.0505
Professional Cooking/ Kitchen Assistant 1,230 graduates / yr56 institutions - Culinary Arts and Related ServicesCIP 12.0599312 graduates / yr17 institutions
- Culinary Science/CIP 12.0509
Culinology partial data261 graduates / yr8 institutions - Institutional Food WorkersCIP 12.0508187 graduates / yr13 institutions
- Bartending/CIP 12.0502
Bartender partial data171 graduates / yr8 institutions - Food Service, Waiter/CIP 12.0507
Waitress, and Dining Room Management/ Manager partial data129 graduates / yr9 institutions - Meat Cutting/CIP 12.0506
Meat Cutter 48 graduates / yr10 institutions - Wine Steward/CIP 12.0510
Sommelier limited data12 graduates / yr2 institutions
Common questions
What credentials can I earn from this program?+
You can earn an award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years, an Associate's degree, or an award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year.
What skills will I learn?+
You will learn skills such as monitoring, critical thinking, active listening, and mathematics, which are essential for success in baking.
What tasks will I perform as a baker?+
Tasks include checking product quality, setting oven temperatures, combining ingredients, and baking items according to instructions.
What is the job outlook for bakers?+
The job outlook is faster than average, with 39,900 annual openings and a growth rate of 5.6%.
What is the CIP code for Baking and Pastry Arts/Baker/Pastry Chef?+
Baking and Pastry Arts/Baker/Pastry Chef is CIP 12.0501 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Culinary Arts and Related Services (CIP 12.05). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to serve as professional bakers and pastry specialists in restaurants or other commercial baking establishments. Includes instruction in bread and pastry making, bread and pastry handling and storage, cake and pastry decorating, baking industry operations, product packaging and marketing operations, and counter display and service.
How many institutions offer Baking and Pastry Arts/Baker/Pastry Chef programs?+
193 U.S. institutions reported Baking and Pastry Arts/Baker/Pastry Chef graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 40 states & territories, awarding 5,575 credentials in the year. That is 21.6% of all Culinary Arts and Related Services graduates.
How much do Baking and Pastry Arts/Baker/Pastry Chef graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Bakers occupation, which Baking and Pastry Arts/Baker/Pastry Chef most directly leads to, pays a median of $37,160 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Culinary Arts and Related Services field report median earnings of $25,682 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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