Best institutions to study Cooking and Related Culinary Arts
A program that focuses on the general study of the cooking and related culinary arts, and that may prepare individuals for a variety of jobs within the food service industry.
153 U.S. institutions graduated 4,439 Cooking and Related Culinary Arts students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 12.0500, a specialization of Culinary Arts and Related Services (CIP 12.05), and leads most directly to the Cooks, Restaurant occupation (BLS SOC 35-2014).
About Cooking and Related Culinary Arts programs
A program that focuses on the general study of the cooking and related culinary arts, and that may prepare individuals for a variety of jobs within the food service industry. Includes instruction in food preparation, cooking techniques, equipment operation and maintenance, sanitation and safety, communication skills, applicable regulations, and principles of food service management.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Cooking and Related Culinary Arts program focuses on the general study of culinary techniques and food preparation. It is designed for individuals seeking to enter the diverse food service industry, providing essential skills for various culinary roles. This program is ideal for those passionate about cooking and looking to develop their expertise in a professional setting.
Students will gain knowledge in food production, cooking techniques, sanitation, and safety. Coursework typically covers critical skills such as food storage, equipment operation, and principles of food service management, ensuring graduates are well-prepared for the culinary workforce.
Credentials awarded
What Cooking and Related Culinary Arts graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year1,762 graduates / yr · 78 institutions40%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years1,548 graduates / yr · 82 institutions35%
- Associate's degree1,034 graduates / yr · 81 institutions23%
- Award of less than 12 weeks91 graduates / yr · 4 institutions2.1%
- Bachelor's degree4 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.1%
Graduates over time
Cooking and Related Culinary Arts completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 3,552 |
| 2013 | 3,813 |
| 2014 | 3,839 |
| 2015 | 4,071 |
| 2016 | 4,617 |
| 2017 | 4,688 |
| 2018 | 4,467 |
| 2019 | 4,807 |
| 2020 | 3,796 |
| 2021 | 3,156 |
| 2022 | 3,302 |
| 2023 | 3,586 |
| 2024 | 4,165 |
| 2025 | 4,439 |
Top 50 institutions for Cooking and Related Culinary Arts, 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 | NUC University Bayamon, PRPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 379 | 54% | $9,377 | $12,403 |
| 2 | Francis Tuttle Technology Center Oklahoma City, OKPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 160 | 52% | — | $20,284 |
| 3 | Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts - Boulder Boulder, COPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 139 | 48% | $13,643 | $25,682 |
| 4 | Los Angeles Trade Technical College Los Angeles, CAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 135 | 35% | — | — |
| 5 | Culinary Institute Inc Houston, TXPrivate for-profitAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 104 | 100% | $27,563 | $28,089 |
| 6 | Riverside City College Riverside, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 102 | 37% | — | — |
| 7 | Los Angeles Mission College Sylmar, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 101 | 20% | — | — |
| 8 | Orange Coast College Costa Mesa, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 88 | 48% | — | — |
| 9 | Southwestern College Chula Vista, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 88 | 35% | — | — |
| 10 | Kapiolani Community College Honolulu, HIPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 80 | 22% | — | $26,882 |
| 11 | Cerritos College Norwalk, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 79 | 31% | — | — |
| 12 | Long Beach City College Long Beach, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 79 | 30% | — | — |
| 13 | Cabrillo College Aptos, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 76 | 38% | — | — |
| 14 | Yavapai College Prescott, AZPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 62 | 34% | — | — |
| 15 | Cuesta College San Luis Obispo, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 62 | 48% | — | — |
| 16 | Grossmont College El Cajon, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 58 | 37% | — | — |
| 17 | Northeast Technology Center Pryor, OKPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 58 | 97% | — | — |
| 18 | Hinds Community College Raymond, MSPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 57 | 43% | — | — |
| 19 | Cypress College Cypress, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 55 | 37% | — | — |
| 20 | Pikes Peak State College Colorado Springs, COPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 54 | 21% | — | — |
| 21 | College of Southern Nevada Las Vegas, NVPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 54 | 19% | — | $22,428 |
| 22 | J Sargeant Reynolds Community College Richmond, VAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 54 | 32% | — | — |
| 23 | Lincoln College of Technology - Columbia Columbia, MDPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 53 | 68% | $30,638 | $24,128 |
| 24 | Remington College - Memphis Campus Memphis, TNPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 53 | 38% | $26,048 | $25,389 |
| 25 | Laney College Oakland, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 51 | 31% | — | — |
| 26 | Diablo Valley College Pleasant Hill, CAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 50 | 49% | — | — |
| 27 | Colorado Mesa University Grand Junction, COPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 50 | 41% | — | — |
| 28 | National Holistic Institute Emeryville, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 47 | 80% | $31,040 | — |
| 29 | New Orleans Culinary and Hospitality Institute New Orleans, LAPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 47 | 75% | — | — |
| 30 | College of the Canyons Santa Clarita, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 46 | 45% | — | — |
| 31 | Los Angeles Harbor College Wilmington, CAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 45 | 36% | — | — |
| 32 | College of the Sequoias Visalia, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 42 | 39% | — | — |
| 33 | Rappahannock Community College Glenns, VAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 41 | 45% | — | — |
| 34 | Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, FLPrivate not-for-profitAssociate's | 40 | 61% | $35,483 | $28,159 |
| 35 | Central New Mexico Community College Albuquerque, NMPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 40 | 31% | — | $23,139 |
| 36 | Madison Area Technical College Madison, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 38 | 29% | — | — |
| 37 | San Diego Mesa College San Diego, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 36 | 35% | — | — |
| 38 | Tidewater Community College Norfolk, VAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 36 | 32% | — | $21,368 |
| 39 | Virginia Western Community College Roanoke, VAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 36 | 40% | — | — |
| 40 | Indian Capital Technology Center - Muskogee Muskogee, OKPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 36 | 100% | — | — |
| 41 | San Joaquin Delta College Stockton, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 34 | 35% | — | — |
| 42 | Leeward Community College Pearl City, HIPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 34 | 35% | — | — |
| 43 | Dorsey College - Roseville Roseville, MIPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 34 | 35% | $23,871 | — |
| 44 | Lincoln Technical Institute - Shelton Shelton, CTPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 32 | 65% | $36,321 | $24,128 |
| 45 | Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Perkinston, MSPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 31 | 48% | — | — |
| 46 | Saddleback College Mission Viejo, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 30 | 48% | — | — |
| 47 | Santa Rosa Junior College Santa Rosa, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of less than 12 weeksAssociate's | 30 | 37% | — | — |
| 48 | Florida Education Institute Miami, FLPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 30 | 74% | $36,343 | $20,531 |
| 49 | Pima Community College Tucson, AZPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 29 | 28% | — | — |
| 50 | Columbia College Sonora, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 29 | 27% | — | — |
* 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 36 states & territories
Where Cooking and Related Culinary Arts graduates come from. Each state links to all Culinary Arts and Related Services programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 35-2014, Cooks, Restaurant, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Cooking and Related Culinary Arts program can pursue careers as cooks, chefs, and food service supervisors. The job outlook is promising, with a growth rate of 14.9% and approximately 250,700 annual openings. The median wage for cooks is around $36,830, and many positions do not require formal educational credentials.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 12.0500
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Cooks, Restaurantprimary SOC 35-2014 | $37,390 | +14.9% Much faster than average | ~250,700 | No formal educational credential |
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers SOC 35-1012 | $44,080 | +6.0% Faster than average | ~183,900 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria SOC 35-2012 | $37,450 | +2.0% About as fast as average | ~69,700 | 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 |
Cooks, All Other SOC 35-2019 | $37,690 | +5.5% Faster than average | ~3,700 | No formal educational credential |
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 Cooking and Related Culinary Arts 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
- Ensure food is stored and cooked at correct temperature by regulating temperature of ovens, broilers, grills, and roasters.
- Inspect and clean food preparation areas, such as equipment, work surfaces, and serving areas, to ensure safe and sanitary food-handling practices.
- Portion, arrange, and garnish food, and serve food to waiters or patrons.
- Ensure freshness of food and ingredients by checking for quality, keeping track of old and new items, and rotating stock.
- Season and cook food according to recipes or personal judgment and experience.
- Coordinate and supervise work of kitchen staff.
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 - Baking and Pastry Arts/CIP 12.0501
Baker/ Pastry Chef 5,575 graduates / yr193 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 types of awards can I earn in this program?+
You can earn various awards, including those lasting less than 12 weeks, at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year, at least 1 but less than 2 academic years, or an Associate's degree.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop critical thinking, communication, and active listening skills, along with knowledge in food production and customer service.
What careers can I pursue after completing this program?+
You can work as a restaurant cook, chef, or first-line supervisor in food preparation and serving.
What is the job outlook for culinary arts graduates?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with a growth rate of 14.9% and around 250,700 annual job openings.
What is the CIP code for Cooking and Related Culinary Arts?+
Cooking and Related Culinary Arts is CIP 12.0500 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 focuses on the general study of the cooking and related culinary arts, and that may prepare individuals for a variety of jobs within the food service industry. Includes instruction in food preparation, cooking techniques, equipment operation and maintenance, sanitation and safety, communication skills, applicable regulations, and principles of food service management.
How many institutions offer Cooking and Related Culinary Arts programs?+
153 U.S. institutions reported Cooking and Related Culinary Arts graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 36 states & territories, awarding 4,439 credentials in the year. That is 17.2% of all Culinary Arts and Related Services graduates.
How much do Cooking and Related Culinary Arts graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Cooks, Restaurant occupation, which Cooking and Related Culinary Arts most directly leads to, pays a median of $37,390 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Culinary Arts and Related Services field report median earnings of $24,669 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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