Best institutions to study Restaurant, Culinary, and Catering Management/Manager
A program that prepares individuals to plan, supervise, and manage food and beverage preparation and service operations, restaurant facilities, and catering services.
115 U.S. institutions graduated 1,663 Restaurant, Culinary, and Catering Management/Manager students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 12.0504, a specialization of Culinary Arts and Related Services (CIP 12.05), and leads most directly to the Food Service Managers occupation (BLS SOC 11-9051).
About Restaurant, Culinary, and Catering Management/Manager programs
A program that prepares individuals to plan, supervise, and manage food and beverage preparation and service operations, restaurant facilities, and catering services. Includes instruction in food/beverage industry operations, cost control, purchasing and storage, business administration, logistics, personnel management, culinary arts, restaurant and menu planning, executive chef functions, event planning and management, health and safety, insurance, and applicable law and regulations.
See also: 52.0905 - Restaurant/Food Services Management.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Restaurant, Culinary, and Catering Management/Manager program prepares students for a career in the culinary arts and related services. It is designed for individuals interested in managing food and beverage operations, restaurant facilities, and catering services, providing a comprehensive foundation in the culinary field. This program is ideal for those who aspire to lead in the vibrant world of food service and hospitality.
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Students will gain essential skills in food and beverage industry operations, cost control, business administration, event planning, and health and safety regulations. Coursework emphasizes critical thinking, customer service, and effective communication, equipping graduates to excel in various culinary settings.
Credentials awarded
What Restaurant, Culinary, and Catering Management/Manager graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year774 graduates / yr · 51 institutions47%
- Associate's degree670 graduates / yr · 80 institutions40%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years150 graduates / yr · 25 institutions9.0%
- Bachelor's degree67 graduates / yr · 5 institutions4.0%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years2 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
Graduates over time
Restaurant, Culinary, and Catering Management/Manager completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 2,447 |
| 2013 | 2,698 |
| 2014 | 2,826 |
| 2015 | 2,800 |
| 2016 | 2,729 |
| 2017 | 2,455 |
| 2018 | 2,045 |
| 2019 | 1,802 |
| 2020 | 1,677 |
| 2021 | 1,380 |
| 2022 | 1,394 |
| 2023 | 1,291 |
| 2024 | 1,343 |
| 2025 | 1,663 |
Top 50 institutions for Restaurant, Culinary, and Catering Management/Manager, 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 | Valencia College Orlando, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 103 | 48% | — | $25,227 |
| 2 | Institute of Culinary Education New York, NYPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 96 | — | — | $22,759 |
| 3 | Arkansas State University - Newport Newport, ARPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 82 | 46% | — | — |
| 4 | Miami Dade College Miami, FLPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 77 | 46% | — | $31,101 |
| 5 | Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts - Boulder Boulder, COPrivate for-profitAssociate's | 74 | 48% | $13,643 | $25,682 |
| 6 | Southeast Community College Area Lincoln, NEPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 60 | 38% | — | $36,734 |
| 7 | Anne Arundel Community College Arnold, MDPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 59 | 31% | — | — |
| 8 | Universidad Ana G. Mendez - Carolina Campus Carolina, PRPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 45 | 34% | $8,847 | $14,017 |
| 9 | Laney College Oakland, CAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 38 | 31% | — | — |
| 10 | CUNY Kingsborough Community College Brooklyn, NYPublicAssociate's | 38 | 28% | — | — |
| 11 | College of Lake County Grayslake, ILPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 37 | 37% | — | — |
| 12 | Sinclair Community College Dayton, OHPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 36 | 41% | — | $28,037 |
| 13 | St Philip's College San Antonio, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 36 | 28% | — | — |
| 14 | Utah Valley University Orem, UTPublicAssociate's | 36 | 45% | — | $27,056 |
| 15 | Indian River State College Fort Pierce, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 34 | 45% | — | — |
| 16 | Los Angeles Mission College Sylmar, CAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 30 | 20% | — | — |
| 17 | Emily Griffith Technical College Denver, COPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 30 | 97% | — | $22,599 |
| 18 | Howard Community College Columbia, MDPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 28 | 24% | — | — |
| 19 | American River College Sacramento, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 26 | 37% | — | — |
| 20 | Colorado Mountain College Glenwood Springs, COPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 26 | 27% | — | — |
| 21 | Lemoore College Lemoore, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 26 | 49% | — | — |
| 22 | San Jacinto Community College Pasadena, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 23 | 30% | — | — |
| 23 | Institute of Culinary Education Pasadena, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 23 | 77% | — | $22,759 |
| 24 | Lincoln Land Community College Springfield, ILPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 20 | 48% | — | — |
| 25 | Pensacola State College Pensacola, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 18 | 36% | — | — |
| 26 | West Georgia Technical College Waco, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 18 | 35% | — | — |
| 27 | Wiregrass Georgia Technical College Valdosta, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 18 | 50% | — | — |
| 28 | Elgin Community College Elgin, ILPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 17 | 41% | — | — |
| 29 | Columbia College Sonora, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 16 | 27% | — | — |
| 30 | Mission College Santa Clara, CAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 16 | 39% | — | — |
| 31 | Broward College Fort Lauderdale, FLPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 16 | 39% | — | — |
| 32 | Florida State College at Jacksonville Jacksonville, FLPublicAssociate's | 16 | 37% | — | — |
| 33 | Johnson County Community College Overland Park, KSPublicAssociate's | 16 | 31% | — | $38,977 |
| 34 | Central Community College Grand Island, NEPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 16 | 48% | — | — |
| 35 | Alaska Vocational Technical Center Seward, AKPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 15 | 100% | — | — |
| 36 | South Georgia Technical College Americus, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 15 | 61% | — | — |
| 37 | Los Angeles Trade Technical College Los Angeles, CAPublicAssociate's | 14 | 35% | — | — |
| 38 | Moraine Valley Community College Palos Hills, ILPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 14 | 40% | — | — |
| 39 | Nunez Community College Chalmette, LAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 14 | 27% | — | — |
| 40 | Daytona State College Daytona Beach, FLPublicAssociate's | 13 | 43% | — | — |
| 41 | Georgia Northwestern Technical College Rome, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 12 | 43% | — | — |
| 42 | Allan Hancock College Santa Maria, CAPublicAssociate's | 11 | 26% | — | — |
| 43 | Hillsborough College Tampa, FLPublicAssociate's | 11 | 34% | — | $29,451 |
| 44 | College of Southern Nevada Las Vegas, NVPublicBachelor's | 11 | 19% | — | $22,428 |
| 45 | SUNY Westchester Community College Valhalla, NYPublicAssociate's | 11 | 25% | — | — |
| 46 | Remington College - Memphis Campus Memphis, TNPrivate not-for-profitAssociate's | 11 | 38% | $26,048 | $25,389 |
| 47 | Waukesha County Technical College Pewaukee, WIPublicAssociate's | 10 | 44% | — | — |
| 48 | Southern Crescent Technical College Griffin, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 9 | 58% | — | — |
| 49 | North Georgia Technical College Clarkesville, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 9 | 39% | — | $17,383 |
| 50 | Santa Rosa Junior College Santa Rosa, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 8 | 37% | — | — |
* 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 35 states & territories
Where Restaurant, Culinary, and Catering Management/Manager graduates come from. Each state links to all Culinary Arts and Related Services programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 11-9051, Food Service Managers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of this program can pursue careers as Food Service Managers, with a job outlook that is faster than average, featuring an annual growth rate of 6.4%. There are approximately 42,000 annual job openings in this field, with a median wage of $65,310. Typical education required includes a high school diploma or equivalent.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 12.0504
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Food Service Managersprimary SOC 11-9051 | $69,390 | +6.4% Faster than average | ~42,000 | High school diploma or equivalent |
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 |
Chefs and Head Cooks SOC 35-1011 | $62,470 | +7.1% Faster than average | ~24,400 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Cooks, Private Household SOC 35-2013 | $47,940 | +5.1% Faster than average | ~5,300 | Postsecondary nondegree award |
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 Restaurant, Culinary, and Catering Management/Manager 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
- Count money and make bank deposits.
- Establish standards for personnel performance and customer service.
- Keep records required by government agencies regarding sanitation or food subsidies.
- Schedule staff hours and assign duties.
- Investigate and resolve complaints regarding food quality, service, or accommodations.
- Maintain food and equipment inventories, and keep inventory records.
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 - Cooking and Related Culinary ArtsCIP 12.05004,439 graduates / yr153 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 degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn an Award of at least 12 weeks, an Associate's degree, or an Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in speaking, active listening, critical thinking, and customer service.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a Food Service Manager, First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation, Chef, or Cook.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook is strong, with a growth rate of 6.4% and approximately 42,000 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Restaurant, Culinary, and Catering Management/Manager?+
Restaurant, Culinary, and Catering Management/Manager is CIP 12.0504 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 plan, supervise, and manage food and beverage preparation and service operations, restaurant facilities, and catering services. Includes instruction in food/beverage industry operations, cost control, purchasing and storage, business administration, logistics, personnel management, culinary arts, restaurant and menu planning, executive chef functions, event planning and management, health and safety, insurance, and applicable law and regulations.
How many institutions offer Restaurant, Culinary, and Catering Management/Manager programs?+
115 U.S. institutions reported Restaurant, Culinary, and Catering Management/Manager graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 35 states & territories, awarding 1,663 credentials in the year. That is 6.4% of all Culinary Arts and Related Services graduates.
How much do Restaurant, Culinary, and Catering Management/Manager graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Food Service Managers occupation, which Restaurant, Culinary, and Catering Management/Manager most directly leads to, pays a median of $69,390 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Culinary Arts and Related Services field report median earnings of $25,597 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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