Best colleges for Culinary Arts and Related Services in Washington
Ranked by graduate earnings
Seattle Central College, Clark College and Olympic College award the most Culinary Arts and Related Services degrees and certificates in Washington: 57, 39 and 29 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 15 Washington colleges offer Culinary Arts and Related Services and award 316 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 institution, 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 | Spokane Community College Spokane Public · Certificate | $23,529 | 29 | 33% | — | — |
Colleges awarding the most Culinary Arts and Related Services degrees in Washington
Top 10 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 | Seattle Central College Seattle Public | 57 | Not reported |
| 2 | Clark College Vancouver Public | 39 | Not reported |
| 3 | Olympic College Bremerton Public | 29 | Not reported |
| 4 | Spokane Community College Spokane Public | 29 | $23,529 |
| 5 | Clover Park Technical College Lakewood Public | 28 | Not reported |
| 6 | South Seattle College Seattle Public | 27 | Not reported |
| 7 | Lake Washington Institute of Technology Kirkland Public | 24 | Not reported |
| 8 | Renton Technical College Renton Public | 21 | Not reported |
| 9 | South Puget Sound Community College Olympia Public | 17 | Not reported |
| 10 | Bellingham Technical College Bellingham Public | 15 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 5 Washington colleges offering Culinary Arts and Related Services
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edmonds College | Lynnwood | Public | 9 |
| Bates Technical College | Tacoma | Public | 8 |
| Walla Walla Community College | Walla Walla | Public | 6 |
| Skagit Valley College | Mount Vernon | Public | 5 |
| Peninsula College | Port Angeles | Public | 2 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Cooks, Restaurant (SOC 35-2014).
Top skills
What Cooks, Restaurant earn in Washington
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Culinary Arts and Related Services programs in Washington.
Which Washington colleges award the most Culinary Arts and Related Services degrees?+
Seattle Central College (57 graduates a year), Clark College (39 graduates a year) and Olympic College (29 graduates a year) award the most Culinary Arts and Related Services degrees and certificates in Washington, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 15 Washington colleges offer Culinary Arts and Related Services.
Which Culinary Arts and Related Services program in Washington has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Spokane Community College tops the list at $23,529. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Cooks, Restaurant earn in Washington?+
The average annual wage for Cooks, Restaurant in Washington is $47,200 (median $46,800), across about 35,140 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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