Which are the most affordable culinary schools in America? While the price tags at most culinary schools can be discouraging to aspiring students (considering it is an industry for which entry salaries are also low) there are in fact colleges and institutions which can prove to be a breath of relief.
The average annual out-of-state cost for culinary schools can be somewhere around $33,000 which can round about to an astounding $133,000 for the four years of bachelor’s degree studies. However, many students might opt for an associate’s degree instead which provide similar prospects but has a duration of only 2 years’ of study. Even though there are colleges costing much less than the average, with the most inexpensive college being Mountain State University in West Virginia which costs $16,000 annually, the average cost incurred in an associate’s degree is notably lower, coming to around $20,000 per year. This means for a $40,000 one can get their two year’s professional studies completed. No wonder the popularity of a professional course is rising by the day and more students are choosing two-year programs over a full-length degree. The Culinary Institute of America and Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts are by far the most popular schools in the country with over 800 and 600 major graduates in a year respectively.
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Yet another reason for the escalating popularity of associate degree colleges is the state-of-the-art facilities and infrastructure that they have in place. Even though the tuition is considerably lesser, these colleges in no way compromise with the amenities provided to their students. They also go an extra mile in providing world class kitchen experiences to attendees. Hence, for our list of the most affordable culinary schools in America, we are focusing on the associate degree colleges for they do rank very high on the affordability criteria.
Also, for Ivy League aspirants we have the 7 Most Affordable Ivy League Schools in the US, where they can find a suitable course for themselves. But those with a keen interest in culinary arts only, stay tuned as we check out the list of culinary colleges.
11. H. Councill Trenholm State Technical College
Total Annual Cost: $12,198
The largest culinary arts program in Alabama, Trenholm State Technical College’s Culinary Program has applications pouring in from all over the world. Whether it is career training, career advancement or job retention, their programs are helpful in providing students great prospects.
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10. Indian Hills Community College
Total Annual Cost: $12,168
Accredited to American Culinary Federation, their degrees are recognized professionally. The school boasts of renowned trainers and instructors as well as world-class kitchens to get practical training in.
9. Cochise College
Total Annual Cost: $12,140
The community college in Arizona provides a Culinary Arts – Associate of Applied Science degree. The degree prepares students for direct employment as assistants to the chef or food director. The college also provides apprenticeship certificates chefs, bakers and sous chef.
8. Del Mar College
Total Annual Cost: $12,017
Located in Corpus Christi, Texas, Del Mar College has a carefully crafted culinary program in place that provides students a stable landing into the food industry. The program focuses on comprehensive education, including on-job and off-campus experience building as well as on-campus course work with specializations available for bakers.
7. Chattahoochee Technical College
Total Annual Cost: $11,667
Chattahoochee Technical College claims to provide its students the best opportunities to hone their culinary skills and develop a deep understanding of a robust industry. They also provide students an early induction into the industry at the in-house student managed Café Rouge at their campus.
6. Texarkana College
Total Annual Cost: $11,574
The college invites and encourages food innovators and creative minds and boasts of 70% of their students gaining direct employment right out of their courses. The college is definitely one of the most affordable culinary schools in America with its associate degree course and certificate course in culinary arts.
5. Odesa College
Total Annual Cost: $11,014
Odessa College has two associate degree programs, namely in culinary arts and food management, along with a basic certificate program. The courses equip students with trade skills and in-depth knowledge of cooking and food service management to make them industry ready.
4. South Texas College
Total Annual Cost: $10,130
The college offers a two-year program and one-year certificate program in culinary arts. The certificate courses focus on two specializations namely baking and commercial cooking. All courses are tailored for building in-depth cooking concepts.
3. South Georgia Technical College
Total Annual Cost: $10,060
South Georgia Technical College provides an associate degree at reasonable costs and has financial aid options in place for students. The college is situated in Southwest Georgia and also has residential facilities available.
2. Galveston College
Total Annual Cost: $9,592
Galveston College’s Culinary Arts Associate of Applied Science Degree is an integrated course that prepares students as culinary professionals, teaching them theory combined with practice. The college strives to provide an affordable yet all-inclusive education for a good career standing.
1. North Georgia Technical College
Total Annual cost: $9,557
Diplomas and degrees offered by North Georgia Technical College are eligible for the Certified Culinary designation by American Culinary Federation. The super reasonable price tag might qualify it as the most affordable culinary school in America but that does in no way mean they are ready to compromise on the quality of training provided. The courses also offer an internship program under chefs.
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