How much does culinary school cost?
How much does culinary school cost?
$20,000 – $60,000 average tuition cost at a private school
$8,000 – $13,500 average tuition cost at a community college
Culinary school cost
Culinary school costs $20,000 to $60,000 for tuition and fees at a private school or $8,000 to $13,500 at a community college. Additional expenses for knives and other tools, chef uniforms, and textbooks range from $1,000 to $2,200. The total cost of culinary school depends on the program type and the courses included.
| Culinary school | Average cost* |
|---|---|
| Culinary Institute of America | $75,000 – $97,000 |
| Institute of Culinary Education | $35,000 – $43,250 |
| Le Cordon Bleu | $24,000 – $58,600 |
| Johnson & Wales University | $84,000 – $86,000 |
| Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts | $18,100 – $37,400 |
| Walnut Hill College | $59,000 – $60,000 |
| Kendall College at National Louis University | $26,800 – $62,600 |
| Culinary Institute LeNotre | $22,000 – $39,000 |
| Arizona Culinary Institute | $29,500 – $30,000 |
| Local community colleges | $8,000 – $13,500 |
*For an Associates degree, diploma, or certificate; tuition and fees only.
Most culinary schools offer two programs:
Culinary Arts
Baking & Pastry Arts
Some schools also offer specialty programs like Hospitality Management, Restaurant & Culinary Management, and Plant-Based Culinary Arts.
Additional culinary school costs
In addition to tuition and fees, culinary school students must purchase chef uniforms and kitchen tools. Some schools sell kits containing all the required tools and supplies for their program, while other schools require students to purchase the items from third-party vendors.
| Tools & supplies | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Textbooks | $600 – $1,000 |
| Uniforms / attire (chef coats, pants, aprons, & hats) |
$200 – $500 |
| Kitchen tools (knife kit, pastry kit, measuring tools, thermometer, steel sharpener) |
$200 – $700 |
| Total cost | $1,000 – $2,200 |
Cost of culinary school Continuing Education Programs
Many culinary schools offer Continuing Education Programs (CEPs) or specialized certificate programs that allow students to learn new techniques or expand their skills. Costs for these programs range from $650 to $2,000 for 1- to 4-day workshops to $10,000 to $16,000 for courses lasting 8 to 20 weeks.
Popular programs include:
Artisan Bread Baking
Cake Decorating
Intensive Sommelier Training
Introduction to Plant-Based Cooking
Advanced Plant-Based Cooking
Meat & Seafood Processing
Artisanal Chocolate Workshop
Culinary Cannabis and Edibles
Food Service Management
Personal Chef Business Development
Culinary school cost factors
The biggest factors impacting the cost of culinary school include:
Public vs. private school: Costs are significantly lower for programs at community colleges and public schools compared to private culinary schools. However, well-known private schools have more name recognition and sometimes provide more networking opportunities.
Program type: Total costs are higher for culinary school programs that grant an Associate in Science (A.S.) or Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree compared to certificate and diploma programs.
Location: Culinary schools in major metropolitan areas like New York City and Los Angeles tend to cost more than in other areas of the country.
Travel & study-abroad experiences: Some students choose to spend a semester studying in another country to immerse themselves in the region's cuisine and learn directly from local chefs. A few schools, like Walnut Hill College, include international study as part of their tuition, but most schools charge extra.
Housing: Many culinary schools do not offer on-campus housing. When budgeting for your education, remember to factor in the average cost of rent and other living expenses in the school's location.
Additional fees: Many schools charge extra for application fees, technology fees, lab fees, or insurance. Some schools also charge a $50 to $300 graduation fee.
Culinary school FAQs
What is culinary school?
Culinary school teaches the art and science of food preparation, cooking, plating and presentation, and serving. Students learn various cooking techniques and styles, knife skills, food safety, and more. Common topics covered include:
Sauces, stocks, and soups
Flavors and food or ingredient pairing
Dry and moist heat cooking methods
Methods of preparing proteins
Food science
Correct use of specific tools and pans
Sanitation and safety
Food presentation
Regional and international cuisines
Pastry techniques
Nutrition
Restaurant business skills
How long is culinary school?
Most culinary school programs range from 8 months to 2 years long. Programs that grant an Associate in Science (A.S.) or Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Culinary Arts degree typically last two years. Some schools also offer Bachelors and Masters degree programs lasting four years or more.
Is culinary school worth it?
Culinary school is expensive, and whether it is worth it or not depends on your goals, budget, and prior experience in the industry.
Attending culinary school may not be worth the cost for individuals who already have several years of experience working in a professional kitchen. For those entering the field or who plan to open their own fine-dining restaurant, culinary school may provide the necessary skills and networking opportunities.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
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Consider working in a restaurant kitchen for about a year before deciding if culinary school is right for you.
How much do chefs make?
The average chef salary is $39,000 to $65,000 per year, depending on the location. Chefs in major metropolitan areas sometimes earn as much as $75,000 to $95,000 per year.
What are the best culinary schools in the world?
Some of the most well-respected culinary schools in the world include:
Culinary Institute of America
Johnson & Wales University
Le Cordon Bleu
Institute of Culinary Education
Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts
Culinary Arts Academy of Switzerland
Culinary Institute of Barcelona
Apicius International School of Hospitality
Is culinary school hard?
Culinary school is fast-paced and challenging, especially for those who have never worked in a professional kitchen before. Even experienced students will learn new techniques and the science behind them.
Can you do culinary school online?
Yes, several schools like the Institute of Culinary Education and the August Escoffier School of Culinary Arts offer online programs.
What to look for in a culinary school
When evaluating culinary schools, follow these tips to ensure you choose the best school for you:
Talk to professionals in the industry about their experience at culinary school.
Tour the school in person to see the on-campus kitchens and speak with current students about their experience at the school.
Ask about the faculty experience levels and the average class size.
Choose a program that includes an internship or externship in a professional kitchen.
Compare the total cost to attend the school versus your expected salary after graduation.
Apply for scholarships from:
Your state's Restaurant Association scholarship fund
Competition-based scholarships like the National ProStart Invitational
Select an accredited program that is ACF-certified.
Look for schools with a strong alumni network to help you connect with potential employers.
Consider taking cooking classes near you for hands-on experience before investing in a culinary arts program.
Using our proprietary cost database, in-depth research, and collaboration with industry experts, we deliver accurate, up-to-date pricing and insights you can trust, every time.