Plenty of us enjoy cooking, but few take it to the professional level. However, for those who choose to go pro, the culinary industry presents a large job market with many different employment options and specialization and mobility.
However, while getting into the industry might not be difficult (there is always a need for dishwashers and table buses), working your way up to head chef or restaurant owner isn’t such a clear path.
The best Culinary Schools in America 2019 ranking is based on key statistics and student reviews using the U.S. Department of Education data. The ranking compares the top culinary schools in the U.S. Read more on calculating this ranking.
Here are the Best Culinary Schools in America 2019
10. Sullivan University
Sullivan University is a private, for-profit university. Although it offers numerous programs in other fields of study, Sullivan is probably best known for its culinary school division at its National Center for Hospitality Studies.
Its main campus is in Louisville, Kentucky, a city known for bourbon and a rapidly growing culinary scene; Sullivan has a second campus in nearby Lexington.
The programs at Sullivan are committed to ensuring career readiness, with options to focus on becoming a chef, a baker, or working in management and the unique opportunity of studying to work as a personal chef.
9. New England Culinary Institute
The New England Culinary Institute s a private, for-profit culinary school that offers numerous Bachelor’s and Associate degree and Certificate options,
New England Culinary Institute offers thorough, hands-on programs that emphasize on-the-job experience through internships (requiring two each for Associate and Bachelor’s degree programs). Its study options include Business Management, Culinary Arts and Baking to prepare students for a career in running a kitchen, not just working in one.
8. Robert Morris University – Illinois
Robert Morris Illinois is a private university located in Chicago, Illinois. It is a small institution with an enrollment of 1,895 undergraduate students.
Another unique option at Robert Morris University – Illinois is the Accelerated Associate of Applied Science degree in Culinary Arts, designed for those with a Bachelor’s degree in another subject. Suppose the Culinary Arts aren’t your first field of study. If perhaps you are coming to it later in life, this could be an attractive option for you, as it will allow you to skip the general education requirements and complete your degree faster.
7. Metropolitan Community College Nebraska
Metropolitan Community College Nebraska is a public, not-for-profit institution that offers several Associate degree and Certificate options to study the culinary arts and culinary industry management.
The goal of Metropolitan Community College Nebraska is to provide quality, low-cost education that prepares students for careers as chefs, restaurant managers, and more. While it may not have all of the perks of a private school, its four-figure tuition price tag is hard to beat; Metropolitan Community College Nebraska is the school with the lowest cost of tuition on this list.
6.Keiser University
The AS in Culinary Arts degree program at Keiser University is accredited by the American Culinary Foundation and recognized by the World Association of Chef Societies.
This top culinary school offers courses in American and international cuisine and specialty areas such as pastry and desserts. In addition, students complete a 12-credit-hour internship at the end of the program. Graduates are well prepared for entry-level positions in the culinary field and are an asset to hotels, restaurants, and cruise ships.
5. Johnson & Wales University-North Miami
Johnson and Wales University is one of the best culinary schools in America. They have campuses all over the country, which means there is likely one near you. They offer a variety of programs, from associate’s degrees to master’s degrees. Their professors are experienced chefs who can teach you everything you need to know about the culinary industry.
4. Louisiana Culinary Institute
Louisiana Culinary Institute. is an above-average for-profit college located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. It is a small institution with an enrollment of 179 undergraduate students,
Students at Louisiana Culinary Institute gain valuable knowledge and training to pursue various culinary industry careers through hands-on education mixed with theoretical and classroom discussion. Additionally, students gain on-the-job experience through internships and can develop professional connections, which might lead to a job offer pending graduation.
As Louisiana Culinary Institute is located in New Orleans, students have unique opportunities to study the local Cajun cuisine in one of the best-known food cities in the world.
3. Johnson & Wales University – Charlotte
Johnson & Wales – Charlotte is a private university located in Charlotte, North Carolina. It is a small institution with an enrollment of 1,862 undergraduate students. Undoubtedly, Johnson and Wales University is one of the top culinary schools in the country, if not the world. Johnson and Wales have been around for over 100 years and has been recognized by US News and World Report, Money, and The President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll.
Johnson and Wales have over 100,000 alumni worldwide, with campuses in four different states. Hands-on learning is a part of the program, and students receive plenty of individualized attention with an 18:1 student-faculty ratio. As a result, students graduate with the skills and knowledge to be lifelong learners and be successful in their culinary careers.
2. Culinary Institute of America
The Culinary Institute of America at Hyde Park, NY, is a highly regarded culinary school headquartered in Hyde Park, New York. Culinary Institute of America also has campuses in Napa and St. Helena, California, San Antonio, Texas, and Singapore.
Its status as private and not-for-profit makes CIA unique among schools that focus solely on culinary training (most are for-profit) and helps ensure that it provides a top-notch education to its students. In addition, it is the first school to offer an Associate degree program in culinary arts and a Bachelor’s degree program.
1. Culinary Institute Lenotre
Culinary Institute Lenotre, located in Houston, TX, is a culinary school that provides professional cooking classes and continued education training for chefs and pastry chefs looking to learn classic and modern techniques. Learn the fundamental culinary methods of classical and contemporary pastries, bread, cake, ice cream, and confections. The hospitality industry is growing fast and provides an array of rewarding management positions.
The schools focus on quality over quantity, offering two Certificate program options to study Culinary Arts and Pastry Arts built on a dedicated focus on skill, knowledge, and job readiness.
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