Comparing Culinary Education Options

• Culinary Certificates and Diplomas
  
  • Hobby chefs, beginning culinary students, and culinary students unsure of their commitment to pursuing culinary arts as a career
    
  • Where They’re Offered: Culinary institutes, universities, community colleges, and trade schools
    
  • Time Commitment: One to two years
    
  • Pre-requisites: High school diploma or GED equivalent; practical experience may be required
    
  • Cost: low hundreds to mid-thousands
• Culinary associate’s degree
  
  • Who Should Apply: Culinary students committed to pursuing a culinary arts career
    
  • Where They’re Offered: Culinary institutes, universities, and community colleges
    
  • Time Commitment: Approximately two years
    
  • Pre-requisites: High school diploma or GED equivalent, practical experience a plus. Some higher-end institutions may require mandatory practical experience or scholastic achievement.
    
  • Cost: High hundreds to high thousands
• Bachelor’s degree
  
  • Who Should Apply: Culinary Students interested in management positions in restaurants or hotels, and chefs hoping to one day own their own restaurant or catering company
    
  • Where They’re Offered: Culinary institutes and universities
    
  • Time Commitment: Two to four years, depending on practical experience and prior education
    
  • Pre-requisites: The pre-requisites required for a bachelor’s degree vary widely. At a minimum, a high school diploma and SAT or ACT scores are required. However, all schools offering bachelor’s degrees set different criteria and standards for admissions. The more competitive Culinary Schools will require higher grade point averages, higher SAT or ACT scores, and greater practical experience.
    
  • Cost: Low thousands to high thousands

Individual Culinary Schools all supply detailed brochures outlining their programs, complete with curriculum, descriptions, requirements, and costs associated with each program.

Last Updated: 08/08/2012

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