Culinary Arts
Program Summary
A program that prepares individuals to provide professional chef and related cooking services in restaurants and other commercial food establishments. Includes instruction in recipe and menu planning, preparing and cooking of foods, supervising and training kitchen assistants, the management of food supplies and kitchen resources, aesthetics of food presentation, and familiarity or mastery of a wide variety of cuisines and culinary techniques.
Discover More About a Degree in Culinary Arts
Recent Questions
What is Culinary Arts?
Culinary arts is the field of study that provides individuals with skills and knowledge in the various aspects of cooking, baking, and other forms of food preparation. The term culinary arts is an umbrella under which the many varieties of and specializations are found under, such as chef, baker, restaurant manager, line cook and others. Individuals working in the culinary arts work closely with food and must abide by health standards put forth by the government for the preparation and serving of food. Culinary arts is a very large field that allows for exceptional variety in one's work choices.
Educational Requirements
Obtaining a degree in culinary arts requires the student to understand a variety of techniques for cooking, knowledge of cuisines, and how the food business operates. Some programs may have externship programs to assist students in obtaining practical experience in a real world setting. Those interested in pursuing a degree in culinary arts can choose to go to a culinary school, vocational school, community college, or four year institution.
Various topics will be covered in a culinary arts education, including:
- International Cuisine
- Business and Finance
- Nutrition
- Sauces, Soups and Starches
- Butchery
Many schools offer career placement along with their culinary arts program to assist students in finding work after graduation. Some schools may have agreements with established restaurants or kitchens and offer practical internship opportunities alongside their more structured education. Aspiring chefs will do well to take advantage of any opportunities or contacts that may become available through their culinary arts program.
Once one begins a career in culinary arts he or she may choose to specialize in a particular type of cuisine. Individuals who wish to eventually open their own restaurant will typically have a broad understanding of world foods, but will learn and experiment with a particular style. Some chefs may consider combining styles of cuisine, often known as fusions, in order to introduce new flavors or experiment with a juxtaposition of flavors.
Styles of cuisine include:
- Vegetarian
- Fusion
- Ethiopian
- French
- Chinese
- South Caucasian
Employment Opportunities and Safety
An individual seeking a career in the culinary arts can have many opportunities available based on skill and experience. An individual can choose to specialize in certain foods, or focus more on operations, or even food development. Individuals will have to maintain cleanliness in the work place, following the safety laws and restaurant policy. Individuals in managerial positions will be responsible for ensuring that operations run smoothly and be responsible for customer service. The types of jobs available vary wildly, and more experienced individuals with a strong background in culinary arts may choose to eventually pursue their own restaurant.
Positions available to a graduate include:
- Hotel Manager
- Cooking Assistant
- Sous Chef
- Executive Chef
- Pastry Chef
- Restaurant Manager
- Food Scientist
- Line Cook
Individuals working in kitchens should take as many safety precautions as possible. Due to the hectic nature of professional kitchens, many hazards can harm an unwary individual. These include knives and cleavers, boiling soups, heated surfaces, and open fires. Individuals working in kitchens are prone to cuts and burns and those interested in a career in culinary arts should know of the potential harm.
Job Growth, Salary, and Related Fields
Culinary arts is a growing field and job opportunities are plentiful and varied. This is due to an increasing population and a growing trend among Americans for trying new and interesting foods and cuisines. Because the career paths of a culinary arts degree holder are many, the average salary depends entirely on field and position, the median salary for chefs and head cooks is approximately $40,500 per year.
If you are interested in a degree in culinary arts, you may also be interested in a degree for baking and pastry, meat cutting, or food service and management.
Top Schools That Offer a Culinary Arts Degree or Program
4-Year Colleges and Universities
| Ai Miami International University of Art and Design | |
- Miami, FL
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| Boise State University | |
- Boise, ID
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| Brigham Young University - Idaho | |
- Rexburg, ID
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| College of Coastal Georgia | |
- Brunswick, GA
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| College of Southern Nevada | |
- Las Vegas, NV
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| College of the Ozarks | |
- Point Lookout, MO
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| Colorado Mountain College | |
- Glenwood Springs, CO
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| Culinary Institute of America | |
- Hyde Park, NY
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| Daytona State College | |
- Daytona Beach, FL
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| Drexel University | |
- Philadelphia, PA
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| Ecpi College of Technology | |
- Virginia Beach, VA
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| Harrison College - Indianapolis | |
- Indianapolis, IN
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| Idaho State University | |
- Pocatello, ID
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| Indiana University of Pennsylvania | |
- Indiana, PA
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| Johnson & Wales University | |
- Providence, RI
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| Keiser University - Ft. Lauderdale | |
- Fort Lauderdale, FL
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| Kendall College | |
- Chicago, IL
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| Keystone College | |
- La Plume, PA
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| Lake Washington Institute of Technology | |
- Kirkland, WA
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| Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts-Scottsdale | |
- Scottsdale, AZ
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| Lincoln College of Technology-West Palm Beach | |
- West Palm Beach, FL
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| Mercyhurst College | |
- Erie, PA
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| Monroe College | |
- Bronx, NY
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| Mountain State University | |
- Beckley, WV
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| New England Culinary Institute | |
- Montpelier, VT
| 2011-12 Largest Program Tuition and Fees
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| Newbury College - Brookline | |
- Brookline, MA
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| Nicholls State University | |
- Thibodaux, LA
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| Oakland City University | |
- Oakland City, IN
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| Olympic College | |
- Bremerton, WA
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| Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science | |
- Paul Smiths, NY
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| Pennsylvania College of Technology | |
- Williamsport, PA
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| Pioneer Pacific College | |
- Wilsonville, OR
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| Robert Morris University Illinois | |
- Chicago, IL
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| Saint Augustine College | |
- Chicago, IL
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| Seattle Community College - Central Campus | |
- Seattle, WA
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| Seattle Community College - South Campus | |
- Seattle, WA
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| South Texas College | |
- McAllen, TX
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| Southern New Hampshire University | |
- Manchester, NH
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| Stratford University | |
- Falls Church, VA
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| Sullivan University | |
- Louisville, KY
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| Suny College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill | |
- Cobleskill, NY
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| Suny College of Technology at Alfred | |
- Alfred, NY
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| Suny College of Technology at Delhi | |
- Delhi, NY
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| The Art Institute of Atlanta | |
- Atlanta, GA
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| The Art Institute of Colorado | |
- Denver, CO
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| The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale | |
- Fort Lauderdale, FL
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| The Art Institute of Houston | |
- Houston, TX
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| The Art Institute of Philadelphia | |
- Philadelphia, PA
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| The Art Institute of Phoenix | |
- Phoenix, AZ
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| The Art Institute of Pittsburgh | |
- Pittsburgh, PA
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| The Art Institute of Portland | |
- Portland, OR
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| The Art Institute of Seattle | |
- Seattle, WA
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| The Art Institutes International-Minnesota | |
- Minneapolis, MN
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| The Illinois Institute of Art - Chicago | |
- Chicago, IL
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| The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College | |
- Philadelphia, PA
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| The University of Montana | |
- Missoula, MT
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| University of Akron | |
- Akron, OH
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| University of Alaska Anchorage | |
- Anchorage, AK
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| University of Alaska Fairbanks | |
- Fairbanks, AK
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| Utah Valley University | |
- Orem, UT
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| Valencia College | |
- Orlando, FL
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| Vincennes University | |
- Vincennes, IN
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Community Colleges
| Albany Technical College | |
- Albany, GA
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| Atlantic Cape Community College | |
- Mays Landing, NJ
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| Bowling Green Technical College | |
- Bowling Green, KY
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| Brookdale Community College | |
- Lincroft, NJ
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| Carteret Community College | |
- Morehead City, NC
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| Central New Mexico Community College | |
- Albuquerque, NM
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| Central Piedmont Community College | |
- Charlotte, NC
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| Cincinnati State Technical and Community College | |
- Cincinnati, OH
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| City Colleges of Chicago - Kennedy - King College | |
- Chicago, IL
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| College of Dupage | |
- Glen Ellyn, IL
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| College of the Albemarle | |
- Elizabeth City, NC
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| Collin College | |
- McKinney, TX
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| Des Moines Area Community College | |
- Ankeny, IA
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| El Centro College | |
- Dallas, TX
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| Elgin Community College | |
- Elgin, IL
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| Erie Community College | |
- Buffalo, NY
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| Grand Rapids Community College | |
- Grand Rapids, MI
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| Guilford Technical Community College | |
- Jamestown, NC
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| Hennepin Technical College | |
- Brooklyn Park, MN
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| Henry Ford Community College | |
- Dearborn, MI
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| Hocking College | |
- Nelsonville, OH
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| Houston Community College System | |
- Houston, TX
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| Jefferson Community and Technical College | |
- Louisville, KY
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| Joliet Junior College | |
- Joliet, IL
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| Kirkwood Community College | |
- Cedar Rapids, IA
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| Lee College | |
- Baytown, TX
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| Louisiana Technical College - Alexandria Campus | |
- Alexandria, LA
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| Louisiana Technical College - Baton Rouge Campus | |
- Baton Rouge, LA
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| Macomb Community College | |
- Warren, MI
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| Minneapolis Community and Technical College | |
- Minneapolis, MN
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| North Georgia Technical College | |
- Clarkesville, GA
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| Northampton County Area Community College | |
- Bethlehem, PA
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| Northwestern Michigan College | |
- Traverse City, MI
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| Pulaski Technical College | |
- North Little Rock, AR
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| Richland Community College | |
- Decatur, IL
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| Saint Louis Community College - Forest Park | |
- Saint Louis, MO
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| Saint Paul College - a Community and Technical College | |
- Saint Paul, MN
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| San Jacinto College | |
- Pasadena, TX
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| Schoolcraft College | |
- Livonia, MI
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| Scottsdale Community College | |
- Scottsdale, AZ
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| Sinclair Community College | |
- Dayton, OH
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| Southern Maine Community College | |
- South Portland, ME
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| Sowela Technical Community College | |
- Lake Charles, LA
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| St Philips College | |
- San Antonio, TX
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| Suffolk County Community College | |
- Selden, NY
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| Trident Technical College | |
- Charleston, SC
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| West Kentucky Community and Technical College | |
- Paducah, KY
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Technical Colleges
| Atlantic Technical Center | |
- Coconut Creek, FL
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| Manatee Technical Institute | |
- Bradenton, FL
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| Metro Technology Centers | |
- Oklahoma City, OK
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Career Colleges
| Arizona Culinary Institute | |
- Scottsdale, AZ
| 2011-12 Largest Program Tuition and Fees
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| Auburn Career Center | |
- Concord Twp, OH
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| Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts | |
- Boulder, CO
| 2011-12 Largest Program Tuition and Fees
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| Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts-Austin | |
- Austin, TX
| 2011-12 Largest Program Tuition and Fees
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| Bidwell Training Center Inc | |
- Pittsburgh, PA
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| Branford Hall Career Institute - Springfield Campus | |
- Springfield, MA
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| California Culinary Academy | |
- San Francisco, CA
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| Columbia College | |
- Fairfax, VA
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| Commonwealth Technical Institute | |
- Johnstown, PA
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| Culinary Institute Inc | |
- Houston, TX
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| East Valley Institute of Technology | |
- Mesa, AZ
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| Emily Griffith Technical College | |
- Denver, CO
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| First Coast Technical College | |
- Saint Augustine, FL
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| French Culinary Institute | |
- New York, NY
| 2011-12 Largest Program Tuition and Fees
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| Greater Johnstown Career and Technology Center | |
- Johnstown, PA
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| Harrison College | |
- Morrisville, NC
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| Institute of Culinary Education | |
- New York, NY
| 2011-12 Largest Program Tuition and Fees
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| Institute of Technology Inc | |
- Clovis, CA
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| International Air and Hospitality Academy | |
- Vancouver, WA
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| International Culinary Arts and Sciences Institute | |
- Chesterland, OH
| 2011-12 Largest Program Tuition and Fees
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| James Rumsey Technical Institute | |
- Martinsburg, WV
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| Keystone Technical Institute | |
- Harrisburg, PA
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| Kiamichi Technology Center - Poteau | |
- Poteau, OK
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| L'academie De Cuisine | |
- Gaithersburg, MD
| 2011-12 Largest Program Tuition and Fees
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| L'ecole Culinaire | |
- Cordova, TN
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| L'ecole Culinaire | |
- Saint Louis, MO
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| Lake Career and Technical Center | |
- Camdenton, MO
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| Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts - St Louis | |
- St Peters, MO
| 2011-12 Largest Program Tuition and Fees
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| Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts-Atlanta | |
- Tucker, GA
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| Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts-Austin | |
- Austin, TX
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| Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts-Cambridge | |
- Cambridge, MA
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| Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts-Chicago | |
- Chicago, IL
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| Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts-Las Vegas | |
- Las Vegas, NV
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| Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts-Miami | |
- Miramar, FL
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| Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts-Minneapolis | |
- Mendota Heights, MN
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| Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts-Orlando | |
- Orlando, FL
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| Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts-Pasadena | |
- Pasadena, CA
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| Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts-Portland | |
- Portland, OR
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| Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts-Sacramento | |
- Sacramento, CA
| 2011-12 Largest Program Tuition and Fees
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| Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts-Seattle | |
- Tukwila, WA
| 2011-12 Largest Program Tuition and Fees
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| Le Cordon Bleu Institute of Culinary Arts - Dallas | |
- Dallas, TX
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| Le Cordon Bleu Institute of Culinary Arts-Pittsburgh | |
- Pittsburgh, PA
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| Lee County High Tech Center North | |
- Cape Coral, FL
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| Lincoln College of Technology-Columbia | |
- Columbia, MD
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| Lincoln Culinary Institute | |
- Hartford, CT
| 2011-12 Largest Program Tuition and Fees
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| Lincoln Technical Institute - Suffield - Lincoln Culinary Institute | |
- Suffield, CT
| 2011-12 Largest Program Tuition and Fees
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| Lincoln Technical Institute-Cromwell | |
- Cromwell, CT
| 2011-12 Largest Program Tuition and Fees
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| Lincoln Technical Institute-Shelton | |
- Shelton, CT
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| Louisiana Culinary Institute | |
- Baton Rouge, LA
| 2011-12 Largest Program Tuition and Fees
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| Marchman Technical Education Center | |
- New Port Richey, FL
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| Monongalia County Technical Education Center | |
- Morgantown, WV
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| Northeast Technology Center - Afton | |
- Afton, OK
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| Northeast Technology Center - Pryor | |
- Pryor, OK
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| Northland Career Center | |
- Platte City, MO
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| Ocean County Vocational - Technical School | |
- Toms River, NJ
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| Oregon Career & Technology Center | |
- Oregon, OH
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| Pioneer Technology Center | |
- Ponca City, OK
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| Remington College - Dallas Campus | |
- Garland, TX
| Tuition and Fees
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| Saline County Career Center | |
- Marshall, MO
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| San Diego Culinary Institute | |
- San Diego, CA
| 2011-12 Largest Program Tuition and Fees
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| South Central Career Center | |
- West Plains, MO
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| Southeast Culinary & Hospitality College | |
- Bristol, VA
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| Star Career Academy - Philadelphia | |
- Philadelphia, PA
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| Star Career Academy-New York | |
- New York, NY
| 2011-12 Largest Program Tuition and Fees
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| Star Career Academy-Syosset | |
- Syosset, NY
| 2011-12 Largest Program Tuition and Fees
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| Technical Education Center - Osceola | |
- Kissimmee, FL
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| Toledo Restaurant Training Center | |
- Toledo, OH
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| Travel Institute of the Pacific | |
- Honolulu, HI
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| Tri County Technology Center | |
- Bartlesville, OK
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| Virginia College - Mobile | |
- Mobile, AL
| Tuition and Fees
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| Waynesville Career Center | |
- Waynesville, MO
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| Yorktowne Business Institute | |
- York, PA
| Tuition and Fees
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| Yti Career Institute-York | |
- York, PA
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