Culinary Arts at Atlantic Cape Community College

Atlantic Cape Community College's Culinary Arts program stands out nationally, placing graduates in the 94th percentile for earnings compared to similar programs across the country. That $31,639 first-year salary significantly exceeds both the national median ($26,446) and New Jersey's median ($29,123) for culinary associate's degrees. However, there's an important caveat: this data comes from a small cohort of fewer than 30 graduates, which means a few high earners could be skewing the results upward.

The debt picture requires careful consideration. While the $11,000 median is lower than both state and national benchmarks, it still represents the 90th percentile nationally—meaning only 10% of culinary programs saddle students with more debt. Given the relatively modest earnings in this field generally, that debt load isn't catastrophic (the 0.35 ratio suggests manageable repayment), but it's higher than you'd ideally want for a community college program.

For families weighing this investment, the small sample size is the critical wildcard. If your child is passionate about culinary arts and Atlantic Cape offers specific connections to higher-paying hospitality venues in the Atlantic City area, these numbers could reflect real opportunity. But recognize you're betting on limited data—verify the program's industry partnerships and job placement track record before committing, even with that impressive earnings figure.