Culinary Arts at Central Piedmont Community College
Associate's Degree
Earnings Distribution
How Central Piedmont Community College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Central Piedmont Community College graduates earn $27k, placing them in the 60th percentile of all culinary arts associates programs nationally.
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
Compare to Similar Programs in North Carolina
Culinary Arts associates's programs at peer institutions in North Carolina (25 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Piedmont Community College | $27,127 | $29,304 | — | — |
| Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College | $32,602 | $31,673 | — | — |
| Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte | $27,514 | $33,280 | $14,745 | 0.54 |
| Guilford Technical Community College | $14,813 | $26,751 | $32,614 | 2.20 |
| National Median | $26,446 | — | $15,125 | 0.57 |
Other Culinary Arts Programs in North Carolina
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across North Carolina schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College Asheville | $2,882 | $32,602 | — |
| Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte Charlotte | $40,408 | $27,514 | $14,745 |
| Guilford Technical Community College Jamestown | $2,319 | $14,813 | $32,614 |
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Central Piedmont Community College, approximately 39% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 41 graduates with reported earnings and 15 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.