Culinary Arts at Culinary Institute of America

The Culinary Institute of America delivers strong value in culinary arts education, with graduates earning notably more than typical culinary programs nationwide. At $28,049 in first-year earnings, CIA graduates outperform 74% of similar programs nationally and sit comfortably above both national ($26,446) and New York state ($26,556) medians. While ranking 60th percentile within New York reflects the state's competitive culinary landscape, CIA still positions in the upper tier among the state's 22 programs.

The financial picture looks particularly compelling with just $12,000 in median debt—significantly below the national average of $15,125 for culinary programs. This creates a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.43, meaning graduates typically owe less than half their first-year salary. The 31% earnings growth from year one to four ($28,049 to $36,665) demonstrates solid career progression potential in an industry where many programs show minimal advancement.

For parents concerned about ROI in culinary education, CIA represents a relatively safe bet. The combination of below-average debt, above-average starting salaries, and strong earnings growth creates a scenario where graduates can reasonably expect to manage their student loans while building culinary careers. The 92% admission rate makes it accessible, while the robust sample size gives confidence these outcomes are reliable rather than outliers.