Culinary Arts at Helms College

Helms College graduates start at $25,261—nearly $4,000 above Georgia's median for culinary arts programs and ranking in the 60th percentile statewide. That's meaningful context for an in-state decision, where this program outperforms most Georgia alternatives despite falling slightly below the national average.

The $20,000 debt load sits at Georgia's median and well below the national figure of $15,125 for culinary programs. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.79, graduates owe less than one year's salary, which is manageable for an entry-level culinary position. The moderate sample size (30-100 graduates) suggests consistent outcomes rather than outliers driving these numbers.

The tradeoff here is straightforward: you're paying for accessibility and better-than-average Georgia outcomes in a field where earnings start modest across the board. With 44% of students receiving Pell grants, Helms serves students who might otherwise struggle to access culinary training. For Georgia families weighing in-state options, this program delivers competitive value—just understand that culinary careers typically require time to build earning potential through experience and advancement.