Analysis
Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte's culinary arts program offers a relatively balanced entry point into the food service industry, with graduates earning $27,514 in their first year—about $1,000 above the national median and just below North Carolina's state average. More importantly, the program shows solid earning potential with 21% growth by year four, reaching $33,280, which outpaces many culinary programs that see minimal advancement.
The debt picture is notably better than state competitors. At $14,745, graduates carry nearly $9,000 less debt than the typical North Carolina culinary program, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.54. This advantage becomes clearer when comparing to community college alternatives: while Asheville-Buncombe's graduates earn more initially, Johnson & Wales students enter the workforce with significantly less financial burden and show stronger earning growth.
With a robust sample size giving confidence in these outcomes, this program represents a solid middle-ground choice. Your child would graduate with reasonable debt levels and earnings that track competitively within both state and national contexts. The 21% earnings growth trajectory suggests real career advancement potential beyond the typically flat earning patterns in food service roles.
Where Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all culinary arts associates's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte | $27,514 | $33,280 | +21% |
| Kirkwood Community College | $21,391 | $38,720 | +81% |
| Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College | $32,602 | $31,673 | -3% |
| Central Piedmont Community College | $27,127 | $29,304 | +8% |
| Guilford Technical Community College | $14,813 | $26,751 | +81% |
Compare to Similar Programs in North Carolina
Culinary Arts associates's programs at peer institutions in North Carolina (25 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Johnson & Wales University-CharlotteCharlotte | $40,408 | $27,514 | $33,280 | $14,745 | 0.54 |
 Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community CollegeAsheville | $2,882 | $32,602 | $31,673 | — | — |
 Central Piedmont Community CollegeCharlotte | $2,792 | $27,127 | $29,304 | — | — |
 Guilford Technical Community CollegeJamestown | $2,319 | $14,813 | $26,751 | $32,614 | 2.20 |
| National Median | — | $26,446 | — | $15,125 | 0.57 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with culinary arts graduates
Food Scientists and Technologists
Food Service Managers
Chefs and Head Cooks
Butchers and Meat Cutters
Bakers
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
Cooks, Private Household
Cooks, Restaurant
Cooks, All Other
Bartenders
Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products
Postsecondary Teachers, All Other
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 Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte, approximately 52% 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 415 graduates with reported earnings and 607 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.