Culinary Arts at Johnson County Community College

Johnson County Community College's culinary arts program produces first-year earnings of $38,977—well above the national median of $26,446 for associate-level culinary programs. That's encouraging news for a field often associated with low starting pay. However, debt figures here are estimated from similar community college programs nationally (around $14,217), not from this school's actual graduates, so families should verify current borrowing patterns directly with the college. The 0.36 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests manageable repayment if those estimates hold true.

The real concern is what happens after that strong start: earnings drop to $34,585 by year four, an 11% decline that's unusual for any career track. This could reflect the realities of restaurant work—long hours, physical demands, and limited advancement without moving into ownership or management. While this program ranks at the 95th percentile nationally, it sits at just the 60th percentile among Kansas culinary programs, suggesting stronger in-state competition exists even if their data isn't publicly available.

Before committing, ask the college for actual graduate outcomes and debt figures for their culinary students specifically. That earnings dip after four years means timing matters—if your child plans to use this degree as a springboard to management or entrepreneurship rather than staying in kitchen positions, the initial salary advantage could justify the investment. Otherwise, that backward earnings trajectory deserves serious consideration.