Culinary Arts at Virginia Western Community College
Associate's Degree
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 Virginia
Culinary Arts associates's programs at peer institutions in Virginia (8 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Western Community College | $26,446* | $27,391 | $14,217* | — |
| Tidewater Community College | $25,938* | $25,357 | $20,275* | 0.78 |
| ECPI University | $23,320* | $30,349 | $18,043* | 0.77 |
| National Median | $26,446* | — | $15,125* | 0.57 |
Other Culinary Arts Programs in Virginia
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Virginia schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tidewater Community College Norfolk | $5,714 | $25,938 | $20,275 |
| ECPI University Virginia Beach | $18,484 | $23,320 | $18,043 |
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 Virginia Western Community College, approximately 30% 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.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 81 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.