Culinary Arts at Atlantic Cape Community College

Mays Landing, NJ · Public · Associate Degree · Culinary Arts and Related Services

with a smaller student body of 3,860 in Mays Landing, NJ.

Program Analysis

At $31,639 per year, Culinary Arts graduates from Atlantic Cape Community College significantly outpace the $23,994 national average for this trade, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

With a 34.0x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 0% spread between best and worst-case AI scenarios signals strong resilience. Most careers in Culinary Arts involve physical, hands-on work that current AI cannot replicate.

The median debt load of $11,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

Atlantic Cape Community College ranks #28 among 137 Culinary Arts programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

The 17 apprenticeship pathways connected to Culinary Arts reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

67 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
66
Low End
67
Score
67
High End
Earnings $31,639/yr (32% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (80% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (789,200 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$331K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
34.0x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
13 of 13
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$9,726
Out-of-state: $14,526
Median Debt at Graduation
$11,000
4.2 months of Year 1 earnings

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Culinary Arts graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Food scientists and technologists $85,310 +6.5% 65%
Postsecondary teachers, all other $78,490 +1.8% 100%
Food service managers $65,310 +6.4% 58%
Food scientists and technologists
$85,310
+6.5% growth 65% AI-proof
Postsecondary teachers, all other
$78,490
+1.8% growth 100% AI-proof
Food service managers
$65,310
+6.4% growth 58% AI-proof

View all 13 career paths with full salary data →

Culinary Arts Career Guide

Explore what Culinary Arts graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 137 programs nationwide.

Read the full Culinary Arts career guide →

Compare & Explore

Culinary Arts Overview

Culinary Arts at Other Schools

Other Majors at Atlantic Cape Community College

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Atlantic Cape Community College's Culinary Arts program score?
This program scores 67/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Culinary Arts graduates.
Will AI replace Culinary Arts jobs?
Highly resilient. Culinary Arts careers are fundamentally hands-on — they require physical presence and manual skill that AI cannot replicate. Atlantic Cape Community College graduates retain 13 of 13 viable career paths even under conservative assumptions.
Why does Atlantic Cape Community College rank so high for Culinary Arts?
The #28 ranking out of 137 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable, and the job market supports this trade.
Can I learn Culinary Arts through an apprenticeship instead of Atlantic Cape Community College?
There are 17 registered apprenticeships connected to Culinary Arts occupations, such as Baker (Bake Produce) and Baker (Hotel & Restaurant). The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
What's the job market like for Culinary Arts from Atlantic Cape Community College?
The very large job market (789,200 annual openings) works in favor of Culinary Arts graduates. The national outlook is driven by consistent replacement demand and industry growth, though regional variation matters.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →