Culinary Arts and Related Services at College of Southern Nevada

Las Vegas, NV · Public · Associate Degree

serving a student body of 27,790 in Las Vegas, NV.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $22,428/yr, roughly in line with the $23,994 national median for Culinary Arts and Related Services. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 47.2x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Culinary Arts and Related Services programs nationally.

The 40% gap between optimistic and pessimistic AI scenarios is notable. With 20% of typical tasks exposed to automation, AI adoption could meaningfully shift career outcomes for Culinary Arts and Related Services graduates.

At #50 of 137 Culinary Arts and Related Services programs, College of Southern Nevada scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $36,814 show a 64% jump from the $22,428 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration in this trade.

Culinary Arts and Related Services offers 17 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

63 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
57
Low End
63
Score
64
High End
Earnings $22,428/yr (-7% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (80% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (789,200 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$394K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
47.9x
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)
$8,220
Out-of-state: $24,418
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$36,814
64% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Culinary Arts and Related Services 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 →

About Culinary Arts and Related Services Careers

Your career will likely begin in the controlled chaos of a professional kitchen. As a restaurant cook, you'll spend your days prepping ingredients with precision and working the line during a busy service, mastering the grill, sauté pans, and fryer. This path is seeing incredible growth, with huge demand for skilled cooks.

Read the full Culinary Arts and Related Services career guide →

Compare & Explore

Culinary Arts and Related Services Overview

Culinary Arts and Related Services at Other Schools

Other Majors at College of Southern Nevada

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does College of Southern Nevada's Culinary Arts and Related Services program score?
This program scores 63/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Culinary Arts and Related Services graduates.
How AI-proof is a career in Culinary Arts and Related Services?
Highly resilient. Culinary Arts and Related Services careers are fundamentally hands-on — they require physical presence and manual skill that AI cannot replicate. Graduates retain 13 of 13 viable career paths even under conservative assumptions.
Are there apprenticeship options for Culinary Arts and Related Services?
Yes — 17 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Culinary Arts and Related Services career paths, including Baker (Bake Produce). Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to certificate programs.
Is there demand for Culinary Arts and Related Services workers?
The career paths mapped to Culinary Arts and Related Services have roughly 789,200 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Trade careers in this field benefit from consistent replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →