Culinary Arts and Related Services at Dallas College

Dallas, TX · Public · Certificate

one of the larger campuses at 41,815 students in Dallas, TX.

Program Analysis

At $30,484 per year, Culinary Arts and Related Services graduates from Dallas College significantly outpace the $23,994 national average for this trade, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

The 134.6x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

With only 20% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, the scenario spread is tight at 0%. Career paths for Culinary Arts and Related Services are among the more automation-resistant trades we analyze.

The median debt load of $7,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

Ranked #3 out of 137 programs, Dallas College's Culinary Arts and Related Services program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

With 17 registered apprenticeships mapped to Culinary Arts and Related Services, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

80 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
78
Low End
80
Score
81
High End
Earnings $30,484/yr (27% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (80% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (789,200 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$319K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
134.6x
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)
$2,370
Out-of-state: $6,000
Median Debt at Graduation
$7,000
2.8 months of Year 1 earnings

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 Dallas 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

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Culinary Arts and Related Services at Dallas College?
This program scores 80/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Culinary Arts and Related Services nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, hands-on AI resilience, and solid financial return.
Will AI replace Culinary Arts and Related Services jobs?
Culinary Arts and Related Services rates as "AI-Proof" for AI resilience. With only 20% of tasks exposed to automation, the trade's physical demands provide a natural shield against AI displacement.
How affordable is Culinary Arts and Related Services at Dallas College?
At $7,000 in median debt, Culinary Arts and Related Services graduates from Dallas College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.2x is well below the trade program average.
Why does Dallas College rank so high for Culinary Arts and Related Services?
The #3 ranking out of 137 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable, and the job market supports this trade.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Culinary Arts and Related Services graduates?
There are 17 registered apprenticeships connected to Culinary Arts and Related Services occupations. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
How many job openings are there for Culinary Arts and Related Services graduates?
With approximately 789,200 annual openings across mapped careers, Culinary Arts and Related Services offers a very large employment pool. Physical trades tend to have steady demand driven by infrastructure and construction cycles.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →