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Culinary Arts and Related Services at Grand Rapids Community College

Grand Rapids, MI · Public · Associate Degree

serving 10,530 students in Grand Rapids, MI.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $24,473 track close to the $23,994 national median for Culinary Arts and Related Services programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

With a 52.2x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

Career paths for Culinary Arts and Related Services carry above-average AI exposure (20% of tasks). The 40% scenario spread means the difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes is substantial.

At $12,319 against $24,473/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

Grand Rapids Community College ranks #31 among 137 Culinary Arts and Related Services programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

The $24,473-to-$42,557 earnings arc over five years reflects a 74% gain — well above average career growth for trade school graduates.

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

66 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
60
Low End
66
Score
66
High End
Earnings $24,473/yr (2% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (80% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (789,200 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$429K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
52.9x
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)
$8,118
Out-of-state: $23,718
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,319
6.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$42,557
74% 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

View all 137 schools offering Culinary Arts and Related Services →

Culinary Arts and Related Services at Other Schools

Johnson County Community College ($38,977) Southeast Community College Area ($36,734) Cincinnati State Technical and Community College ($36,330) Fox Valley Technical College ($34,736) Washtenaw Community College ($33,382) Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College ($32,602) Saint Paul College ($32,478) Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science ($32,023)

Other Majors at Grand Rapids Community College

Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians ($70,622) Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($69,764) Criminal Justice and Corrections ($59,278) Precision Metal Working ($50,089) Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians ($49,865) Criminal Justice and Corrections ($48,049) Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions ($46,280) Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants ($45,946)

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare Culinary Arts and Related Services degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Grand Rapids Community College's Culinary Arts and Related Services program score?
A score of 66/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Culinary Arts and Related Services field.
How safe is Culinary Arts and Related Services from automation?
This is one of the more automation-resistant trades. Culinary Arts and Related Services work requires physical skill and on-site presence — qualities AI cannot provide. Our model rates it "AI-Proof" overall.
Why does Grand Rapids Community College rank so high for Culinary Arts and Related Services?
The #31 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 and Related Services through an apprenticeship instead?
Culinary Arts and Related Services connects to 17 apprenticeship pathways. These DOL-registered programs combine structured training with paid employment — a strong alternative for students who prefer hands-on learning over classroom instruction.
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 →