Culinary Arts at Guilford Technical Community College

Jamestown, NC · Public · Associate Degree · Culinary Arts and Related Services

with a mid-sized student body of 8,179 in Jamestown, NC.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $14,813/yr fall 38% below the $23,994 national median for Culinary Arts. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

With a 55.3x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

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

A #55 ranking among 137 Culinary Arts programs places Guilford Technical Community College in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The $14,813-to-$30,242 earnings arc over five years reflects a 104% gain — well above average career growth for trade school graduates.

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

62 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
56
Low End
62
Score
63
High End
Earnings $14,813/yr (-38% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (80% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (789,200 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$260K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
56.0x
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)
$4,638
Out-of-state: $15,390
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$30,242
104% growth from Year 1

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

What can you do with a Culinary Arts credential from Guilford Technical Community College? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

Read the full Culinary Arts career guide →

Compare & Explore

Culinary Arts Overview

Culinary Arts at Other Schools

Other Majors at Guilford Technical Community College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Culinary Arts at Guilford Technical Community College?
At 62/100, Guilford Technical Community College's Culinary Arts program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
How AI-proof is a career in Culinary Arts?
For Guilford Technical Community College graduates, AI risk is minimal. Culinary Arts rated "AI-Proof" — 80% of the work involves hands-on skills that current AI simply can't perform.
Is Guilford Technical Community College a good choice for Culinary Arts despite lower starting pay?
Lower starting pay at Guilford Technical Community College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Can I learn Culinary Arts through an apprenticeship instead of Guilford Technical Community College?
If Guilford Technical Community College's tuition gives you pause, consider that 17 DOL-registered apprenticeship pathways exist for Culinary Arts. You'd earn while training, avoiding student debt entirely — though completion takes longer than a certificate program.
What's the job market like for Culinary Arts from Guilford Technical Community College?
At 789,200 annual openings, Culinary Arts has a very large employment base. Guilford Technical Community College graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →