Culinary Arts and Related Services at Institute of Technology

Clovis, CA · Private for-profit · Certificate

a compact campus enrolling 1,376 students in Clovis, CA.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $21,509/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.

The 30% 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.

With first-year pay of $21,509 far exceeding the $9,500 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #82 of 137 Culinary Arts and Related Services programs, Institute of Technology falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $21,509 to $30,052 over five years — a 40% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.

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

59 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
56
Low End
59
Score
59
High End
Earnings $21,509/yr (-10% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (80% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (789,200 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$322K
8.7% annual growth
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.

Median Debt at Graduation
$9,500
5.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$30,052
40% 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 Institute of Technology

Explore the Degree Alternative

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Culinary Arts and Related Services at Institute of Technology?
A score of 59/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Institute of Technology trails the majority of Culinary Arts and Related Services programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
Will AI replace Culinary Arts and Related Services jobs?
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.
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.
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 →