Culinary Arts at Johnson County Community College

Overland Park, KS · Public · Associate Degree · Culinary Arts and Related Services

enrolling 10,634 students in Overland Park, KS.

Program Analysis

Graduates of Johnson County Community College's Culinary Arts program earn $38,977/yr in their first year — 62% above the $23,994 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

With a 87.6x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 0% spread between best and worst-case AI scenarios signals strong resilience. Most careers in Culinary Arts involve physical, hands-on work that current AI cannot replicate.

Among 137 Culinary Arts programs nationally, Johnson County Community College ranks #2 — elite territory by any measure of graduate financial outcomes.

The limited growth from $38,977 to $40,068 over five years suggests earnings in this trade plateau relatively early in one's career.

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

82 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
80
Low End
82
Score
83
High End
Earnings $38,977/yr (62% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (80% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (789,200 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$408K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
87.6x
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)
$4,656
Out-of-state: $10,944
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$40,068
3% 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

From day-one roles to senior positions, Culinary Arts careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering personal services.

Read the full Culinary Arts career guide →

Compare & Explore

Culinary Arts Overview

Culinary Arts at Other Schools

Other Majors at Johnson County 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 does a 82/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Culinary Arts at Johnson County Community College?
At 82/100, this is a high-performing trade program. The TradeSchoolOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
Is Culinary Arts from Johnson County Community College a future-proof career choice?
Highly resilient. Culinary Arts careers are fundamentally hands-on — they require physical presence and manual skill that AI cannot replicate. Johnson County Community College graduates retain 13 of 13 viable career paths even under conservative assumptions.
What makes Johnson County Community College's Culinary Arts program stand out?
Ranked #2 of 137 programs nationally, Johnson County Community College lands in the top 1%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Culinary Arts graduates?
Yes — 17 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Culinary Arts career paths, including Baker (Bake Produce). Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to a program at Johnson County Community College.
Is there demand for Culinary Arts workers?
With approximately 789,200 annual openings across mapped careers, Culinary Arts offers a very large employment pool. Johnson County Community College graduates enter a market shaped by consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →