Home › Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte › Culinary Arts

Culinary Arts at Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte

Charlotte, NC · Private nonprofit · Associate Degree · Culinary Arts and Related Services

Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte has a 75% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, a smaller institution with 1,126 students in Charlotte, NC.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $27,514/yr, edging above the $23,994 national average for Culinary Arts — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand for this trade.

At 4.8x tuition cost in decade earnings, the ROI is moderate. This program pays for itself, but it's not a financial slam-dunk.

The 26% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Culinary Arts career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

At $14,167 against $27,514/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #109 ranking among 137 Culinary Arts programs places Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 34% earnings increase from $27,514 to $36,778 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

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

56 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
53
Low End
56
Score
56
High End
Earnings $27,514/yr (15% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (80% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (789,200 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$390K
7.5% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
4.8x
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
$80,816
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,167
6.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$36,778
34% 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 Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

Read the full Culinary Arts career guide →

Compare & Explore

Culinary Arts Overview

View all 137 schools offering Culinary Arts →

Culinary Arts 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)

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare Culinary Arts degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

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 Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte?
This program scores 56/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Culinary Arts programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
Will AI replace Culinary Arts jobs?
Highly resilient. Culinary Arts careers are fundamentally hands-on — they require physical presence and manual skill that AI cannot replicate. Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte graduates retain 13 of 13 viable career paths even under conservative assumptions.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Culinary Arts graduates?
If Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte'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.
Will Culinary Arts graduates from Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte find jobs?
Job availability for Culinary Arts is strong — 789,200 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte graduates specifically, local market conditions in NC may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →