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Culinary Arts and Related Services at Kalamazoo Valley Community College

Kalamazoo, MI · Public · Associate Degree

a smaller institution with 4,885 students in Kalamazoo, MI.

Program Analysis

Kalamazoo Valley Community College's Culinary Arts and Related Services graduates start at $26,843/yr — above the $23,994 national average, though not by a wide margin.

The 34.7x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

With only 20% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, the scenario spread is tight at 0%. Career paths for Culinary Arts and Related Services are among the more automation-resistant trades we analyze.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $11,250 in median debt clears fast against $26,843 in annual earnings.

Ranked #48 out of 137 programs, Kalamazoo Valley Community College's Culinary Arts and Related Services offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

With 17 registered apprenticeships mapped to Culinary Arts and Related Services, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

63 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
62
Low End
63
Score
63
High End
Earnings $26,843/yr (12% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (80% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (789,200 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$281K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
34.7x
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)
$8,092
Out-of-state: $17,752
Median Debt at Graduation
$11,250
5.0 months of Year 1 earnings

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 Kalamazoo Valley Community College

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($66,602) Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions ($54,134) Dental Support Services and Allied Professions ($52,947) Engineering Technology, General ($46,493) Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($33,055) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($29,315)

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Compare Culinary Arts and Related Services degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Culinary Arts and Related Services at Kalamazoo Valley Community College?
At 63/100, Kalamazoo Valley Community College's Culinary Arts and Related Services program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
How safe is Culinary Arts and Related Services from automation?
Culinary Arts and Related Services rates as "AI-Proof" for AI resilience. With only 20% of tasks exposed to automation, the trade's physical demands provide a natural shield against AI displacement.
Can I learn Culinary Arts and Related Services through an apprenticeship instead?
Yes — 17 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Culinary Arts and Related Services career paths, including Baker (Bake Produce). Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to certificate programs.
Is there demand for Culinary Arts and Related Services workers?
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 →