Home › NorthWest Arkansas Community College › Culinary Arts and Related Services

Culinary Arts and Related Services at NorthWest Arkansas Community College

Bentonville, AR · Public · Certificate

with a smaller student body of 4,632 in Bentonville, AR.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $25,996 at NorthWest Arkansas Community College come in 8% above the national median of $23,994 for Culinary Arts and Related Services programs.

The 91.2x 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.

Ranked #7 out of 137 programs, NorthWest Arkansas Community College's Culinary Arts and Related Services program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

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.

74 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
72
Low End
74
Score
74
High End
Earnings $25,996/yr (8% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (80% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (789,200 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$272K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
91.2x
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)
$2,982
Out-of-state: $5,022

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 NorthWest Arkansas Community College

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($67,192) Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions ($59,189) Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General ($52,580) Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services ($52,397) Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($31,922) Business/Commerce, General ($31,888) Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($30,703) Dental Support Services and Allied Professions ($28,819)

Explore the Degree Alternative

Compare Culinary Arts and Related Services degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 74/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Culinary Arts and Related Services at NorthWest Arkansas Community College?
A score of 74/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. NorthWest Arkansas Community College's Culinary Arts and Related Services graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
Will AI replace Culinary Arts and Related Services jobs?
This is one of the more automation-resistant trades. Culinary Arts and Related Services work requires physical skill and on-site presence — qualities AI cannot provide. Our model rates it "AI-Proof" overall.
Why does NorthWest Arkansas Community College rank so high for Culinary Arts and Related Services?
Among 137 Culinary Arts and Related Services programs, NorthWest Arkansas Community College's #7 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Are there apprenticeship options for Culinary Arts and Related Services?
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.
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 →