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Culinary Arts and Related Services at NUC University

Bayamon, PR · Private for-profit · Certificate

one of the larger campuses at 25,881 students in Bayamon, PR.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $12,403/yr fall 48% below the $23,994 national median for Culinary Arts and Related Services. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

With a 25.8x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

Career paths for Culinary Arts and Related Services carry above-average AI exposure (20% of tasks). The 38% scenario spread means the difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes is substantial.

At $8,584 against $12,403/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #120 ranking among 137 Culinary Arts and Related Services programs places NUC University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $12,403-to-$19,057 earnings arc over five years reflects a 54% gain — well above average career growth for trade school graduates.

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

54 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
49
Low End
54
Score
54
High End
Earnings $12,403/yr (-48% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (80% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (789,200 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$211K
11.3% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
26.2x
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)
$8,054
Out-of-state: $9,884
Median Debt at Graduation
$8,584
8.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$19,057
54% 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

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 NUC University

Business Administration, Management and Operations ($34,933) Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) ($32,953) Precision Metal Working ($30,278) Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications ($29,964) Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair Technology ($27,446) Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians ($26,836) Accounting and Related Services ($26,373) Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services ($25,797)

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare Culinary Arts and Related Services degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does NUC University's Culinary Arts and Related Services program score?
This program scores 54/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Culinary Arts and Related Services programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
How AI-proof is a career in Culinary Arts and Related Services?
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.
Why are Culinary Arts and Related Services earnings lower at NUC University?
Starting salary is one data point. If NUC University's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Can I learn Culinary Arts and Related Services through an apprenticeship instead?
There are 17 registered apprenticeships connected to Culinary Arts and Related Services occupations. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
Is there demand for Culinary Arts and Related Services workers?
The career paths mapped to Culinary Arts and Related Services have roughly 789,200 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Trade careers in this field benefit from consistent replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →