Culinary Arts and Related Services at Sullivan University

Louisville, KY · Private for-profit · Associate Degree

with a smaller student body of 2,498 in Louisville, KY.

Program Analysis

Sullivan University's Culinary Arts and Related Services program produces graduates earning $24,292/yr — within striking distance of the $23,994 national average for this trade.

With a 12.4x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 28% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Culinary Arts and Related Services career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

At $14,727 against $24,292/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #111 ranking among 137 Culinary Arts and Related Services programs places Sullivan University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 37% earnings increase from $24,292 to $33,261 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

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.

55 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
51
Low End
55
Score
55
High End
Earnings $24,292/yr (1% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (80% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (789,200 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$355K
8.2% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
12.5x
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
$28,440
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,727
7.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$33,261
37% 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

Culinary Arts and Related Services at Other Schools

Other Majors at Sullivan University

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 55/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Culinary Arts and Related Services at Sullivan University?
At 55/100, the score looks reasonable — but Culinary Arts and Related Services is a high-scoring trade overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
How AI-proof is a career in Culinary Arts and Related Services?
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.
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?
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 →