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Culinary Arts and Related Services at SUNY College of Technology at Alfred

Alfred, NY · Public · Associate Degree

With 82% of applicants admitted, SUNY College of Technology at Alfred prioritizes broad access, with a smaller student body of 3,510 in Alfred, NY.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $26,598/yr, edging above the $23,994 national average for Culinary Arts and Related Services — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand for this trade.

With a 15.7x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 0% spread between best and worst-case AI scenarios signals strong resilience. Most careers in Culinary Arts and Related Services involve physical, hands-on work that current AI cannot replicate.

At $12,000 in median debt against $26,598 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

A #87 ranking among 137 Culinary Arts and Related Services programs places SUNY College of Technology at Alfred in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

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.

58 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
55
Low End
58
Score
58
High End
Earnings $26,598/yr (11% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (80% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (789,200 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$278K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
15.7x
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)
$17,724
Out-of-state: $32,734
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,000
5.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (4 Year)
$27,386
3% 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 SUNY College of Technology at Alfred

Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions ($58,013) Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies ($45,160) Health and Medical Administrative Services ($44,662) Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) ($42,992) Precision Metal Working ($42,739) Electrical and Power Transmission Installers ($42,278) Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies ($41,994) Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians ($36,293)

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

What does a 58/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Culinary Arts and Related Services at SUNY College of Technology at Alfred?
At 58/100, 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 safe is Culinary Arts and Related Services from automation?
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.
How many job openings are there for Culinary Arts and Related Services graduates?
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 →