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Culinary Arts at Texas State Technical College

Waco, TX · Public · Certificate · Culinary Arts and Related Services

serving 9,153 students in Waco, TX.

Program Analysis

Texas State Technical College's Culinary Arts program produces graduates earning $21,144/yr — within striking distance of the $23,994 national average for this trade.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 44.4x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Culinary Arts programs nationally.

The 31% gap between optimistic and pessimistic AI scenarios is notable. With 20% of typical tasks exposed to automation, AI adoption could meaningfully shift career outcomes for Culinary Arts graduates.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $9,500 in median debt clears fast against $21,144 in annual earnings.

At #58 of 137 Culinary Arts programs, Texas State Technical College scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $21,144 to $29,932 over five years — a 42% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.

Culinary Arts offers 17 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

62 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
57
Low End
62
Score
62
High End
Earnings $21,144/yr (-12% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (80% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (789,200 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$322K
9.1% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
44.8x
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)
$7,192
Out-of-state: $11,842
Median Debt at Graduation
$9,500
5.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$29,932
42% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Culinary Arts 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 →

Culinary Arts Career Guide

See the full career breakdown for Culinary Arts — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from Texas State Technical College and 136 other schools.

Read the full Culinary Arts career guide →

Compare & Explore

Culinary Arts Overview

View all 137 schools offering Culinary Arts →

Culinary Arts 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 Texas State Technical College

Nursing ($79,324) Electrical Installation ($76,445) Electromechanical Technology ($68,052) Industrial Production Technology ($64,485) Allied Health Professions ($62,718) Electromechanical Technology ($59,719) Dental Assisting ($56,609) Electrical Installation ($56,597)

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Compare Culinary Arts degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 62/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Culinary Arts at Texas State Technical College?
A score of 62/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Culinary Arts field.
How AI-proof is a career in Culinary Arts?
This is one of the more automation-resistant trades. Culinary Arts work requires physical skill and on-site presence — qualities AI cannot provide. Texas State Technical College's score of 62/100 reflects this durability.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Culinary Arts graduates?
The DOL recognizes 17 apprenticeship pathways related to Culinary Arts. For students weighing Texas State Technical College's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.
What's the job market like for Culinary Arts from Texas State Technical College?
The career paths mapped to Culinary Arts have roughly 789,200 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Demand is driven by consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →