Culinary Arts and Related Services at Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Carolina Campus

Carolina, PR · Private nonprofit · Associate Degree

a smaller institution with 4,383 students in Carolina, PR.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $13,207 place Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Carolina Campus below the $23,994 national median for Culinary Arts and Related Services — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

The 16.5x 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.

AI exposure is significant at 20% of job tasks, producing a 40% spread between best and worst-case decade earnings. The field isn't immune to disruption.

The $8,950 debt-to-$13,207 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #129 out of 137 programs, Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Carolina Campus's financial outcomes for Culinary Arts and Related Services trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $13,207 to $24,537 over five years (86% increase) indicates that graduates in this trade see meaningful salary progression.

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.

51 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
47
Low End
51
Score
52
High End
Earnings $13,207/yr (-45% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (80% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (789,200 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$232K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
16.7x
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
$13,840
Median Debt at Graduation
$8,950
8.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$24,537
86% 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

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Explore the Degree Alternative

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Culinary Arts and Related Services at Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Carolina Campus?
A score of 51/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Carolina Campus trails the majority of Culinary Arts and Related Services programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
How AI-proof is a career in Culinary Arts and Related Services?
Highly resilient. Culinary Arts and Related Services careers are fundamentally hands-on — they require physical presence and manual skill that AI cannot replicate. Graduates retain 13 of 13 viable career paths even under conservative assumptions.
Why are Culinary Arts and Related Services earnings lower at Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Carolina Campus?
Starting salary is one data point. If Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Carolina Campus's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Culinary Arts and Related Services graduates?
Yes — 17 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Culinary Arts and Related Services career paths, including Baker (Bake Produce). Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to certificate programs.
How many job openings are there for Culinary Arts and Related Services graduates?
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 →