Culinary Arts at Utah Valley University

Orem, UT · Public · Associate Degree · Culinary Arts and Related Services

serving a student body of 27,481 in Orem, UT.

Program Analysis

At $27,056 per year, Culinary Arts graduates from Utah Valley University earn slightly above the $23,994 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 23.6x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Culinary Arts programs nationally.

AI disruption models show minimal impact on this program's career paths. The gap between optimistic and pessimistic scenarios is just 5% — this trade's hands-on core resists automation.

Ranked #69 of 137 Culinary Arts programs, Utah Valley University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $29,313 are relatively flat compared to the $27,056 starting salary — typical of trades with stable but capped salary bands.

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

60 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
58
Low End
60
Score
61
High End
Earnings $27,056/yr (13% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (80% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (789,200 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$297K
2.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
23.6x
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)
$12,540
Out-of-state: $35,660
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$29,313
8% 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 Utah Valley University and 136 other schools.

Read the full Culinary Arts career guide →

Compare & Explore

Culinary Arts Overview

Culinary Arts at Other Schools

Other Majors at Utah Valley University

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Utah Valley University's Culinary Arts program score?
A score of 60/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Utah Valley University trails the majority of Culinary Arts programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
Will AI replace Culinary Arts jobs?
For Utah Valley University graduates, AI risk is minimal. Culinary Arts rated "AI-Proof" — 80% of the work involves hands-on skills that current AI simply can't perform.
Can I learn Culinary Arts through an apprenticeship instead of Utah Valley University?
If Utah Valley University's tuition gives you pause, consider that 17 DOL-registered apprenticeship pathways exist for Culinary Arts. You'd earn while training, avoiding student debt entirely — though completion takes longer than a certificate program.
Will Culinary Arts graduates from Utah Valley University find jobs?
The very large job market (789,200 annual openings) works in favor of Culinary Arts graduates. The national outlook is driven by consistent replacement demand and industry growth, though regional variation matters.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →