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Culinary Arts and Related Services at Washtenaw Community College

Ann Arbor, MI · Public · Associate Degree

serving 7,736 students in Ann Arbor, MI.

Program Analysis

At $33,382 per year, Culinary Arts and Related Services graduates from Washtenaw Community College significantly outpace the $23,994 national average for this trade, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

The 63.8x 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.

With only 20% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, the scenario spread is tight at 0%. Career paths for Culinary Arts and Related Services are among the more automation-resistant trades we analyze.

Ranked #4 out of 137 programs, Washtenaw Community College's Culinary Arts and Related Services program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

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.

75 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
74
Low End
75
Score
76
High End
Earnings $33,382/yr (39% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (80% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (789,200 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Year 1 Earnings
$33K
Reported median after graduation
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
63.8x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
13 of 13
Occupations with strong AI resilience
Program Tuition (In-State)
$5,472
Out-of-state: $12,672
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$31,812
Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes

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) Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College ($32,602) Saint Paul College ($32,478) Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science ($32,023) Salt Lake Community College ($31,788)

Other Majors at Washtenaw Community College

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($70,145) Criminal Justice and Corrections ($67,732) Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions ($54,371) Business Operations Support and Assistant Services ($46,821) Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians ($42,813) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($41,152) Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services ($39,704) Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies ($37,457)

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Compare Culinary Arts and Related Services degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Culinary Arts and Related Services at Washtenaw Community College?
This program scores 75/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Culinary Arts and Related Services nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, hands-on AI resilience, and solid financial return.
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.
Why does Washtenaw Community College rank so high for Culinary Arts and Related Services?
The #4 ranking out of 137 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable, and the job market supports this trade.
Are there apprenticeship options for Culinary Arts and Related Services?
There are 17 registered apprenticeships connected to Culinary Arts and Related Services occupations. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
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 →