Culinary Arts at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College

Cincinnati, OH · Public · Associate Degree · Culinary Arts and Related Services

with a mid-sized student body of 5,283 in Cincinnati, OH.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $36,330 put Cincinnati State Technical and Community College's Culinary Arts program 51% above the national median of $23,994 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

The 35.7x 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 1%. Career paths for Culinary Arts are among the more automation-resistant trades we analyze.

With first-year pay of $36,330 far exceeding the $8,664 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #14 ranking out of 137 Culinary Arts programs nationally puts Cincinnati State Technical and Community College in the top 10% — a strong but not elite position.

Earnings growth is modest: $36,330 to $38,302 over five years (5% gain). This trade may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

With 17 registered apprenticeships mapped to Culinary Arts, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

70 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
69
Low End
70
Score
70
High End
Earnings $36,330/yr (51% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (80% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (789,200 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$386K
1.3% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
35.7x
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)
$10,800
Out-of-state: $19,602
Median Debt at Graduation
$8,664
2.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$38,302
5% 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

Explore what Culinary Arts graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 137 programs nationwide.

Read the full Culinary Arts career guide →

Compare & Explore

Culinary Arts Overview

Culinary Arts at Other Schools

Other Majors at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College

Explore the Degree Alternative

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Cincinnati State Technical and Community College's Culinary Arts program score?
At 70/100, this is a high-performing trade program. The TradeSchoolOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
Will AI replace Culinary Arts jobs?
AI resilience is a strength here. Only 20% of Culinary Arts tasks overlap with AI capabilities, and 13 of 13 career paths remain viable even in our most conservative scenario.
How affordable is Culinary Arts at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College?
Median debt of just $8,664 against $36,330/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 3 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
Are there apprenticeship options for Culinary Arts?
If Cincinnati State Technical and Community College'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.
What's the job market like for Culinary Arts from Cincinnati State Technical and Community College?
Job availability for Culinary Arts is strong — 789,200 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Cincinnati State Technical and Community College graduates specifically, local market conditions in OH may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →