Culinary Arts at ECPI University

Virginia Beach, VA · Private for-profit · Certificate · Culinary Arts and Related Services

With 83% of applicants admitted, ECPI University prioritizes broad access, serving 11,270 students in Virginia Beach, VA.

Program Analysis

At $19,639 per year, Culinary Arts graduates from ECPI University earn below the $23,994 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

With a 11.1x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 0% spread between best and worst-case AI scenarios signals strong resilience. Most careers in Culinary Arts involve physical, hands-on work that current AI cannot replicate.

The median debt load of $7,823 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

A #124 ranking among 137 Culinary Arts programs places ECPI University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The 17 apprenticeship pathways connected to Culinary Arts reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

52 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
49
Low End
52
Score
52
High End
Earnings $19,639/yr (-18% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (80% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (789,200 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$205K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
11.1x
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
$18,484
Median Debt at Graduation
$7,823
4.8 months of Year 1 earnings

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

What can you do with a Culinary Arts credential from ECPI University? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

Read the full Culinary Arts career guide →

Compare & Explore

Culinary Arts Overview

Culinary Arts at Other Schools

Other Majors at ECPI 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 ECPI University's Culinary Arts program score?
A score of 52/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but ECPI University trails the majority of Culinary Arts programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
How safe is Culinary Arts from automation?
Highly resilient. Culinary Arts careers are fundamentally hands-on — they require physical presence and manual skill that AI cannot replicate. ECPI University graduates retain 13 of 13 viable career paths even under conservative assumptions.
Why are Culinary Arts earnings lower at ECPI University?
Lower starting pay at ECPI University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Can I learn Culinary Arts through an apprenticeship instead of ECPI University?
There are 17 registered apprenticeships connected to Culinary Arts occupations, such as Baker (Bake Produce) and Baker (Hotel & Restaurant). The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
Will Culinary Arts graduates from ECPI University find jobs?
With approximately 789,200 annual openings across mapped careers, Culinary Arts offers a very large employment pool. ECPI University graduates enter a market shaped by consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →