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Culinary Arts at Fox Valley Technical College

Appleton, WI · Public · Associate Degree · Culinary Arts and Related Services

with a mid-sized student body of 6,004 in Appleton, WI.

Program Analysis

At $34,736 per year, Culinary Arts graduates from Fox Valley Technical College significantly outpace the $23,994 national average for this trade, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

The 42.5x 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.

With only 20% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, the scenario spread is tight at 13%. Career paths for Culinary Arts are among the more automation-resistant trades we analyze.

The median debt load of $11,500 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

A #13 ranking out of 137 Culinary Arts programs nationally puts Fox Valley Technical College in the top 10% — a strong but not elite position.

Earnings growth is modest: $34,736 to $40,883 over five years (18% 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.

71 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
69
Low End
71
Score
71
High End
Earnings $34,736/yr (45% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (80% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (789,200 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$420K
4.2% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
42.7x
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)
$9,832
Out-of-state: $14,218
Median Debt at Graduation
$11,500
4.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$40,883
18% 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

Culinary Arts opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.

Read the full Culinary Arts career guide →

Compare & Explore

Culinary Arts Overview

View all 137 schools offering Culinary Arts →

Culinary Arts at Other Schools

Johnson County Community College ($38,977) Southeast Community College Area ($36,734) Cincinnati State Technical and Community College ($36,330) Washtenaw Community College ($33,382) 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 Fox Valley Technical College

Plumbing ($79,589) Ground Transportation ($67,999) Criminal Justice ($64,741) Nursing ($63,050) Electromechanical Technology ($58,623) Dental Assisting ($58,211) Computer Programming ($54,652) Precision Metalworking ($53,507)

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Compare Culinary Arts degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 71/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Culinary Arts at Fox Valley Technical College?
A score of 71/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Fox Valley Technical College's Culinary Arts graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
Will AI replace Culinary Arts jobs?
Highly resilient. Culinary Arts careers are fundamentally hands-on — they require physical presence and manual skill that AI cannot replicate. Fox Valley Technical College graduates retain 13 of 13 viable career paths even under conservative assumptions.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Culinary Arts graduates?
Yes — 17 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Culinary Arts career paths, including Baker (Bake Produce). Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to a program at Fox Valley Technical College.
What's the job market like for Culinary Arts from Fox Valley Technical College?
With approximately 789,200 annual openings across mapped careers, Culinary Arts offers a very large employment pool. Fox Valley Technical College graduates enter a market shaped by consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →