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Culinary Arts at Houston Community College

Houston, TX · Public · Associate Degree · Culinary Arts and Related Services

serving a student body of 37,970 in Houston, TX.

Program Analysis

At $26,419 per year, Culinary Arts graduates from Houston Community College earn slightly above the $23,994 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

The 67.7x 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 0%. Career paths for Culinary Arts are among the more automation-resistant trades we analyze.

The $20,327 debt-to-$26,419 income ratio translates to about 9 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

A #12 ranking out of 137 Culinary Arts programs nationally puts Houston Community College in the top 10% — a strong but not elite position.

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 $26,419/yr (10% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (80% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (789,200 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Year 1 Earnings
$26K
Reported median after graduation
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
67.7x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
13 of 13
Occupations with strong AI resilience
Program Tuition (In-State)
$4,080
Out-of-state: $10,920
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,327
9.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$22,509
Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes

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 Houston Community College and 136 other schools.

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) Fox Valley Technical College ($34,736) 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)

Other Majors at Houston Community College

Allied Health Professions ($67,098) Nursing ($66,743) Allied Health Professions ($64,648) Engineering Science ($61,518) Physical Science Technology ($60,612) Criminal Justice ($56,454) Dental Assisting ($56,005) Clinical Laboratory Science ($48,172)

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 is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Culinary Arts at Houston Community College?
At 71/100, this is a high-performing trade program. The TradeSchoolOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
How AI-proof is a career in Culinary Arts?
Culinary Arts rates as "AI-Proof" for AI resilience. With only 20% of tasks exposed to automation, the trade's physical demands provide a natural shield against AI displacement.
Can I learn Culinary Arts through an apprenticeship instead of Houston Community College?
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 Houston Community College.
How many job openings are there for Culinary Arts graduates?
Job availability for Culinary Arts is strong — 789,200 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Houston Community College graduates specifically, local market conditions in TX may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →