Culinary Arts at Joliet Junior College

Joliet, IL · Public · Associate Degree · Culinary Arts and Related Services

serving 8,843 students in Joliet, IL.

Program Analysis

At $28,252 per year, Culinary Arts graduates from Joliet Junior College earn slightly above the $23,994 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

With a 32.6x 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.

A #41 ranking among 137 Culinary Arts programs places Joliet Junior College in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

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

64 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
63
Low End
64
Score
64
High End
Earnings $28,252/yr (18% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (80% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (789,200 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$296K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
32.6x
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)
$9,060
Out-of-state: $27,600

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

From day-one roles to senior positions, Culinary Arts careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering personal services.

Read the full Culinary Arts career guide →

Compare & Explore

Culinary Arts Overview

Culinary Arts at Other Schools

Other Majors at Joliet Junior College

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 64/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Culinary Arts at Joliet Junior College?
This program scores 64/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Culinary Arts graduates.
Will AI replace Culinary Arts jobs?
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 Joliet Junior College?
If Joliet Junior 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.
Is there demand for Culinary Arts workers?
The very large job market (789,200 annual openings) works in favor of Culinary Arts graduates. The national outlook is driven by consistent replacement demand and industry growth, though regional variation matters.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →