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Culinary Arts at Milwaukee Area Technical College

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

serving 11,362 students in Milwaukee, WI.

Program Analysis

Milwaukee Area Technical College's Culinary Arts graduates start at $25,304/yr — above the $23,994 national average, though not by a wide margin.

The 33.6x 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.

AI risk is moderate — 20% task exposure — and the 22% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Culinary Arts graduates.

The $14,125 debt-to-$25,304 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #56 out of 137 programs, Milwaukee Area Technical College's Culinary Arts offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $25,304 to $32,428 shows 28% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

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

62 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
58
Low End
62
Score
62
High End
Earnings $25,304/yr (5% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (80% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (789,200 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$340K
6.4% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
33.9x
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)
$10,034
Out-of-state: $14,420
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,125
6.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$32,428
28% 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

See the full career breakdown for Culinary Arts — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from Milwaukee Area Technical 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 Milwaukee Area Technical College

Nursing ($69,145) Dental Assisting ($65,196) Allied Health Professions ($54,937) Business Administration ($43,437) Computer Networking ($43,276) Criminal Justice ($38,027) Mental Health Services ($37,325) Practical Nursing ($36,583)

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Compare Culinary Arts degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Milwaukee Area Technical College's Culinary Arts program score?
A score of 62/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Culinary Arts field.
How safe is Culinary Arts from automation?
This is one of the more automation-resistant trades. Culinary Arts work requires physical skill and on-site presence — qualities AI cannot provide. Milwaukee Area Technical College's score of 62/100 reflects this durability.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Culinary Arts program at Milwaukee Area Technical College?
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.
How many job openings are there for Culinary Arts graduates?
At 789,200 annual openings, Culinary Arts has a very large employment base. Milwaukee Area Technical College graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →