Culinary Arts at Monroe College

Bronx, NY · Private for-profit · Associate Degree · Culinary Arts and Related Services

With a 66% acceptance rate, Monroe College is moderately selective, serving 5,670 students in Bronx, NY.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $18,256/yr fall 24% below the $23,994 national median for Culinary Arts. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

At 8.8x the cost of tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

AI exposure is significant at 20% of job tasks, producing a 40% spread between best and worst-case decade earnings. The field isn't immune to disruption.

The $12,030 debt-to-$18,256 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #132 out of 137 programs, Monroe College's financial outcomes for Culinary Arts trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $18,256 to $28,947 over five years (59% increase) indicates that graduates in this trade see meaningful salary progression.

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

50 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
47
Low End
50
Score
51
High End
Earnings $18,256/yr (-24% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (80% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (789,200 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$320K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
8.9x
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
$35,844
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,030
7.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$28,947
59% 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

Explore what Culinary Arts graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 137 programs nationwide.

Read the full Culinary Arts career guide →

Compare & Explore

Culinary Arts Overview

Culinary Arts at Other Schools

Other Majors at Monroe College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 50/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Culinary Arts at Monroe College?
At 50/100, the score looks reasonable — but Culinary Arts is a high-scoring trade overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
Is Culinary Arts from Monroe College a future-proof career choice?
This is one of the more automation-resistant trades. Culinary Arts work requires physical skill and on-site presence — qualities AI cannot provide. Monroe College's score of 50/100 reflects this durability.
Is Monroe College a good choice for Culinary Arts despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Monroe College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Culinary Arts program at Monroe 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.
What's the job market like for Culinary Arts from Monroe College?
Job availability for Culinary Arts is strong — 789,200 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Monroe College graduates specifically, local market conditions in NY may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →