Culinary Arts at Sinclair Community College

Dayton, OH · Public · Associate Degree · Culinary Arts and Related Services

enrolling 12,585 students in Dayton, OH.

Program Analysis

At $28,037 per year, Culinary Arts graduates from Sinclair Community College earn slightly above the $23,994 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 51.9x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Culinary Arts programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Culinary Arts's career paths, with 20% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 18% gap from the optimistic case.

At #19 of 137 nationally, this is a top-5% Culinary Arts program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $28,037 to $34,535 over five years — a 23% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.

Culinary Arts offers 17 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

69 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
65
Low End
69
Score
69
High End
Earnings $28,037/yr (17% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (80% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (789,200 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$358K
5.3% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
52.2x
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)
$6,870
Out-of-state: $16,632
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$34,535
23% 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

Culinary Arts at Other Schools

Other Majors at Sinclair Community 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 69/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Culinary Arts at Sinclair Community College?
This program scores 69/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Culinary Arts graduates.
How AI-proof is a career in Culinary Arts?
Highly resilient. Culinary Arts careers are fundamentally hands-on — they require physical presence and manual skill that AI cannot replicate. Sinclair Community College graduates retain 13 of 13 viable career paths even under conservative assumptions.
What makes Sinclair Community College's Culinary Arts program stand out?
Among 137 Culinary Arts programs, Sinclair Community College's #19 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Are there apprenticeship options for Culinary Arts?
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?
With approximately 789,200 annual openings across mapped careers, Culinary Arts offers a very large employment pool. Sinclair Community College graduates enter a market shaped by consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →