Culinary Arts and Related Services at Southwestern Oregon Community College
a smaller institution with 1,199 students in Coos Bay, OR.
Program Analysis
Southwestern Oregon Community College's Culinary Arts and Related Services graduates start at $27,727/yr — above the $23,994 national average, though not by a wide margin.
Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 52.4x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Culinary Arts and Related Services programs nationally.
Some AI exposure exists in Culinary Arts and Related Services's career paths, with 20% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 20% gap from the optimistic case.
Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $12,000 in median debt clears fast against $27,727 in annual earnings.
At #20 of 137 nationally, this is a top-5% Culinary Arts and Related Services program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.
Earnings grow from $27,727 to $34,658 over five years — a 25% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.
Culinary Arts and Related Services offers 17 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.
Earnings Overview
Projected 10-Year Earnings
Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.
Top Career Paths
Top career paths for Culinary Arts and Related Services 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% |
About Culinary Arts and Related Services Careers
Your career will likely begin in the controlled chaos of a professional kitchen. As a restaurant cook, you'll spend your days prepping ingredients with precision and working the line during a busy service, mastering the grill, sauté pans, and fryer. This path is seeing incredible growth, with huge demand for skilled cooks.
Read the full Culinary Arts and Related Services career guide →
Compare & Explore
Culinary Arts and Related Services Overview
Culinary Arts and Related Services at Other Schools
Other Majors at Southwestern Oregon Community College
Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree
Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.