Culinary Institute of America
- Graduation Rate
- 64% C+
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $47,475 B-
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $36,113 F
- 111% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 91% D
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C- overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 8.8× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $8.8 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $8.8 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,126,022.
What The Data Says
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A C- overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Every $1 invested returns $8.8 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Culinary Institute of America Matters
Culinary Institute of America is a private special-focus institution in Hyde Park, NY and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private Special-Focus Institution
- Carnegie Class
- Special Focus
- Enrollment
- 3,011
- Setting
- Suburban
- Primary Strengths
- Culinary & Personal Services, Business & Marketing
Why students choose Culinary Institute of America
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 91% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 928–1183. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $36,113 a year after grants and scholarships — 111% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $47,475 ten years after enrolling — 16% above the typical college, against $15,750 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.5% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 47% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.68 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
At the Culinary Institute of America, students who are passionate about food and hospitality find their niche. With an acceptance rate of 91%, this school welcomes a diverse group of individuals eager to dive into programs like Culinary & Personal Services and Business & Marketing. It's a space where creativity meets practicality, preparing graduates for various roles in the culinary world.
After graduation, students can anticipate an average earning of $47,475 within ten years, which speaks to the value of the education received here. While the school has a graduation rate of 64%, many alumni find their place in the workforce, with skills that can elevate them in their careers. The affordability factor is significant, especially when considering the net price, which averages around $36,113 after aid.
When we look at the financial side, students graduate with a median debt of $15,750, which is manageable for many. This makes it easier for graduates to focus on their careers rather than being weighed down by heavy loans. Those who thrive here are typically driven individuals who are committed to honing their skills in the culinary arts or business aspects of the industry. If you're looking to turn your passion for food into a career, this could be a great fit.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Culinary Institute of America is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Culinary Institute of America? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Hyde Park, New York, Culinary Institute of America admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 91%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,060. The graduation rate is roughly 64%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 91%
- Retention Rate
- 70%
- SAT Average
- 1060
- SAT Range
- 928–1183
- ACT Range
- 17–23
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $10,143
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 20:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.72
- First-Gen Students
- 28%
- Applicants
- 1,887
- Admitted
- 1,790
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Culinary Institute of America? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Culinary Institute of America is $39,850, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $36,113. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $29,690 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $15,750 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $39,850
- Out-of-State
- $39,850
- Avg Net Price
- $36,113
- Median Debt
- $15,750
- Pell Grant Rate
- 29%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 53%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $29,690
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $29,527
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $34,603
- Family Income $110K+
- $41,789
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Culinary Institute of America — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Culinary Institute of America Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Culinary Institute of America earn a median of $47,475, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $37,846
- 8 Years
- $43,549
- 10 Years
- $47,475
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.33x
- Earning > $25K
- 70%
Earnings Trajectory
How Culinary Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Culinary Institute of America Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Culinary Institute of America delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $36,113/year ($144,452 total). Graduates earn $47,475 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,270,474 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,126,022 (8.8× your investment). The median debt is $15,750, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 64% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $144,452
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,270,474
- Net Return
- $1,126,022
- ROI Multiple
- 8.8×
- Cost Per Year
- $36,113
- Median Debt
- $15,750
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 64%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Culinary Institute of America Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Culinary Institute of America is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.51%, well above the typical college. About 5.2% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 29.2% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $102,800, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.51%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 29.2%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 5.2%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $139,669
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $8,379,686
- Investment Income
- $-5,469,944
Top Programs
The fields Culinary Institute of America awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Culinary & Personal Services 72% $54,367 early-career
- Business & Marketing 24% $46,038 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Culinary Institute of America's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CTraining Manager$125,040 · 6% growthResilient 74
- CProduct Manager$125,000 · 8% growthAdaptable 52
- C-Scrum Master$105,000 · 8% growthAdaptable 52
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Culinary Institute of America? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Hyde Park, New York, Culinary Institute of America admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 91%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,060. The graduation rate is roughly 64%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Culinary Institute of America? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Culinary Institute of America is $39,850, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $36,113. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $29,690 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $15,750 in federal student loans.
Is Culinary Institute of America Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Culinary Institute of America earn a median of $47,475, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Culinary Institute of America Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Culinary Institute of America is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.51%, well above the typical college. About 5.2% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 29.2% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $102,800, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Culinary Institute of America? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Culinary Institute of America. Its economic connectedness score is 1.68, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Culinary Institute of America.
- Everglades UniversityBoca Raton, FL · Close peer59% grad $47,597 earn 81% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Flagler CollegeSaint Augustine, FL · Close peer56% grad $49,483 earn 81% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate
- Palm Beach Atlantic UniversityWest Palm Beach, FL · Close peer57% grad $49,232 earn 82% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Loyola University New OrleansNew Orleans, LA · Close peer63% grad $52,927 earn 93% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Oral Roberts UniversityTulsa, OK · Close peer56% grad $46,885 earn 99% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Point Park UniversityPittsburgh, PA · Close peer59% grad $45,856 earn 97% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Culinary Institute of America? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Culinary Institute of America. Its economic connectedness score is 1.68, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note