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Culinary school in Louisiana

10 culinary programs with costs, results and funding that can make them free

7 schools offer these culinary arts programs, and Louisiana has approved every one for workforce funding. Each shows its price if you pay yourself and how past students did.

Chefs and head cooks run the daily food preparation in restaurants and other places that serve food. Most start with a high school diploma and kitchen experience; some go through a culinary program at a community college, technical school or culinary school, and others learn in an apprenticeship.1

In Louisiana, 7 of the 10 programs take students without a high school diploma, 2 ask for a diploma or equivalent and 1 asks for an associate degree.

By kind, the 10 programs here are culinary arts (associate degree, 4 programs), culinary arts certificate or diploma (4 programs), culinary program (level not stated, 1 program) and baking and pastry certificate or diploma (1 program).

See the 10 programs

How much does culinary school cost in Louisiana?

$8,864 to $15,484 is what most culinary programs in Louisiana cost if you pay yourself

That is the middle half of the 10 programs with a price. All of them: $5,606 to $19,103

In the typical program

Finished the program
Left out
Half of Louisiana's programs report exactly 100%
Working 6 months later
Left out
Most of Louisiana's programs report exactly 100%, which no other state comes close to
Earned a year, estimated
about $16,800
Length
30 to 64 weeks

Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Only programs approved for workforce funding are listed; other schools in Louisiana may also offer culinary school. How these figures are made

Is there free culinary school in Louisiana?

Who qualifies, and other ways to pay: financial aid, grants and the GI Bill

All 10 culinary programs in Louisiana approved for WIOA funding

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10 programs

  • Culinary arts (associate degree)In personAssociate's degree

    Culinary Arts

    Nicholls State University

    Thibodaux

    Accredited school

    Associate's degree

    Nicholls State University, ThibodauxCulinary arts (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · Associate's degree

    Earned a year, estimated$18,700
    Price if you pay yourself$19,103
    Program website, Culinary Arts at Nicholls State University
    More details about Culinary Arts at Nicholls State University
    Finished
    Left out
    Working at 6 months
    Left out
    Earned in a quarter
    $4,680
    Length
    64 weeks, 15 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $4,100
    Students counted
    449
    Earned a year, estimated
    $18,700
    Price if you pay yourself
    $19,103
    Program website, Culinary Arts at Nicholls State University

  • Culinary arts (associate degree)In personNo diploma needed

    Culinary Arts

    South Louisiana Community College

    Lafayette

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    South Louisiana Community College, LafayetteCulinary arts (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimated$14,800
    Price if you pay yourself$8,478
    Program website, Culinary Arts at South Louisiana Community College
    More details about Culinary Arts at South Louisiana Community College
    Finished
    Left out
    Working at 6 months
    Left out
    Earned in a quarter
    $3,702
    Length
    Left out
    Cost of supplies
    $2,785
    Students counted
    188
    Earned a year, estimated
    $14,800
    Price if you pay yourself
    $8,478
    Program website, Culinary Arts at South Louisiana Community College

  • Culinary arts certificate or diplomaIn personNo diploma needed

    Culinary Arts and Occupations

    Baton Rouge Community College- Mid City Campus

    Baton Rouge

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Baton Rouge Community College- Mid City Campus, Baton RougeCulinary arts certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimated$14,000
    Price if you pay yourself$12,666
    Program website, Culinary Arts and Occupations at Baton Rouge Community College- Mid City Campus
    More details about Culinary Arts and Occupations at Baton Rouge Community College- Mid City Campus
    Finished
    Left out
    Working at 6 months
    Left out
    Earned in a quarter
    $3,506
    Length
    40 weeks, 16 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $4,300
    Students counted
    162
    Earned a year, estimated
    $14,000
    Price if you pay yourself
    $12,666
    Program website, Culinary Arts and Occupations at Baton Rouge Community College- Mid City Campus

  • Culinary program (level not stated)In personNo diploma needed

    Culinary Arts and Occupations

    Nunez Community College

    Chalmette

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Nunez Community College, ChalmetteCulinary program (level not stated) · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimated$8,500
    Price if you pay yourself$10,022
    Program website, Culinary Arts and Occupations at Nunez Community College
    More details about Culinary Arts and Occupations at Nunez Community College
    Finished
    Left out
    Working at 6 months
    Left out
    Earned in a quarter
    $2,128
    Length
    64 weeks, 30 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $3,100
    Students counted
    106
    Earned a year, estimated
    $8,500
    Price if you pay yourself
    $10,022
    Program website, Culinary Arts and Occupations at Nunez Community College

  • Culinary arts certificate or diplomaIn personNo diploma needed

    Culinary Arts - Certificate of Technical Studies

    Bossier Parish Community College

    Bossier City

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Bossier Parish Community College, Bossier CityCulinary arts certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimated$19,000
    Price if you pay yourself$5,606
    Program website, Culinary Arts - Certificate of Technical Studies at Bossier Parish Community College
    More details about Culinary Arts - Certificate of Technical Studies at Bossier Parish Community College
    Finished
    Left out
    Working at 6 months
    Left out
    Earned in a quarter
    $4,754
    Length
    30 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,600
    Students counted
    98
    Earned a year, estimated
    $19,000
    Price if you pay yourself
    $5,606
    Program website, Culinary Arts - Certificate of Technical Studies at Bossier Parish Community College

  • Culinary arts certificate or diplomaIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Culinary Arts Certificate Program

    New Orleans Culinary & Hospitality Institute

    New Orleans

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    New Orleans Culinary & Hospitality Institute, New OrleansCulinary arts certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$27,400
    Price if you pay yourself$16,000

    24 students trained with WIOA funding

    Program website, Culinary Arts Certificate Program at New Orleans Culinary & Hospitality Institute
    More details about Culinary Arts Certificate Program at New Orleans Culinary & Hospitality Institute
    Finished
    Left out
    Working at 6 months
    Left out
    Earned in a quarter
    $6,862
    Length
    20 weeks, 30 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $801
    Students counted
    24
    Earned a year, estimated
    $27,400
    Price if you pay yourself
    $16,000
    students trained with WIOA funding
    24
    Program website, Culinary Arts Certificate Program at New Orleans Culinary & Hospitality Institute

  • Culinary arts certificate or diplomaIn personNo diploma needed

    Culinary Arts - Technical Diploma

    Bossier Parish Community College

    Bossier City

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Bossier Parish Community College, Bossier CityCulinary arts certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$7,783
    Program website, Culinary Arts - Technical Diploma at Bossier Parish Community College
    More details about Culinary Arts - Technical Diploma at Bossier Parish Community College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    48 weeks, 50 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $3,075
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $7,783
    Program website, Culinary Arts - Technical Diploma at Bossier Parish Community College

  • Culinary arts (associate degree)In personNo diploma needed

    Culinary Arts- Associate of Applied Science

    Bossier Parish Community College

    Bossier City

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Bossier Parish Community College, Bossier CityCulinary arts (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$10,378
    Program website, Culinary Arts- Associate of Applied Science at Bossier Parish Community College
    More details about Culinary Arts- Associate of Applied Science at Bossier Parish Community College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    64 weeks, 50 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $3,950
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $10,378
    Program website, Culinary Arts- Associate of Applied Science at Bossier Parish Community College

  • Culinary arts (associate degree)HybridNo diploma needed

    Culinary Arts

    SOWELA Technical Community College

    Lake Charles

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    SOWELA Technical Community College, Lake CharlesCulinary arts (associate degree) · Accredited schoolHybrid · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$13,934
    Program website, Culinary Arts at SOWELA Technical Community College
    More details about Culinary Arts at SOWELA Technical Community College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    60 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $5,600
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $13,934
    Program website, Culinary Arts at SOWELA Technical Community College

  • Baking and pastry certificate or diplomaIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Baking & Pastry Arts Certificate Program

    New Orleans Culinary & Hospitality Institute

    New Orleans

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    New Orleans Culinary & Hospitality Institute, New OrleansBaking and pastry certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$16,000
    Program website, Baking & Pastry Arts Certificate Program at New Orleans Culinary & Hospitality Institute
    More details about Baking & Pastry Arts Certificate Program at New Orleans Culinary & Hospitality Institute
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    20 weeks, 50 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $911
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $16,000
    Program website, Baking & Pastry Arts Certificate Program at New Orleans Culinary & Hospitality Institute

How to pay for culinary school in Louisiana

WIOA funding can pay for culinary school in Louisiana

Every program on this page is approved for it. Whether you qualify, how much your local area pays and how to apply are on our page Does WIOA pay for job training?

Financial aid and grants for culinary school

Most students can get federal student aid for college, career school or trade school. A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, usually doesn't have to be repaid. Ask the school whether its program qualifies.67

GI Bill for culinary school

Veterans, service members and qualified dependents can use GI Bill benefits for non-college training programs.8

The program list does not show which programs accept these. Ask the school.

Quick facts: Culinary school in Louisiana

programs with a price cost under $10,000
3 of 10
lowest typical price among the states with enough programs to compare
27th of 28
other states where the typical program's graduates earned less
2 of 15
culinary programs here, against the typical state's 8
10 vs 8

State comparisons use the same figures as the culinary school by state table: the middle program of each state, and only states with three or more schools for prices. Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025).

Culinary school in New Orleans, Shreveport, Houma and other Louisiana cities

Choosing an area filters the program list above.

Other training in Louisiana

How culinary school compares with the rest of food and hospitality: Culinary and hospitality programs in Louisiana

Where the Louisiana culinary arts program numbers come from

Which Louisiana culinary arts programs are on this list?

These are the culinary arts programs Louisiana approved for WIOA funding (public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), as reported to the US Department of Labor for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Each state keeps its approved programs on an eligible training provider list (ETPL).9 The list here covers programs approved as of June 30, 2025. Schools that never applied for approval are missing, so this is a part of what Louisiana offers.

How the prices and results of Louisiana culinary arts programs are measured

Prices are tuition and required fees for someone paying without workforce funding, as the school reported them; check the current price with the school. Results describe students who left each program in recent years, so they are no guarantee, and the yearly earnings are the reported quarter times four, an estimate. A program without a "Trained with WIOA funding" line may still take WIOA students. Where a field was left empty or withheld, the page says "Not reported", and "Left out" where a figure was filed but failed one of our checks; nothing is estimated to fill a gap. Where the numbers come from explains each figure in full.

How reliable are the Louisiana figures?

The US Department of Labor's own results site lists Louisiana among the states with "known data quality concerns".10 We leave out the share working 6 months later for Louisiana: most of its programs report exactly 100%, which no other state comes close to. We leave out the share who finished for Louisiana: half of its programs report exactly 100%.

Sources for the facts about culinary school in Louisiana

Show the 10 sourcesHide the sources
  1. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Chefs and Head Cooks
  2. US Department of Labor, TrainingProviderResults.gov: About This Site
  3. US Department of Labor: WIOA Adult Program
  4. Code of Federal Regulations, title 20, part 680, sections 680.220, 680.230 and 680.310: career services before training, other grants such as Pell Grants first, and limits on Individual Training Accounts (GovInfo, 2024 edition)
  5. US Department of Labor: American Job Centers
  6. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Eligibility for Federal Student Aid
  7. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Don't Miss Out on Federal Pell Grants
  8. US Department of Veterans Affairs: GI Bill benefits for non-college degree programs
  9. US Department of Labor, Training and Employment Guidance Letter 8-19, Attachment I: Requirements for Training Providers, Program Eligibility, and the State Eligible Training Provider (ETP) List
  10. US Department of Labor, TrainingProviderResults.gov: search page, note on states with known data quality concerns