Culinary school in North Carolina
13 culinary programs with costs, results and funding that can make them free
12 schools offer these culinary arts programs, and North Carolina 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 North Carolina, 2 of the 13 programs take students without a high school diploma and 11 ask for a diploma or equivalent.
By kind, the 13 programs here are culinary arts (associate degree, 6 programs), culinary arts certificate or diploma (3 programs), baking and pastry (associate degree, 2 programs) and culinary program (level not stated, 2 programs).
See the 13 programsHow much does culinary school cost in North Carolina?
- Two-year degrees (8 programs)
- $5,281 to $5,975most of them, usually 74 to 80 weeks long
- Other culinary arts programs (3 programs)
- $190 to $1,480all 3 with a price
What you pay yourself for the whole program, as the schools report it. "Most" is the middle half of the programs with a price.
In the typical program
- Finished the program
- 34%
- Working 6 months later
- 77%
- Earned a year, estimated
- about $31,700
- Length
- 42 to 80 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 North Carolina may also offer culinary school. How these figures are made
All 13 culinary programs in North Carolina approved for WIOA funding
Filters
13 programs
Culinary Arts AAS Degree
Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College
Asheville
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$37,300Price if you pay yourself$5,396School website, Culinary Arts AAS Degree at Asheville Buncombe Technical Community CollegeMore details about Culinary Arts AAS Degree at Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College
- Finished
- 38%
- Working at 6 months
- 79%
- Earned in a quarter
- $9,313
- Length
- 80 weeks, 40 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $3,465
- Students counted
- 214
- Earned a year, estimated
- $37,300
- Price if you pay yourself
- $5,396
Baking and Pastry Arts
Cape Fear Community College
Wilmington
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$32,200Price if you pay yourself$5,867School website, Baking and Pastry Arts at Cape Fear Community CollegeMore details about Baking and Pastry Arts at Cape Fear Community College
- Finished
- 21%
- Working at 6 months
- 80%
- Earned in a quarter
- $8,046
- Length
- 74 weeks, 25 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $1,369
- Students counted
- 97
- Earned a year, estimated
- $32,200
- Price if you pay yourself
- $5,867
Baking and Pastry Arts AAS Degree
Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College
Asheville
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$31,300Price if you pay yourself$5,4954 students trained with WIOA funding
School website, Baking and Pastry Arts AAS Degree at Asheville Buncombe Technical Community CollegeMore details about Baking and Pastry Arts AAS Degree at Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College
- Finished
- 30%
- Working at 6 months
- 73%
- Earned in a quarter
- $7,827
- Length
- 80 weeks, 23 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $3,062
- Students counted
- 96
- Earned a year, estimated
- $31,300
- Price if you pay yourself
- $5,495
- students trained with WIOA funding
- 4
Culinary Arts
Central Carolina Community College
Sanford
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$18,500Price if you pay yourself$4,936School website, Culinary Arts at Central Carolina Community CollegeMore details about Culinary Arts at Central Carolina Community College
- Finished
- 27%
- Working at 6 months
- 74%
- Earned in a quarter
- $4,626
- Length
- 64 weeks, 14 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $1,400
- Students counted
- 61
- Earned a year, estimated
- $18,500
- Price if you pay yourself
- $4,936
Culinary Arts Training
Forsyth Technical Community College
Winston-Salem
Accredited school
No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimated$29,700Price if you pay yourself$1908 students trained with WIOA funding
Program website, Culinary Arts Training at Forsyth Technical Community CollegeMore details about Culinary Arts Training at Forsyth Technical Community College
- Finished
- 92%
- Working at 6 months
- 92%
- Earned in a quarter
- $7,420
- Length
- 16 weeks, 20 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $200
- Students counted
- 13
- Earned a year, estimated
- $29,700
- Price if you pay yourself
- $190
- students trained with WIOA funding
- 8
Culinary Arts & Related Services
Tri-County Community College
Murphy
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$36,700Price if you pay yourself$4,864School website, Culinary Arts & Related Services at Tri-County Community CollegeMore details about Culinary Arts & Related Services at Tri-County Community College
- Finished
- 44%
- Working at 6 months
- 56%
- Earned in a quarter
- $9,180
- Length
- 80 weeks, 8 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- 10
- Earned a year, estimated
- $36,700
- Price if you pay yourself
- $4,864
Culinary Arts
Brunswick Community College
Supply
Accredited school
No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimatedNot reportedPrice if you pay yourself$360Program website, Culinary Arts at Brunswick Community CollegeMore details about Culinary Arts at Brunswick Community College
- Finished
- Not reported
- Working at 6 months
- Not reported
- Earned in a quarter
- Not reported
- Length
- 16 weeks, 8 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $570
- Students counted
- Not reported
- Earned a year, estimated
- Not reported
- Price if you pay yourself
- $360
Culinary Technology (Pantry Chef - Garde Manger)
Fayetteville Technical Community College
Fayetteville
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimatedNot reportedPrice if you pay yourself$1,480School website, Culinary Technology (Pantry Chef - Garde Manger) at Fayetteville Technical Community CollegeMore details about Culinary Technology (Pantry Chef - Garde Manger) at Fayetteville Technical Community College
- Finished
- Not reported
- Working at 6 months
- Not reported
- Earned in a quarter
- Not reported
- Length
- 32 weeks, 9 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- Not reported
- Earned a year, estimated
- Not reported
- Price if you pay yourself
- $1,480
Culinary Arts
College of the Albemarle
Elizabeth City
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimatedNot reportedPrice if you pay yourself$3,373Program website, Culinary Arts at College of the AlbemarleMore details about Culinary Arts at College of the Albemarle
- Finished
- Not reported
- Working at 6 months
- Not reported
- Earned in a quarter
- Not reported
- Length
- 42 weeks, 33 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $800
- Students counted
- Not reported
- Earned a year, estimated
- Not reported
- Price if you pay yourself
- $3,373
Culinary Arts AA/AS
Lenoir Community College
Kinston
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimatedNot reportedPrice if you pay yourself$5,776Program website, Culinary Arts AA/AS at Lenoir Community CollegeMore details about Culinary Arts AA/AS at Lenoir Community College
- Finished
- Not reported
- Working at 6 months
- Not reported
- Earned in a quarter
- Not reported
- Length
- 72 weeks, 14 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $2,100
- Students counted
- Not reported
- Earned a year, estimated
- Not reported
- Price if you pay yourself
- $5,776
Culinary Technology
Southwestern Community College
Sylva
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimatedNot reportedPrice if you pay yourself$6,176School website, Culinary Technology at Southwestern Community CollegeMore details about Culinary Technology at Southwestern Community College
- Finished
- Not reported
- Working at 6 months
- Not reported
- Earned in a quarter
- Not reported
- Length
- 80 weeks, 13 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $2,526
- Students counted
- Not reported
- Earned a year, estimated
- Not reported
- Price if you pay yourself
- $6,176
Culinary Arts AA/AS
Coastal Carolina Community College
Jacksonville
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimatedNot reportedPrice if you pay yourself$6,300Program website, Culinary Arts AA/AS at Coastal Carolina Community CollegeMore details about Culinary Arts AA/AS at Coastal Carolina Community College
- Finished
- Not reported
- Working at 6 months
- Not reported
- Earned in a quarter
- Not reported
- Length
- 75 weeks, 12 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $2,055
- Students counted
- Not reported
- Earned a year, estimated
- Not reported
- Price if you pay yourself
- $6,300
Culinary Arts AA/AS
Carteret Community College
Morehead City
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimatedNot reportedPrice if you pay yourself$7,600Program website, Culinary Arts AA/AS at Carteret Community CollegeMore details about Culinary Arts AA/AS at Carteret Community College
- Finished
- Not reported
- Working at 6 months
- Not reported
- Earned in a quarter
- Not reported
- Length
- 80 weeks, 12 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $2,500
- Students counted
- Not reported
- Earned a year, estimated
- Not reported
- Price if you pay yourself
- $7,600
No programs match these filters.
How to pay for culinary school in North Carolina
WIOA funding can pay for culinary school in North Carolina
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 North Carolina
- programs with a price cost under $3,000
- 3 of 13
- lowest typical price among the states with enough programs to compare
- 11th of 28
- other states where the typical program's graduates earned less
- 13 of 15
- culinary programs here, against the typical state's 8
- 13 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 Asheville, Wilmington, Sanford and other North Carolina cities
Choosing an area filters the program list above. 2 more programs are in 2 other areas, 3 in smaller cities and towns.
Other training in North Carolina
How culinary school compares with the rest of food and hospitality: Culinary and hospitality programs in North Carolina
- CDL training90 programs
- CNA classes113 programs
- Medical assistant training75 programs
- Phlebotomy training64 programs
- Welding classes89 programs
- HVAC training65 programs
- Medical billing and coding training58 programs
- LPN programs34 programs
- EMT classes66 programs
- Electrician training43 programs
- Dental assistant programs36 programs
- Auto mechanic classes33 programs
- Pharmacy technician training51 programs
- Plumbing school10 programs
- CNC machinist training33 programs
- Carpentry classes6 programs
- Heavy equipment operator training4 programs
- Diesel mechanic training8 programs
- Cybersecurity training33 programs
- IT training110 programs
- Cosmetology school16 programs
- Barber school7 programs
- Esthetician school11 programs
- Nail tech school6 programs
- EKG technician programs25 programs
- Massage therapy school10 programs
- Paralegal programs17 programs
- Fire academy8 programs
- Police academy37 programs
- Surgical tech programs21 programs
- Radiology tech programs15 programs
- Home health aide training1 program
- PTA programs9 programs
- Medical administrative assistant training58 programs
- Human resources training22 programs
- Medication aide training33 programs
- Industrial maintenance technician training19 programs
- Early childhood education programs57 programs
- Aircraft mechanic school6 programs
- Supply chain and logistics training15 programs
- Hospitality management programs7 programs
- Addiction counselor training7 programs
- Coding and software development courses20 programs
- Lineman school13 programs
- Sterile processing technician training15 programs
- Sonography school13 programs
- Data analytics courses17 programs
- Administrative assistant training21 programs
- Respiratory therapy programs11 programs
- Medical lab technician programs13 programs
- AutoCAD and drafting courses5 programs
- Digital marketing courses5 programs
- Web and graphic design courses10 programs
- Health information technology programs12 programs
- Vet tech programs12 programs
- Real estate school1 program
- Patient care technician training3 programs
- OTA programs5 programs
- Interpreter and translator training5 programs
- Home inspector training2 programs
- Forklift certification13 programs
- Personal trainer certification6 programs
- Healthcare administration programs9 programs
- Customer service training2 programs
- MRI tech school4 programs
- RBT certification training2 programs
- Mental health technician training2 programs
- Human services programs34 programs
- Manufacturing technician training11 programs
- Electronics technician training17 programs
- Business administration programs55 programs
- Criminal justice programs31 programs
- Teacher assistant certification3 programs
- Auto body repair classes11 programs
- Sleep technician training3 programs
- Solar and wind technician training4 programs
- Water treatment operator training2 programs
- Dialysis technician training4 programs
- Optician training7 programs
- Masonry training5 programs
- Construction training programs24 programs
- Dental hygiene programs8 programs
- Accounting and bookkeeping classes29 programs
- RN programs71 programs
- Project management certification29 programs
Where the North Carolina culinary arts program numbers come from
Which North Carolina culinary arts programs are on this list?
These are the culinary arts programs North Carolina 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 North Carolina offers.
How the prices and results of North Carolina 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.
Sources for the facts about culinary school in North Carolina
Show the 9 sourcesHide the sources
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Chefs and Head Cooks
- US Department of Labor, TrainingProviderResults.gov: About This Site
- US Department of Labor: WIOA Adult Program
- 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)
- US Department of Labor: American Job Centers
- US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Eligibility for Federal Student Aid
- US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Don't Miss Out on Federal Pell Grants
- US Department of Veterans Affairs: GI Bill benefits for non-college degree programs
- 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