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Culinary school in Texas

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

6 schools offer these culinary arts programs, and Texas 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 Texas, 3 of the 10 programs take students without a high school diploma and 7 ask for a diploma or equivalent.

By kind, the 10 programs here are culinary apprenticeship (4 programs), cooking and kitchen job training (2 programs), culinary arts (associate degree, 1 program), culinary arts certificate or diploma (1 program), and 2 more of 2 other kinds.

See the 10 programs

How much does culinary school cost in Texas?

$3,552 to $7,805 is what most culinary programs in Texas cost if you pay yourself

That is the middle half of the 7 programs with a price. All of them: $2,600 to $9,055

In the typical program

Finished the program
Not enough data
4 programs report it; a typical figure needs 5
Working 6 months later
Not enough data
3 programs report it; a typical figure needs 5
Earned a year, estimated
Not enough data
3 programs report it; a typical figure needs 5
Length
Not enough data
1 program reports it; a typical figure needs 5

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

Is there free culinary school in Texas?

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

All 10 culinary programs in Texas approved for WIOA funding

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10 programs

  • Culinary arts (associate degree)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Culinary Arts AAS (TAA Only)

    El Paso Community College

    El Paso

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    El Paso Community College, El PasoCulinary arts (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$18,800
    Price if you pay yourself$7,785
    Program website, Culinary Arts AAS (TAA Only) at El Paso Community College
    More details about Culinary Arts AAS (TAA Only) at El Paso Community College
    Finished
    100%
    Working at 6 months
    59%
    Earned in a quarter
    $4,710
    Length
    Not reported
    Cost of supplies
    $2,900
    Students counted
    463
    Earned a year, estimated
    $18,800
    Price if you pay yourself
    $7,785
    Program website, Culinary Arts AAS (TAA Only) at El Paso Community College

  • Culinary arts certificate or diplomaIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Culinary Arts Certificate (TAA Only)

    El Paso Community College

    El Paso

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    El Paso Community College, El PasoCulinary arts certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$3,605
    Program website, Culinary Arts Certificate (TAA Only) at El Paso Community College
    More details about Culinary Arts Certificate (TAA Only) at El Paso Community College
    Finished
    100%
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    Not reported
    Cost of supplies
    $2,440
    Students counted
    136
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $3,605
    Program website, Culinary Arts Certificate (TAA Only) at El Paso Community College

  • Baking and pastry (associate degree)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Culinary Arts AAS Pastry Arts (TAA Only)

    El Paso Community College

    El Paso

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    El Paso Community College, El PasoBaking and pastry (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$21,800
    Price if you pay yourself$7,825
    Program website, Culinary Arts AAS Pastry Arts (TAA Only) at El Paso Community College
    More details about Culinary Arts AAS Pastry Arts (TAA Only) at El Paso Community College
    Finished
    100%
    Working at 6 months
    55%
    Earned in a quarter
    $5,446
    Length
    Not reported
    Cost of supplies
    $2,900
    Students counted
    136
    Earned a year, estimated
    $21,800
    Price if you pay yourself
    $7,825
    Program website, Culinary Arts AAS Pastry Arts (TAA Only) at El Paso Community College

  • Cooking and kitchen job trainingIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Culinary Arts Training Program

    San Antonio Food Bank

    San Antonio

    High school diploma or equivalent

    San Antonio Food Bank, San AntonioCooking and kitchen job trainingIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$27,600
    Price if you pay yourself$2,600
    More details about Culinary Arts Training Program at San Antonio Food Bank
    Finished
    79%
    Working at 6 months
    68%
    Earned in a quarter
    $6,912
    Length
    Not reported
    Cost of supplies
    $650
    Students counted
    28
    Earned a year, estimated
    $27,600
    Price if you pay yourself
    $2,600

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

    Culinary Arts Pastry Arts Certificate (TAA Only)

    El Paso Community College

    El Paso

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    El Paso Community College, El PasoBaking and pastry certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$6,498
    Program website, Culinary Arts Pastry Arts Certificate (TAA Only) at El Paso Community College
    More details about Culinary Arts Pastry Arts Certificate (TAA Only) at El Paso Community College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    Not reported
    Cost of supplies
    $2,535
    Students counted
    40
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $6,498
    Program website, Culinary Arts Pastry Arts Certificate (TAA Only) at El Paso Community College

  • Cooking and kitchen job trainingIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Culinary Skills & Basic Food Safety

    Rboc Inc. (Rebuilding Our Community)

    Dallas

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Rboc Inc. (Rebuilding Our Community), DallasCooking and kitchen job trainingIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$3,500
    Program website, Culinary Skills & Basic Food Safety at Rboc Inc. (Rebuilding Our Community)
    More details about Culinary Skills & Basic Food Safety at Rboc Inc. (Rebuilding Our Community)
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    8 weeks, 16 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $3,500
    Program website, Culinary Skills & Basic Food Safety at Rboc Inc. (Rebuilding Our Community)

  • Culinary apprenticeshipHybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    The Acf Apprenticeship At The Culinary School Of Fort Worth

    The Culinary School Of Fort Worth

    Fort Worth

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    The Culinary School Of Fort Worth, Fort WorthCulinary apprenticeship · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$9,055
    Program website, The Acf Apprenticeship At The Culinary School Of Fort Worth at The Culinary School Of Fort Worth
    More details about The Acf Apprenticeship At The Culinary School Of Fort Worth at The Culinary School Of Fort Worth
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    Not reported
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $9,055
    Program website, The Acf Apprenticeship At The Culinary School Of Fort Worth at The Culinary School Of Fort Worth

  • Culinary apprenticeshipHybridNo diploma needed

    COOK

    Northeast Training Center Mj Training

    Houston

    No diploma needed

    Northeast Training Center Mj Training, HoustonCulinary apprenticeshipHybrid · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfNot reported
    Program website, COOK at Northeast Training Center Mj Training
    More details about COOK at Northeast Training Center Mj Training
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    Not reported
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Not reported
    Program website, COOK at Northeast Training Center Mj Training

  • Culinary apprenticeshipIn personNo diploma needed

    Chefs And Head Cook Restaurant Cook

    Culturingua

    San Antonio

    No diploma needed

    Culturingua, San AntonioCulinary apprenticeshipIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Chefs And Head Cook Restaurant Cook at Culturingua
    More details about Chefs And Head Cook Restaurant Cook at Culturingua
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    Not reported
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Chefs And Head Cook Restaurant Cook at Culturingua

  • Culinary apprenticeshipIn personNo diploma needed

    Cook Pastry

    Northeast Training Center Mj Training

    Houston

    No diploma needed

    Northeast Training Center Mj Training, HoustonCulinary apprenticeshipIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfNot reported
    Program website, Cook Pastry at Northeast Training Center Mj Training
    More details about Cook Pastry at Northeast Training Center Mj Training
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    Not reported
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Not reported
    Program website, Cook Pastry at Northeast Training Center Mj Training

How to pay for culinary school in Texas

WIOA funding can pay for culinary school in Texas

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 Texas

lowest typical price among the states with enough programs to compare
17th of 28
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 El Paso, San Antonio, Dallas and other Texas cities

Choosing an area filters the program list above.

Other training in Texas

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

Where the Texas culinary arts program numbers come from

Which Texas culinary arts programs are on this list?

These are the culinary arts programs Texas 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 Texas offers.

How the prices and results of Texas 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 Texas

Show the 9 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