Culinary school in Seattle, Washington
26 culinary programs with costs, results and funding that can make them free
7 schools offer these culinary arts programs with classes in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue area, and every one is approved 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 Seattle, 3 of the 26 programs take students without a high school diploma, 20 ask for a diploma or equivalent, 2 ask for earlier courses first and 1 asks for an associate degree.
By kind, the 26 programs here are culinary arts certificate or diploma (8 programs), baking and pastry certificate or diploma (7 programs), baking and pastry (associate degree, 5 programs), culinary arts (associate degree, 5 programs), and 1 more of one other kind.
See the 26 programsAll 44 culinary programs in Washington, including online programs
How much does culinary school cost in Seattle?
- Certificates and short courses (16 programs)
- $3,573 to $8,733most of them, usually 30 to 44 weeks long
- Two-year degrees (10 programs)
- $10,094 to $13,088most of them, usually 60 weeks long
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
- 77%
- Working 6 months later
- 67%
- Earned a year, estimated
- about $33,100
- Length
- 30 to 60 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 Seattle may also offer culinary school. How these figures are made
All 26 culinary programs in Seattle approved for WIOA funding
Filters
26 programs
Specialty Desserts & Breads
Seattle Central College
Seattle
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimatedNot reportedPrice if you pay yourself$10,167Program website, Specialty Desserts & Breads at Seattle Central CollegeMore details about Specialty Desserts & Breads at Seattle Central College
- Finished
- 77%
- Working at 6 months
- Not reported
- Earned in a quarter
- Not reported
- Length
- 60 weeks, 16 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- 92
- Earned a year, estimated
- Not reported
- Price if you pay yourself
- $10,167
Culinary Arts
Renton Technical College
Renton
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$29,400Price if you pay yourself$15,588Program website, Culinary Arts at Renton Technical CollegeMore details about Culinary Arts at Renton Technical College
- Finished
- 75%
- Working at 6 months
- 73%
- Earned in a quarter
- $7,350
- Length
- 65 weeks, 18 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- 28
- Earned a year, estimated
- $29,400
- Price if you pay yourself
- $15,588
Hospitality-Line Cook
Bates Technical College
Tacoma
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$26,000Price if you pay yourself$3,609Program website, Hospitality-Line Cook at Bates Technical CollegeMore details about Hospitality-Line Cook at Bates Technical College
- Finished
- 56%
- Working at 6 months
- 40%
- Earned in a quarter
- $6,509
- Length
- 40 weeks, 17 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- 19
- Earned a year, estimated
- $26,000
- Price if you pay yourself
- $3,609
Culinary Arts
Bates Technical College
Tacoma
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$26,000Price if you pay yourself$5,414Program website, Culinary Arts at Bates Technical CollegeMore details about Culinary Arts at Bates Technical College
- Finished
- 56%
- Working at 6 months
- 40%
- Earned in a quarter
- $6,509
- Length
- 60 weeks, 20 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $763
- Students counted
- 19
- Earned a year, estimated
- $26,000
- Price if you pay yourself
- $5,414
Culinary Arts: Basic Cooking Skills
Clover Park Technical College
Lakewood
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$27,900Price if you pay yourself$8,348Program website, Culinary Arts: Basic Cooking Skills at Clover Park Technical CollegeMore details about Culinary Arts: Basic Cooking Skills at Clover Park Technical College
- Finished
- 82%
- Working at 6 months
- 42%
- Earned in a quarter
- $6,978
- Length
- 30 weeks, 26 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- 18
- Earned a year, estimated
- $27,900
- Price if you pay yourself
- $8,348
Pastry Arts Basic
Clover Park Technical College
Lakewood
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$27,900Price if you pay yourself$8,494Program website, Pastry Arts Basic at Clover Park Technical CollegeMore details about Pastry Arts Basic at Clover Park Technical College
- Finished
- 82%
- Working at 6 months
- 42%
- Earned in a quarter
- $6,978
- Length
- 30 weeks, 27 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- 18
- Earned a year, estimated
- $27,900
- Price if you pay yourself
- $8,494
Pastry Arts Advanced
Clover Park Technical College
Lakewood
Accredited school
Prerequisite courses
Earned a year, estimated$27,900Price if you pay yourself$9,450Program website, Pastry Arts Advanced at Clover Park Technical CollegeMore details about Pastry Arts Advanced at Clover Park Technical College
- Finished
- 82%
- Working at 6 months
- 42%
- Earned in a quarter
- $6,978
- Length
- 30 weeks, 20 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- 18
- Earned a year, estimated
- $27,900
- Price if you pay yourself
- $9,450
Culinary Arts
Clover Park Technical College
Lakewood
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$27,900Price if you pay yourself$13,379Program website, Culinary Arts at Clover Park Technical CollegeMore details about Culinary Arts at Clover Park Technical College
- Finished
- 82%
- Working at 6 months
- 42%
- Earned in a quarter
- $6,978
- Length
- 50 weeks, 25 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- 18
- Earned a year, estimated
- $27,900
- Price if you pay yourself
- $13,379
Pastry Arts
Clover Park Technical College
Lakewood
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$27,900Price if you pay yourself$13,422Program website, Pastry Arts at Clover Park Technical CollegeMore details about Pastry Arts at Clover Park Technical College
- Finished
- 82%
- Working at 6 months
- 42%
- Earned in a quarter
- $6,978
- Length
- 50 weeks, 26 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- 18
- Earned a year, estimated
- $27,900
- Price if you pay yourself
- $13,422
Basic Catering
Edmonds College
Lynnwood
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$39,800Price if you pay yourself$3,464Program website, Basic Catering at Edmonds CollegeMore details about Basic Catering at Edmonds College
- Finished
- 77%
- Working at 6 months
- 86%
- Earned in a quarter
- $9,962
- Length
- 30 weeks, 24 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- 13
- Earned a year, estimated
- $39,800
- Price if you pay yourself
- $3,464
Basic Commercial Cooking
Edmonds College
Lynnwood
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$39,800Price if you pay yourself$3,464Program website, Basic Commercial Cooking at Edmonds CollegeMore details about Basic Commercial Cooking at Edmonds College
- Finished
- 77%
- Working at 6 months
- 86%
- Earned in a quarter
- $9,962
- Length
- 30 weeks, 14 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- 13
- Earned a year, estimated
- $39,800
- Price if you pay yourself
- $3,464
Mobile Food Cooking
Edmonds College
Lynnwood
Accredited school
No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimated$39,800Price if you pay yourself$4,521Program website, Mobile Food Cooking at Edmonds CollegeMore details about Mobile Food Cooking at Edmonds College
- Finished
- 77%
- Working at 6 months
- 86%
- Earned in a quarter
- $9,962
- Length
- 33 weeks, 12 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- 13
- Earned a year, estimated
- $39,800
- Price if you pay yourself
- $4,521
Advanced Commercial Cooking
Edmonds College
Lynnwood
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$39,800Price if you pay yourself$4,618Program website, Advanced Commercial Cooking at Edmonds CollegeMore details about Advanced Commercial Cooking at Edmonds College
- Finished
- 77%
- Working at 6 months
- 86%
- Earned in a quarter
- $9,962
- Length
- 55 weeks, 13 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- 13
- Earned a year, estimated
- $39,800
- Price if you pay yourself
- $4,618
Mobile Food Entrepreneur
Edmonds College
Lynnwood
Accredited school
No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimated$39,800Price if you pay yourself$8,270Program website, Mobile Food Entrepreneur at Edmonds CollegeMore details about Mobile Food Entrepreneur at Edmonds College
- Finished
- 77%
- Working at 6 months
- 86%
- Earned in a quarter
- $9,962
- Length
- 33 weeks, 22 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- 13
- Earned a year, estimated
- $39,800
- Price if you pay yourself
- $8,270
Culinary Arts
Edmonds College
Lynnwood
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$39,800Price if you pay yourself$11,919Program website, Culinary Arts at Edmonds CollegeMore details about Culinary Arts at Edmonds College
- Finished
- 77%
- Working at 6 months
- 86%
- Earned in a quarter
- $9,962
- Length
- 60 weeks, 19 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- 13
- Earned a year, estimated
- $39,800
- Price if you pay yourself
- $11,919
Baking Skills
Lake Washington Institute of Technology
Kirkland
Accredited school
No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimated$33,100Price if you pay yourself$1,692Program website, Baking Skills at Lake Washington Institute of TechnologyMore details about Baking Skills at Lake Washington Institute of Technology
- Finished
- 85%
- Working at 6 months
- 67%
- Earned in a quarter
- $8,267
- Length
- 22 weeks, 8 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- 10
- Earned a year, estimated
- $33,100
- Price if you pay yourself
- $1,692
Baking Arts: Management in Baking
Lake Washington Institute of Technology
Kirkland
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$33,100Price if you pay yourself$2,538Program website, Baking Arts: Management in Baking at Lake Washington Institute of TechnologyMore details about Baking Arts: Management in Baking at Lake Washington Institute of Technology
- Finished
- 85%
- Working at 6 months
- 67%
- Earned in a quarter
- $8,267
- Length
- 22 weeks, 12 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- 10
- Earned a year, estimated
- $33,100
- Price if you pay yourself
- $2,538
Baking Arts: Specialty Baking
Lake Washington Institute of Technology
Kirkland
Accredited school
Prerequisite courses
Earned a year, estimated$33,100Price if you pay yourself$3,948Program website, Baking Arts: Specialty Baking at Lake Washington Institute of TechnologyMore details about Baking Arts: Specialty Baking at Lake Washington Institute of Technology
- Finished
- 85%
- Working at 6 months
- 67%
- Earned in a quarter
- $8,267
- Length
- 30 weeks, 14 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- 10
- Earned a year, estimated
- $33,100
- Price if you pay yourself
- $3,948
Baking Arts
Lake Washington Institute of Technology
Kirkland
Accredited school
Associate's degree
Earned a year, estimated$33,100Price if you pay yourself$7,140Program website, Baking Arts at Lake Washington Institute of TechnologyMore details about Baking Arts at Lake Washington Institute of Technology
- Finished
- 85%
- Working at 6 months
- 67%
- Earned in a quarter
- $8,267
- Length
- 30 weeks, 20 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- 10
- Earned a year, estimated
- $33,100
- Price if you pay yourself
- $7,140
Culinary Arts
Lake Washington Institute of Technology
Kirkland
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$31,900Price if you pay yourself$9,869Program website, Culinary Arts at Lake Washington Institute of TechnologyMore details about Culinary Arts at Lake Washington Institute of Technology
- Finished
- 85%
- Working at 6 months
- 52%
- Earned in a quarter
- $7,974
- Length
- 60 weeks, 18 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- 10
- Earned a year, estimated
- $31,900
- Price if you pay yourself
- $9,869
Culinary Arts - Baking
Edmonds College
Lynnwood
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$34,900Price if you pay yourself$10,070Program website, Culinary Arts - Baking at Edmonds CollegeMore details about Culinary Arts - Baking at Edmonds College
- Finished
- 60%
- Working at 6 months
- 100%
- Earned in a quarter
- $8,729
- Length
- 60 weeks, 16 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- 10
- Earned a year, estimated
- $34,900
- Price if you pay yourself
- $10,070
Professional Baking
Renton Technical College
Renton
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimatedNot reportedPrice if you pay yourself$10,664Program website, Professional Baking at Renton Technical CollegeMore details about Professional Baking at Renton Technical College
- Finished
- Not reported
- Working at 6 months
- Not reported
- Earned in a quarter
- Not reported
- Length
- 60 weeks, 19 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $15
- Students counted
- Not reported
- Earned a year, estimated
- Not reported
- Price if you pay yourself
- $10,664
Culinary Arts and Speciality Dessert and Breads
Seattle Central College
Seattle
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimatedNot reportedPrice if you pay yourself$10,867Program website, Culinary Arts and Speciality Dessert and Breads at Seattle Central CollegeMore details about Culinary Arts and Speciality Dessert and Breads at Seattle Central College
- Finished
- Not reported
- Working at 6 months
- Not reported
- Earned in a quarter
- Not reported
- Length
- 60 weeks, 25 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- Not reported
- Earned a year, estimated
- Not reported
- Price if you pay yourself
- $10,867
Catering & Banquet Operations
South Seattle College
Seattle
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimatedNot reportedPrice if you pay yourself$12,227Program website, Catering & Banquet Operations at South Seattle CollegeMore details about Catering & Banquet Operations at South Seattle College
- Finished
- Not reported
- Working at 6 months
- Not reported
- Earned in a quarter
- Not reported
- Length
- 60 weeks, 37 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $2,300
- Students counted
- Not reported
- Earned a year, estimated
- Not reported
- Price if you pay yourself
- $12,227
Culinary Arts and Specialty Desserts and Breads
Seattle Central College
Seattle
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimatedNot reportedPrice if you pay yourself$12,588Program website, Culinary Arts and Specialty Desserts and Breads at Seattle Central CollegeMore details about Culinary Arts and Specialty Desserts and Breads at Seattle Central College
- Finished
- Not reported
- Working at 6 months
- Not reported
- Earned in a quarter
- Not reported
- Length
- 65 weeks, 18 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- Not reported
- Earned a year, estimated
- Not reported
- Price if you pay yourself
- $12,588
Restaurant & Food Service Production
South Seattle College
Seattle
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimatedNot reportedPrice if you pay yourself$13,255Program website, Restaurant & Food Service Production at South Seattle CollegeMore details about Restaurant & Food Service Production at South Seattle College
- Finished
- Not reported
- Working at 6 months
- Not reported
- Earned in a quarter
- Not reported
- Length
- 60 weeks, 22 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- Not reported
- Earned a year, estimated
- Not reported
- Price if you pay yourself
- $13,255
No programs match these filters.
How to pay for culinary school in Seattle
WIOA funding can pay for culinary school in Seattle
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.
Other training in Seattle
How culinary school compares with the rest of food and hospitality across Washington: Culinary and hospitality programs in Washington
- CDL training73 programs
- CNA classes34 programs
- Medical assistant training18 programs
- Phlebotomy training15 programs
- Welding classes27 programs
- HVAC training29 programs
- Medical billing and coding training17 programs
- EMT classes13 programs
- Electrician training53 programs
- Dental assistant programs27 programs
- Auto mechanic classes37 programs
- Plumbing school23 programs
- CNC machinist training31 programs
- Carpentry classes30 programs
- Diesel mechanic training13 programs
- Cybersecurity training36 programs
- IT training105 programs
- Cosmetology school16 programs
- Esthetician school16 programs
- Massage therapy school18 programs
- Paralegal programs13 programs
- Fire academy10 programs
- Police academy4 programs
- Home health aide training12 programs
- Medical administrative assistant training18 programs
- Human resources training17 programs
- Industrial maintenance technician training25 programs
- Early childhood education programs73 programs
- Aircraft mechanic school22 programs
- Supply chain and logistics training19 programs
- Coding and software development courses56 programs
- Lineman school15 programs
- Data analytics courses38 programs
- Administrative assistant training50 programs
- AutoCAD and drafting courses43 programs
- Digital marketing courses22 programs
- Web and graphic design courses40 programs
- Manufacturing technician training20 programs
- Electronics technician training23 programs
- Business administration programs55 programs
- Teacher assistant certification12 programs
- Auto body repair classes17 programs
- Merchant mariner training97 programs
- Sheet metal training20 programs
- OSHA safety training12 programs
- Construction training programs35 programs
- Accounting and bookkeeping classes57 programs
- RN programs20 programs
- Project management certification36 programs
Where the Seattle culinary arts program numbers come from
Which Seattle culinary arts programs are on this list?
These are the culinary arts programs with classes in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue area that are 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. Online programs are left out here; they are on the Washington page. Schools that never applied for approval are missing, so this is a part of what the area offers.
How the prices and results of Seattle 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 Seattle
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