Culinary Institute Of America Cost & Financial Aid
Affordability Summary
Cost varies significantly by family income. Use the breakdown below to estimate your net price.
Cost Calculator
What You'll Pay at Culinary Institute Of America
Select your family income to see your estimated cost
The Cost Formula
Tuition
—
+
Room
—
+
Books
—
=
Sticker Price
—
—+—+—=—
Your Family Income
Sticker
—
−
Your Aid
—
=
Net Price
$34,603
All Income Levels
Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
Culinary Institute Of America Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid Summary
Cost Category
Amount
Average Net Price (What Families Pay)
$36,113
Culinary Institute Of America Net Price by Family Income Level
Family Income
Net Price
$0–30k
$29,690
$30–48k
$29,527
$48–75k
$34,603
$75–110k
$38,087
$110k+
$41,789
Understanding Your Aid Package
Culinary Institute Of America has a sticker price of N/A per year, but most students pay significantly less after financial aid. The actual cost depends heavily on your family's income level.
Key Facts
$48–75K families pay: ~$34,603/year
Low-income families: Pay ~$29,690/year
29% of students receive Pell Grants
Financial Aid Profile
💰
29%
Pell Grant Recipients
Lower-income students receiving federal aid
🎓
28%
First-Generation Students
Parents without bachelor's degree
Get personalized cost estimates and assess whether borrowing makes sense.
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Typical Debt
Median Student Debt$15,750
Range (25th–75th)$7,500 – $20,000
Median Parent PLUS Loans$49,835
Debt Manageability
0.31x
Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
Debt is well below typical first-year earnings — generally considered very manageable.
3-Year Default Rate0.0%
Return on Investment
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
Median Earnings (10yr)
$47,475
Earnings Growth
+25%
6 → 10 years post-graduation
Value Added
+$-13,586
13th percentile among peers
Earnings Range (10yr post-graduation)
$27,262
25th %ile
$71,624
75th %ile
Frequently Asked Questions about Culinary Institute Of America Cost & Financial Aid
Culinary Institute Of America's published tuition is $58,790 per year. However, after financial aid, the average student pays $34,603—a difference of $24,187.
Families earning under $30,000 pay an average net price of $29,690 at Culinary Institute Of America. 29% of students receive Pell Grants.
Culinary Institute Of America offers merit-based scholarships for academic achievement, in addition to need-based financial aid. Contact the financial aid office for specific scholarship opportunities.
The median debt for Culinary graduates is $15,750, resulting in estimated monthly payments of $167 over 10 years.
Even families earning over $110,000 pay an average net price of $41,789 at Culinary—still $17,001 less than the sticker price. Most families qualify for some form of aid.
