WhatGradsMake
Associate+10% vs national median461 grads tracked

Culinary Arts and Related Services at Des Moines Area Community College

Ranked 15th of 105 associate programs in Culinary Arts and Related Services by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$33,498
middle 50%: $25,713 – $42,061
Median · 5 years out
$44,576
middle 50%: $35,595 – $56,339
Median · 10 years out
$49,774
middle 50%: $36,701 – $68,187

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Culinary Arts and Related Services (associate) graduates.

This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates

Graduates of Des Moines Area Community College's associate program in Culinary Arts and Related Services earn a median $33,498 one year after graduating, rising to $49,774 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 10% above the national median of $40,404 for this field, ranking 15th of 105 reporting programs.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau PSEO, release V4.13.0 2025Q4. Earnings are for graduates working in covered states; figures are medians in nominal dollars.

Will the degree pay for itself?

Drag the sliders — payback uses this program's actual salary curve.

Assumes a 6.5% APR loan and this program's median salary trajectory (interpolated between years 1, 5 and 10).

Paid off in
9.6 yrs
≈ $11,207 total interest

Same major at other universities

University of Hawaii Maui College
$46,663 · 5 yrs out
National Louis University
$46,577 · 5 yrs out
Leeward Community College
$46,497 · 5 yrs out
Austin Community College
$46,024 · 5 yrs out
North Shore Community College
$45,075 · 5 yrs out
Kauai Community College
$45,014 · 5 yrs out
Kapiolani Community College
$44,515 · 5 yrs out
Joliet Junior College
$44,398 · 5 yrs out
College Of DuPage
$44,324 · 5 yrs out
Cincinnati State Technical & Community College
$44,262 · 5 yrs out
South Central College
$44,060 · 5 yrs out
Triton College
$43,647 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Des Moines Area Community College

Fire Protection (Certificate)
$85,523 · 5 yrs out
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services (Certificate)
$81,357 · 5 yrs out
Fire Protection (Associate)
$81,295 · 5 yrs out
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Certificate)
$79,157 · 5 yrs out
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management (Associate)
$78,843 · 5 yrs out
Computer Programming (Associate)
$73,958 · 5 yrs out
Computer Programming (Certificate)
$72,928 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Certificate)
$71,555 · 5 yrs out
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Certificate)
$71,212 · 5 yrs out
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Certificate)
$71,212 · 5 yrs out
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions (Associate)
$68,222 · 5 yrs out
Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$68,098 · 5 yrs out

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