Associate+7% vs national median400 grads tracked
Culinary Arts and Related Services at Elgin Community College
Ranked 24th of 105 associate programs in Culinary Arts and Related Services by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$32,400
middle 50%: $25,269 – $42,322
Median · 5 years out
$43,189
middle 50%: $30,981 – $58,858
Median · 10 years out
$56,170
middle 50%: $42,177 – $78,466
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
Culinary Arts students earn a median of $32k in their first year. This figure rises to $43k at year five and $56k at year ten.
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
9.5 yrs
≈ $11,428 total interest
Same major at other universities
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
Tarrant County College District
$43,626 · 5 yrs out
College of Lake County
$43,463 · 5 yrs out
Hennepin Technical College
$43,151 · 5 yrs out
San Jacinto Community College District
$43,047 · 5 yrs out
Salt Lake Community College
$43,047 · 5 yrs out
Collin County Community College District
$43,047 · 5 yrs out
York County Community College
$43,047 · 5 yrs out
Utah Valley University
$42,686 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at Elgin Community College
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate)
$79,834 · 5 yrs out
Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians (Certificate)
$76,251 · 5 yrs out
Fire Protection (Associate)
$75,786 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Associate)
$75,752 · 5 yrs out
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants (Certificate)
$75,598 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$72,585 · 5 yrs out
Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians (Certificate)
$69,841 · 5 yrs out
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) (Associate)
$69,154 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Associate)
$68,521 · 5 yrs out
Engineering, General (Associate)
$68,521 · 5 yrs out
Science Technologies/Technicians (Certificate)
$67,887 · 5 yrs out
Biology/Biotechnology Technologies/Technicians (Certificate)
$67,887 · 5 yrs out