WhatGradsMake
Certificate (1-2 years)-24% vs national median126 grads tracked

Culinary Arts and Related Services at SOWELA Technical Community College

Ranked 49th of 51 certificate (1-2 years) programs in Culinary Arts and Related Services by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$24,591
middle 50%: $18,690 – $31,287
Median · 5 years out
$29,886
middle 50%: $24,328 – $41,920
Median · 10 years out
n/a
not enough graduates to report

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Culinary Arts and Related Services (certificate (1-2 years)) graduates.

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

Graduates of SOWELA Technical Community College's certificate (1-2 years) program in Culinary Arts and Related Services earn a median $24,591 one year after graduating, rising to $29,886 by year five. Five years out, earnings run 24% below the national median of $39,209 for this field, ranking 49th of 51 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
17.5 yrs
≈ $20,965 total interest

Same major at other universities

South Louisiana Community College
$34,351 · 5 yrs out
Richland Community College
$32,844 · 5 yrs out
East Central College
$31,905 · 5 yrs out
Erie Community College
$31,387 · 5 yrs out
Kaskaskia College
$31,354 · 5 yrs out
Central Maine Community College
$30,437 · 5 yrs out
Colorado Mesa University
$27,237 · 5 yrs out
Baton Rouge Community College
$26,764 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at SOWELA Technical Community College

Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (Certificate)
$121,701 · 5 yrs out
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$114,676 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Certificate)
$108,912 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$107,487 · 5 yrs out
Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$99,738 · 5 yrs out
Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians (Certificate)
$95,086 · 5 yrs out
Electrical and Power Transmission Installers (Certificate)
$81,618 · 5 yrs out
Construction Trades (Certificate)
$80,863 · 5 yrs out
Education (Associate)
$68,164 · 5 yrs out
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Associate)
$68,164 · 5 yrs out
Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$66,382 · 5 yrs out
Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Certificate)
$61,969 · 5 yrs out

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