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Major · Culinary, Entertainment, and Personal Services

Culinary Science/Culinology

A program that focuses on the blending of food science and the culinary arts and that prepares individuals to work as research chefs and related research and development positions in the food industry. Includes instruction in culinary arts, food chemistry, food safety and quality, food processing, nutrition, and business management.

Schools offering
11
Annual completions
108
Typical degree level
Bachelor's
Median earnings (5yr)
$40k

About this major

A program that focuses on the blending of food science and the culinary arts and that prepares individuals to work as research chefs and related research and development positions in the food industry. Includes instruction in culinary arts, food chemistry, food safety and quality, food processing, nutrition, and business management.

Section 3 · Careers

Where this major leads

Occupations most often associated with this major, from the federal BLS+O*NET crosswalk. Job-growth projections and median wages are national.

Occupation Median wage Job growth Typical education
Food service managers $65k +6.4% High school diploma or equivalent
Chefs and head cooks $61k +7.1% High school diploma or equivalent
Postsecondary teachers, all other $78k +1.8% Doctoral or professional degree
Cooks, all other $36k +5.5% No formal educational credential
Food scientists and technologists $85k +6.5% Bachelor's degree
Section 4 · Earnings

Earnings at a glance

Median graduate earnings from the federal College Scorecard, 5 and 10 years out.

Median 5-year earnings

$40k

Associate's vs Bachelor's — early-career earnings

Associate's

$39k

Bachelor's

$48k

Section 6 · Where to study

Top colleges for Culinary Science/Culinology

Ranked by annual completions at the associate's or bachelor's level — a proxy for program scale.

College Location Assoc. Bach. Total
Culinary Institute of America Hyde Park, NY 0 50 50
Johnson & Wales University-Providence Providence, RI 0 20 20
Texas Woman's University Denton, TX 0 10 10
Drexel University Philadelphia, PA 0 10 10
Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte Charlotte, NC 0 9 9
Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MS 0 4 4
Southwest Minnesota State University Marshall, MN 0 3 3
University of Holy Cross New Orleans, LA 0 1 1
Life University Marietta, GA 0 1 1
Niagara County Community College Sanborn, NY 0 0 0
Section 9 · Frequently asked

Common questions

What can I do with a Culinary Science/Culinology degree?
Graduates commonly pursue careers such as Food service managers, Chefs and head cooks, Postsecondary teachers, all other.
Is a Culinary Science/Culinology associate's enough, or do I need a bachelor's?
This major is typically offered only at the bachelor's level.
How many colleges offer Culinary Science/Culinology?
11 colleges offered this major in the most recent IPEDS year, graduating about 108 students a year combined.