The following is a list of GI Bill approved culinary schools. We also outline the various degrees you can obtain in the culinary field. In addition, we highlight the various veteran support programs these schools feature.
Getting into the culinary world doesn’t have to be extremely difficult. You have options. Students can enroll in degree programs that range from associate’s degrees to master’s degrees. Depending on where you are in your culinary career and where you want it to go will dictate which program you should enroll in.
Jump to list of GI Bill Approved Culinary Schools
Types of Culinary Degrees
There are six different majors that pertain to a culinary involved degree. They are:
Cooking and Related Cooking Arts
- “This degree is offered as an associate’s degree and bachelor’s degree. Training includes the basics of food preparation and food service with more advanced training in culinary skills and hospitality management at the undergraduate level. Two-year associate degree programs teach culinary fundamentals like food handling, kitchen safety and menu planning, while students in four-year bachelor’s degree programs learn how to cook a variety of dishes and may have the opportunity to complete internships.” – CulinarySchools.com
Culinary Arts/Chef Training
“Associate degree programs in culinary arts provide novice or beginner chefs with the training and experience required for entry-level roles in the field. Students are taught the essentials of working in a kitchen including nutrition and food handling. Most programs include diverse training in a variety of cooking forms, including meats and seafood, pastry arts, and buffet techniques. Some associate degree culinary arts programs also include training in managerial skills, such as record keeping, food purchasing, and guest services.” – Study.com
“Students pursuing a culinary arts major at the bachelor’s degree level are trained in both culinary skills and hospitality management. Much of a student’s time is spent in a kitchen setting, learning through hands-on courses in a multitude of culinary styles and methods. Among the skills covered are food safety, nutrition, cooking for large groups, and menu development. Managerial skills include marketing, cost management, and personnel management. Students often complete internships or work experiences in on-campus kitchens, such as coffee shops or cafeterias, or off-campus sites like local hotels or banquet facilities. Many culinary arts four-year programs also require applicants to submit ACT or SAT scores for admission.” – Study.com
Personal and Culinary Services
“A degree in personal services, allows students to get a degree in areas such as Cosmetology which allows you to practice creativity and expertise as you perfect someone’s hair or makeup. A major in Culinary Arts allows you to explore your passion for food and cooking to work in the kitchen as an assistant or top chef. A degree in Funeral Service and Mortuary Science will allow you to meet people’s needs in a very emotional time.” – Collegefactual.com
Culinary Arts & Related Services
See #2, above. This degree is very similar to that of Culinary Arts/Chef Training.
Culinary Science/Culinology
“A bachelor’s degree in culinary science is a blending of the culinary arts and food science that allows students to not only cook food, but to learn more about the food that they’re cooking. Students will learn how to bring their culinary skills together with scientific principles, and using contemporary equipment and advanced techniques to produce cuisine that’s full of flavor and nutrition. Culinary science graduates will have a host of career opportunities, including food manufacturing, product development, food technologist, food writer, research and development specialist.” – The Culinary Institute of America
Restaurant, Culinary, & Catering Management/Manager
“A program that prepares individuals to plan, supervise, and manage food and beverage preparation and service operations, restaurant facilities, and catering services. Includes instruction in food/beverage industry operations, cost control, purchasing and storage, business administration, logistics, personnel management, culinary arts, restaurant and menu planning, executive chef functions, event planning and management, health and safety, insurance, and applicable law and regulations.” – MyPlan.com
Conducting a Search for Culinary Degrees
To start searching for schools that offer culinary programs, here. When you input into your search to populate only the schools that have the six culinary programs mentioned above.
CollegeRecon has 331 colleges, universities, and institutions that provide these programs.
That might sound overwhelming so we’ve highlighted a few of them to help you get started! Under each school you can see which degree program(s) they offer.
GI Bill Approved Culinary Schools
All of the following culinary schools are GI Bill approved, non-profit institutions.
Some of the following schools have paid for promotional consideration.
Nicholls State University
Culinary Degrees Offered:
- Associate’s Degree in Culinary Arts/Chef Training
- Bachelor’s Degree in Culinary Arts/Chef Training
Veteran Assistance:
- Student Veterans of America Chapter on campus
- Offers College Credit for Military Experience & CLEP Exam
- Approved for Tuition Assistance
- Yellow Ribbon School
Culinary Institute of America
Culinary Degrees Offered:
- Associate’s Degree in Culinary Arts/Chef Training
- Bachelor’s Degree in Culinary Arts/Chef Training
Veteran Assistance:
- Approved for Tuition Assistance
- Yellow Ribbon School
Lake Washington Institute of Technology
Culinary Degrees Offered:
- Associate’s Degree in Culinary Arts/Chef Training
Veteran Assistance:
- Student Veterans of America Chapter on campus
- Offers College Credit for Military Experience & CLEP Exam
- Approved for Tuition Assistance
Southern New Hampshire University
Culinary Degrees Offered:
- Associate’s Degree in Culinary Arts/Chef Training
- Bachelor’s Degree in Culinary Arts/Chef Training
Veteran Assistance:
- Student Veterans of America Chapter on campus
- Offers College Credit for Military Experience
- Offers credit for CLEP and DSST Exams
- Approved for Tuition Assistance
- Yellow Ribbon School
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Culinary Degrees Offered:
- Associate’s Degree in Culinary Arts/Chef Training
Veteran Assistance:
- Student Veterans of America Chapter on campus
- Offers College Credit for Military Experience
- Offers credit for CLEP and DSST Exams
- Approved for Tuition Assistance
Veteran Assistance:
- GI Bill Approved
Culinary Degrees Offered:
- Associate’s Degree in Cooking and Related Culinary Arts
Veteran Assistance:
- Student Veterans of America Chapter on campus
- Offers College Credit for Military Experience
- Offers credit for CLEP and DSST Exams
- Approved for Tuition Assistance
Pikes Peak Community College
Culinary Degrees Offered:
- Associate’s Degree in Cooking and Related Culinary Arts
Veteran Assistance:
- Student Veterans of America Chapter on campus
- Offers College Credit for Military Experience
- Offers credit for CLEP and DSST Exams
- Approved for Tuition Assistance
Daytona State College
Culinary Degrees Offered:
- Associate’s Degree in Restaurant, Culinary, and Catering Management/Manager
Veteran Assistance:
- Student Veterans of America Chapter on campus
- Offers College Credit for Military Experience
- Offers credit for CLEP Exams
- Approved for Tuition Assistance
- Yellow Ribbon School
Pensacola State College
Culinary Degrees Offered:
- Associate’s Degree in Restaurant, Culinary, and Catering Management/Manager
Veteran Assistance:
- Student Veterans of America Chapter on campus
- Offers College Credit for Military Experience
- Offers credit for CLEP and DSST Exams
- Approved for Tuition Assistance
Hawaii Community College
Culinary Degrees Offered:
- Associate’s Degree in Cooking and Related Culinary Arts
Veteran Assistance:
- Offers College Credit for Military Experience
- Approved for Tuition Assistance
- Yellow Ribbon School
Idaho State University
Culinary Degrees Offered:
- Associate’s Degree in Culinary Arts/Chef Training
Veteran Assistance:
- Student Veterans of America Chapter on campus
- Offers College Credit for Military Experience
- Offers credit for CLEP and DSST Exams
- Approved for Tuition Assistance
- Yellow Ribbon School
Southwestern Illinois College
Culinary Degrees Offered:
- Associate’s Degree in Restaurant, Culinary, and Catering Management/Manager
Veteran Assistance:
- Student Veterans of America Chapter on campus
- Offers College Credit for Military Experience
- Offers credit for DSST Exams
- Approved for Tuition Assistance
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Culinary Degrees Offered:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Restaurant, Culinary, and Catering Management/Manager
Veteran Assistance:
- Student Veterans of America Chapter on campus
- Offers College Credit for Military Experience
- Offers credit for DSST Exams
- Approved for Tuition Assistance
- Yellow Ribbon School
Boston University
Culinary Degrees Offered:
- Master’s Degree in Culinary Arts and Related Services
Veteran Assistance:
- Student Veterans of America Chapter on campus
- Approved for Tuition Assistance
- Yellow Ribbon School
Northwestern Michigan College
Culinary Degrees Offered:
- Associates Degree in Culinary Arts/Chef Training
Veteran Assistance:
- Student Veterans of America Chapter on campus
- Offers College Credit for Military Experience
- Offers credit for CLEP Exams
- Approved for Tuition Assistance
- Yellow Ribbon School
Grand Rapids Community College
Culinary Degrees Offered:
- Associates Degree in Culinary Arts/Chef Training
- Associate’s Degree in Restaurant, Culinary, and Catering Management/Manager
Veteran Assistance:
- Offers College Credit for Military Experience
- Offers credit for CLEP and DSST Exams
- Approved for Tuition Assistance
Mississippi State University
Culinary Degrees Offered:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Culinary Science/Culinology
Veteran Assistance:
- Student Veterans of America Chapter on campus
- Offers College Credit for Military Experience
- Offers credit for CLEP Exams
- Approved for Tuition Assistance
- Yellow Ribbon School
Wake Technical Community College
Culinary Degrees Offered:
- Associate’s Degree in Culinary Arts/Chef Training
Veteran Assistance:
- Student Veterans of America Chapter on campus
- Offers College Credit for Military Experience
- Offers credit for CLEP and DSST Exams
- Approved for Tuition Assistance
- Yellow Ribbon School
University of Nevada-Las Vegas
Culinary Degrees Offered:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Culinary Arts
Veteran Assistance:
- Student Veterans of America Chapter on campus
- Offers College Credit for Military Experience
- Offers credit for CLEP and DSST Exams
- Approved for Tuition Assistance
- Yellow Ribbon School
Oklahoma State University – Oklahoma City
Culinary Degrees Offered:
- Associate’s Degree in Restaurant, Culinary, and Catering Management/Manager
Veteran Assistance:
- Student Veterans of America Chapter on campus
- Offers College Credit for Military Experience
- Offers credit for CLEP Exams
- Approved for Tuition Assistance
For more GI Bill Approved Culinary Schools, make sure to visit CollegeRecon’s College Search tool to see all schools that are offered.