Culinary programs in Iowa
17 culinary programs at 9 Iowa schools are in the federal data. Where earnings are reported (2 programs), the state median is $33,508 one year after completion, about the same as the national median of $33,992. Median borrower debt is $14,250.
| School | City | Program | Credential | Completers/yr | 1-yr earnings | Median debt | Monthly payment* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines Area Community College | Ankeny, IA | Culinary Arts and Related Services | Associate degree | 32 | $37,050 | – | – |
| Kirkwood Community College | Cedar Rapids, IA | Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate | 27 | $29,967 | – | – |
| Des Moines Area Community College | Ankeny, IA | Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate | 8 | not reported | – | – |
| Eastern Iowa Community College District | Davenport, IA | Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate | 7 | not reported | – | – |
| Eastern Iowa Community College District | Davenport, IA | Culinary Arts and Related Services | Associate degree | 4 | not reported | – | – |
| Indian Hills Community College | Ottumwa, IA | Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate | 1 | not reported | – | – |
| Indian Hills Community College | Ottumwa, IA | Culinary Arts and Related Services | Associate degree | 4 | not reported | – | – |
| Iowa Central Community College | Fort Dodge, IA | Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate | 5 | not reported | – | – |
| Iowa Central Community College | Fort Dodge, IA | Culinary Arts and Related Services | Associate degree | 4 | not reported | – | – |
| Iowa Lakes Community College | Estherville, IA | Culinary Arts and Related Services | Associate degree | – | not reported | – | – |
| Iowa Western Community College | Council Bluffs, IA | Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate | 25 | not reported | – | – |
| Iowa Western Community College | Council Bluffs, IA | Culinary Arts and Related Services | Associate degree | 4 | not reported | – | – |
| Kirkwood Community College | Cedar Rapids, IA | Culinary Arts and Related Services | Associate degree | 17 | not reported | $14,250 | $162 |
| Marshalltown Community College | Marshalltown, IA | Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate | 9 | not reported | – | – |
| Marshalltown Community College | Marshalltown, IA | Culinary Arts and Related Services | Associate degree | 0 | not reported | – | – |
| Western Iowa Tech Community College | Sioux City, IA | Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate | 27 | not reported | – | – |
| Western Iowa Tech Community College | Sioux City, IA | Culinary Arts and Related Services | Associate degree | 14 | not reported | – | – |
*Scorecard's estimated monthly payment on the median debt over 10 years. “Not reported” means the Department suppressed or did not publish the figure.
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Before you choose a culinary school in Iowa
There is no single required license for cooks; employers often value experience, and food-safety manager certifications are common requirements.
- What do graduates typically earn compared with the program's debt?
- Is an externship or paid stage included?
- Are knives and uniforms included in the price?
More programs in Iowa
All Iowa programs · Culinary Arts & Baking nationwide
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard Field of Study and Institution files (release dated 10/15/2026). Earnings are median annual earnings of completers working and not enrolled one year after finishing; debt is median federal loan debt of borrowers; both describe past cohorts and small programs are suppressed by the Department. See our methodology.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best-paying culinary program in Iowa?
By reported one-year earnings, Des Moines Area Community College leads at $37,050 in the associate degree program, but compare cost and local jobs too.
How many culinary programs are in Iowa?
The Scorecard lists 17 certificate or associate programs in this field at 9 schools in Iowa.