Federal data shows 10 culinary programs operating in Kentucky: 8 public, 1 private nonprofit and 1 for-profit. Real cost after grants ranges from $3,537 to $25,532 per year; the median school lands at $5,380.
Program mix: 1 of the 10 report baking & pastry (CIP 12.0501) completions. The largest campus on the list is Jefferson Community and Technical College (7,744 students). Every figure below comes from the College Scorecard and IPEDS federal data, retrieved July 2026. No rankings, just the numbers, sortable however you need them.
| School | City | Type | Tuition/yr | Net price/yr | Enrollment | Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Employment Solutions-College for Technical Education | Lexington | Private | - | $22,871 | 203 | Culinary Arts |
| Ashland Community and Technical College | Ashland | Public | $4,728 | $5,717 | 1,631 | Culinary Arts |
| Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical CollegeLowest average net price in the state: $3,537/yr after grants. | Bowling Green | Public | $4,728 | $3,537 | 3,308 | Culinary Arts |
| Elizabethtown Community and Technical College | Elizabethtown | Public | $4,728 | $5,143 | 4,088 | Culinary Arts |
| Madisonville Community College | Madisonville | Public | $4,728 | $5,406 | 1,841 | Culinary Arts |
| Maysville Community and Technical College | Maysville | Public | $4,728 | $4,605 | 2,284 | Culinary Arts |
| West Kentucky Community and Technical College | Paducah | Public | $4,728 | $5,353 | 2,851 | Culinary Arts |
| Somerset Community College | Somerset | Public | $4,728 | $4,398 | 4,166 | Culinary Arts |
| Jefferson Community and Technical CollegeLargest enrollment on this list (7,744 students). | Louisville | Public | $4,808 | $6,376 | 7,744 | Culinary Arts |
| Sullivan UniversityFor-profit school; published price $15,480, average net $25,532 after aid. | Louisville | For-profit | $15,480 | $25,532 | 2,026 | Baking & Pastry Culinary Arts |
Showing 10 of 10 schools
What Culinary School Costs in Kentucky
The lowest real-cost route in Kentucky is Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College in Bowling Green, at $3,537 a year average net price after grants. Public in-state tuition starts at $4,728 published, and community-college district residents can sometimes pay less than the listed rate. For-profit pricing needs a second look: Sullivan University, for example, publishes $15,480 but students averaged $25,532 after aid. Always compare the net column, not the sticker. Sort the table by net price and check the out-of-state toggle if you are crossing state lines; residency can double the bill at public schools.
Kentucky Culinary School FAQs
How many culinary schools are in Kentucky?
10 Kentucky institutions report culinary programs (CIP 12.05 family) to the U.S. Department of Education: 8 public and 2 private or for-profit. The count covers degree- and certificate-granting schools in the College Scorecard as of July 2026.
How much does culinary school cost in Kentucky?
Average net price, what students actually pay per year after grants, ranges from $3,537 to $25,532 across Kentucky culinary schools, with a median of $5,379. Published tuition is often higher; net price is the more accurate number.
What is the cheapest culinary school in Kentucky?
Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College in Bowling Green has the lowest average net price at $3,537 per year. Community college district residents can sometimes pay less than the published in-state rate.
Which Kentucky schools offer baking and pastry programs?
1 Kentucky school reported baking & pastry (CIP 12.0501) completions in the latest federal data, including Sullivan University.
Culinary Schools in Nearby States
School list, tuition, net price, and enrollment from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS completions data (CIP 12.05 family), retrieved July 2026. Notes are computed from the same records. See our methodology for how these lists are built.