Culinary Arts
62 Credit Associate DegreeProgram Description
The Culinary Arts Associate Degree program is for learners who are passionate about food. If you are interested in becoming a professional cook, chef, baker, pastry chef, institutional cook, kitchen assistant, or other culinary professional, then this program is for you. Learners will have the opportunity to practice and apply skills learned in cooking methods, baking, sanitation, menu planning, nutrition, dining room operations, fine dining, cost control and management. Learners will hone the skills necessary for developing and creating dishes that are visually appealing and full of flavor. Restaurant professionals work long hours on their feet, multi-task and interact with the customer to provide an excellent dining experience.
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Approximate Program Cost
$15,330
Tuition & Fees:
$12,850
Books & Supplies: $2,480
Books & Supplies: $2,480
Starting Salary
$25,370–$29,120
Average,
according to Economic Modeling Specialists International
Financial Aid
Available
Total financial aid offered may not exceed the estimated Cost of Attendance (COA).
Media from the Culinary Arts Program
A Closer Look
Detailed Program Information
Take a deeper dive into the details of this program. This section offers information to help you evaluate whether the program fits your goals, interests, and timeline. Use it as a tool to guide your decision-making process.
Availability
Courses for this program may be available at a variety of campus locations through multiple modes of delivery if you meet the admission requirements and prerequisites.
* Campus and online availability of courses and programs may be subject to change.
Outcomes
Graduates will be able to…
Careers
Some of the potential careers graduates can pursue are:
Courses
The Culinary Arts Associate Degree is a 62 Credit program. The following is a typical semester breakdown of the courses within the program.
Credit for Prior Learning Available
* College 101 (10-890-165) is not part of the program credit requirements but is a College Requirement for graduation that must be passed with a “C” or better.
View All Detailed Course Information
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
In this program, students engage with Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a creative partner in the kitchen and classroom. AI is used as a supplemental tool for cultural research, global flavor exploration and recipe development. Through AI-supported student menu concepts, cost controls analysis and plating ideas refined by AI input before student creation, our cutting-edge technologies bring innovation to life, allowing students to experiment with emerging tools that are shaping modern hospitality. Immediate, AI-generated feedback deepens reflection and accelerates skill development.
Faculty leverage AI in curriculum design to ensure instruction evolves alongside culinary trends and hospitality technology. By modeling real-world applications of automation and smart systems, the program mirrors the environments students will encounter in contemporary restaurants, resorts and production kitchens.
AI integration strengthens core competencies in culinary technique, menu planning, cost management and professional communication. Students graduate not only as skilled culinarians, but as adaptive problem-solvers prepared to thrive in a rapidly advancing industry.
Learn more about Our Commitment to AI Integration
Pathways
Pathways at NTC are designed to help you progress toward your career and education goals, one step at a time. Many programs are structured to build upon each other, allowing you to earn valuable credentials along the way.
If you begin with one of the following programs, you will earn credit towards this Culinary Arts Associate Degree:
The Culinary Assistant Technical Diploma will provide you with 45% (28 of 62 credits) of the total credits in this Culinary Arts Associate Degree
Transfer Information
You can continue your education to earn a four-year degree in a variety of ways.
Program Transfer
The following transfer guides, executed in partnership with post-secondary institutions, are based on agreements that allow you to continue your program at another college.
Johnson & Wales University
Northern Michigan University
Siena Heights University
General Transfer
All associate degrees transfer to a variety of programs at other partner colleges to give you the opportunity to continue your education in other areas of study.
View all transfer guides
Cost of Attendance
2026–2027 Estimated Academic Year Budgeted Cost of Attendance
The estimated Cost of Attendance (COA) is a budget that includes categories of expenses that a student may incur while attending NTC. The COA does not reflect actual charges. It is an average based on the estimated living costs typical of our region. In determining the cost of attendance, Northcentral Technical College takes into consideration the budget established by the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) Financial Aid Budget Work Group. This budget is used to determine financial need for all students who apply for financial aid. A student’s cost of attendance is composed of all educational expenses that can be included for financial aid purposes that a student may accrue while pursuing their education for the year (or semester, if enrolled less than a year). A student’s financial aid cannot exceed their cost of attendance. Schools are required to provide a fuller picture of what it may cost students to pursue their degree, not just what they will owe in tuition/fees and books/supplies. The costs displayed below are estimates based on a 16-week semester or term enrollment. Expenses such as food and housing, personal or transportation may be less based on the weeks you are enrolled.
- Full Time: 12 or more credits
- 3/4 Time: 9 to 11 credits
- 1/2 Time: 6 to 8 credits
- Less Than 1/2 Time: 1 to 5 credits
| Expense Category | Full Time | 3/4 Time | 1/2 Time | Less Than 1/2 Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees* | $2,620 | $1,965 | $1,310 | $655 |
| Books, Course Materials, Supplies and Equipment | $732 | $549 | $366 | $183 |
| Living Expenses (Housing & Food) | $5,455 | $5,455 | $5,455 | $0 |
| Miscellaneous Personal Expenses | $1,542 | $1,542 | $1,542 | $0 |
| Transportation | $1,950 | $1,950 | $1,950 | $1,950 |
| Federal Loan Fees | $43 | $43 | $43 | Not applicable |
| Total Estimated Cost of Attendance | $12,342 | $11,504 | $10,666 | $2,788 |
| Expense Category | Full Time | 3/4 Time | 1/2 Time | Less Than 1/2 Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees* | $2,620 | $1,965 | $1,310 | $655 |
| Books, Course Materials, Supplies and Equipment | $732 | $549 | $366 | $183 |
| Living Expenses (Housing & Food) | $1,612 | $1,612 | $1,612 | $0 |
| Miscellaneous Personal Expenses | $1,542 | $1,542 | $1,542 | $0 |
| Transportation | $1,950 | $1,950 | $1,950 | $1,950 |
| Federal Loan Fees | $43 | $43 | $43 | Not applicable |
| Total Estimated Cost of Attendance | $8,499 | $7,661 | $6,823 | $2,788 |
* Tuition listed is based on approved rates for the 2026–2027 academic year. Rates are approved each March by the Wisconsin Technical College System Board. Your tuition cost is based on your enrollment level. These will appear on your bill and account.
For more information regarding billed tuition and fees, visit our Tuition & Fees page.
Students awarded Federal Direct Loan(s) also have an average of the mandatory loan fees automatically added to their COA.
Students with disability-related expenses may contact the Financial Aid Office to have their additional expenses considered. Disability-related expenses include but are not limited to: personal assistance, equipment, and supplies. The Financial Aid Office may potentially include disability expenses in the COA that are not provided by other assisting agencies.
NTC also offers a Net Price Calculator to help estimate costs.
We’re happy to answer any questions you may have about how the financial aid process works. Please feel free to reach out for more information.
-
NTC Financial Aid Office
- 715.803.1647
- financialaid@ntc.edu
Admissions Process
Our application process takes just a few minutes to complete, but we want to make sure you have the things you’ll need on hand to complete the application. We’re here to help if you have any questions while submitting your application.
Fill out our application
The application can be submitted online and takes just a few minutes to complete. There is no fee to apply.
Apply NowWhat’s Next?
We’ll review your application and let you know if we need anything else. If you’re all set, your acceptance letter will be emailed to you.