Schools in Colorado Springs with Culinary Arts Programs
Only a couple of schools within 50 minutes of Colorado Springs offer culinary arts programs. This article looks at those schools and their offerings. It also includes a table that makes it easy for prospective students to see important features such as size, costs and graduation rates.
- Just 12.7 miles away, Pikes Peak Community College is the closest school to downtown Colorado Springs and offers certificates in baking and in culinary arts, along with associate's degrees in culinary arts and in baking.
- Pueblo Community College's associate's degree program is accredited by the American Culinary Federation (ACF). Some courses offered at this school, about 28 miles from downtown Colorado Springs, are also recognized by the National Restaurant Association Education Foundation. It offers two certificate programs and an associate's degree in hospitality studies with a concentration in culinary arts production.
Comparison of Schools
Students should consider several factors when choosing a college and this table offers a concise overview of some of those issues for these two schools.
| Pikes Peak Community College | Pueblo Community College | |
|---|---|---|
| School Type | 2-year, public | 4-year, primarily associate's, public |
| Total Enrollment (2021) | 11,845* | 5,938* |
| Campus Setting | Large suburb | Midsized city |
| Tuition and Fees (2022-2023) | $4,065 in-state; $15,714 out-of-state* | $4,626 in-state; $16,275 out-of-state* |
| % of Beginning Students Receiving Any Form of Aid (2020-2021) | 69%* | 85%* |
| Acceptance Rate (2021) | N/A - Open admission | N/A - Open admission |
| Retention Rate (2020-2021) | N/A- not reported* | N/A- not reported* |
| Graduation Rate | 24% (17% transfer-out rate) (for Students Who Began in 2015)* | 19% (11% transfer-out rate) (for Students Who Began in 2015)* |
Source: *NCES College Navigator
Pikes Peak Community College
In order to enroll in culinary arts courses, this school requires students to earn the ServSafe Certification. This school's culinary arts programs provide skills development through in-class and laboratory training.
Culinary Arts: Basic Skills Certificate
A total of 21 credit hours are needed for program completion. Courses include baking and food basics, culinary arts fundamentals, food service management, food safety and sanitation. This program can train students to apply for station cook positions.
Baking Certificate
This 29-credit program covers topics in basic and advanced baking techniques, decorating, presentation, bread preparation and fancy dessert production. Additional courses include nutrition, purchasing, sanitation, culinary arts fundamentals, food service management and food safety. During this program, students can learn how to make quick breads, frozen desserts, chocolates and yeasted foods.
Culinary Arts Certificate
In addition to the courses required in the Culinary Arts: Basic Skills Certificate program, students must pass courses in soups and sauces, nutrition, line preparation, advanced cooking, garde manger and basic baking techniques. This program requires students to complete 34 credit hours of coursework. Students who complete this program may be prepared to work as entry-level cooks.
Associate of Applied Science in Baking and Pastry
This 63-credit hour program requires the same courses found during the baking certificate program. Students are also required to complete courses in catering, wedding cakes and cost control. An internship is needed for students to finish this program. Graduates can apply for the Certified Pastry Cook designation offered by the ACF.
Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
The courses found in the culinary arts certificate program are also contained in this program. This program provides additional courses in spirits and wines, catering business concepts, international cuisine and purchasing. Students are required to complete 63 credit hours of coursework. Before students can graduate, they must participate in an internship. After program completion, students are qualified to apply for the ACF's Certified Cook designation.
Pueblo Community College
Many culinary arts courses offered by this school cover theoretical concepts while allowing students to develop food preparation skills through hands-on training.
Beginning Production and Baking Certificate
Students can expect to be trained in vegetable preparation, baking principles, food safety, sanitation, hospitality management and breakfast food preparation. Additional electives are required to complete this 16-credit program.
Intermediate Production Certificate
This program also requires 16 credit hours of coursework. Students will encounter topics in dining room management, meat, pastas, nutrition and advanced baking techniques. Elective courses are also needed to fulfill credit requirements.
Associate of Applied Science in Hospitality Studies with a Concentration in Food Production
Core courses required by this program include case studies in the hospitality field, nutrition, management techniques and cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Students need to pass many of the same courses found in this school's culinary arts programs. An internship is required to graduate from this 69.5-credit program.