School and Ranking Information
There are seven schools in the Indianapolis area that offer culinary programs. Ivy Tech Community College is one of the largest colleges in Indianapolis to offer culinary training programs and the only Indianapolis schools accredited by the American Culinary Federation. These two schools are ranked below based on their program offerings and cost.
- Winner: Ivy Tech's hospitality administration program offers culinary certificates as well as a hospitality administration associate's degree with an emphasis in culinary arts. Ivy Tech's estimated 2021-2022 tuition was over $10,000 less than Harrison College's estimated tuition for the same year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
School Comparison Chart
| Category | Ivy Tech Community College |
|---|---|
| Location | Indianapolis, IN |
| School Type | 2-year, public |
| Undergraduate Tuition & Fees (2021-2022) | $4,637 (in-state), $8,927 (out-of-state)* |
| Culinary Degrees Offered | Certificates, associate's degrees |
| Culinary Degrees and Certificates Awarded (All Levels) in 2020-2021 | 305 (includes hospitality administration)* |
| Most Popular Culinary Program (2020-2021) | Associate's in Hospitality Administration (118 awarded)* |
| Graduation Rate (in 150% of normal program time) | 30% (for 2015 entering class)* |
| Noteworthy | Has the lowest tuition of culinary programs in Indianapolis according to the school and NCES 2012-2013 tuition figures |
Source: *NCES College Navigator
Winner: Ivy Tech Community College
- Students run an on-campus restaurant and bakery called 'Courses'
- Student clubs at Ivy Tech include the Indiana Student Hospitality Association
- Accredited by the American Culinary Federation
Ivy Tech Community College offers certificates and associate's degrees in hospitality administration with concentration areas including culinary arts, baking and pastry arts, beverage management, culinology and restaurant management. A 16-credit short-term certificate program prepares students to become ACF-certified culinarians. Technical certificates in culinary arts and baking and pastry arts require the completion of 32 credits, and these credits can be applied to the 60-credit AAS in Culinary Arts or the AAS in Baking and Pastry Arts. The AAS degree programs include courses in nutrition, sanitation and food theory along with specialized courses on either culinary or baking techniques. Ivy Tech also offers an Associate of Science in Hospitality Administration that is designed to transfer to a 4-year college or university.
Hospitality students at Ivy Tech gain practical experience in the student-run bakery and restaurant, which serves lunch and dinner a few days a week. Some of the restaurant profits are used for scholarships for students in the hospitality program. Additionally, the college hosts an annual culinary arts dinner, which supports scholarships for culinary students.
