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Culinary school in Minnesota

20 culinary programs with costs, results and funding that can make them free

6 schools offer these culinary arts programs, and Minnesota has approved every one for workforce funding. Each shows its price if you pay yourself and how past students did. One school runs 12 of these 20 programs, so the typical figures lean heavily on its prices and results.

Chefs and head cooks run the daily food preparation in restaurants and other places that serve food. Most start with a high school diploma and kitchen experience; some go through a culinary program at a community college, technical school or culinary school, and others learn in an apprenticeship.1

In Minnesota, all 20 programs ask for a high school diploma or equivalent.

By kind, the 20 programs here are culinary arts certificate or diploma (10 programs), culinary arts (associate degree, 6 programs), baking and pastry certificate or diploma (3 programs) and baking and pastry (associate degree, 1 program).

See the 20 programs

How much does culinary school cost in Minnesota?

Certificates and short courses (13 programs)
$2,743 to $4,878most of them, usually 30 to 60 weeks long
Two-year degrees (7 programs)
$10,086 to $10,962most of them, usually 120 weeks long

What you pay yourself for the whole program, as the schools report it. "Most" is the middle half of the programs with a price.

In the typical program

Finished the program
62%
Working 6 months later
74%
Earned a year, estimated
about $24,400
Length
30 to 120 weeks

Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Only programs approved for workforce funding are listed; other schools in Minnesota may also offer culinary school. How these figures are made

Is there free culinary school in Minnesota?

All 20 culinary programs in Minnesota approved for WIOA funding

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20 programs

  • Culinary arts (associate degree)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Culinary Arts

    Saint Paul College

    St. Paul

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Saint Paul College, St. PaulCulinary arts (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$26,300
    Price if you pay yourself$11,325
    Program website, Culinary Arts at Saint Paul College
    More details about Culinary Arts at Saint Paul College
    Finished
    41%
    Working at 6 months
    70%
    Earned in a quarter
    $6,582
    Length
    120 weeks, 50 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    302

    Listed 2 times in the state's file with differing results. Shown: the listing with the most students.

    Earned a year, estimated
    $26,300
    Price if you pay yourself
    $11,325
    Program website, Culinary Arts at Saint Paul College
  • Culinary arts (associate degree)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Culinary Entrepreneur

    Hennepin Technical College

    Brooklyn Park

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Hennepin Technical College, Brooklyn ParkCulinary arts (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$24,400
    Price if you pay yourself$9,683
    Program website, Culinary Entrepreneur at Hennepin Technical College
    More details about Culinary Entrepreneur at Hennepin Technical College
    Finished
    35%
    Working at 6 months
    73%
    Earned in a quarter
    $6,105
    Length
    120 weeks, 50 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    196
    Earned a year, estimated
    $24,400
    Price if you pay yourself
    $9,683
    Program website, Culinary Entrepreneur at Hennepin Technical College
  • Culinary arts (associate degree)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Culinary Arts

    Hennepin Technical College

    Brooklyn Park

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Hennepin Technical College, Brooklyn ParkCulinary arts (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$24,400
    Price if you pay yourself$10,490
    Program website, Culinary Arts at Hennepin Technical College
    More details about Culinary Arts at Hennepin Technical College
    Finished
    35%
    Working at 6 months
    73%
    Earned in a quarter
    $6,105
    Length
    120 weeks, 50 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    196
    Earned a year, estimated
    $24,400
    Price if you pay yourself
    $10,490
    Program website, Culinary Arts at Hennepin Technical College
  • Culinary arts (associate degree)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Culinary Arts

    Hennepin Technical College

    Eden Prairie

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Hennepin Technical College, Eden PrairieCulinary arts (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$24,400
    Price if you pay yourself$10,490
    Program website, Culinary Arts at Hennepin Technical College
    More details about Culinary Arts at Hennepin Technical College
    Finished
    35%
    Working at 6 months
    73%
    Earned in a quarter
    $6,105
    Length
    120 weeks, 50 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    196
    Earned a year, estimated
    $24,400
    Price if you pay yourself
    $10,490
    Program website, Culinary Arts at Hennepin Technical College
  • Culinary arts (associate degree)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Culinary Arts

    South Central College

    North Mankato

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    South Central College, North MankatoCulinary arts (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$23,400
    Price if you pay yourself$11,123
    Program website, Culinary Arts at South Central College
    More details about Culinary Arts at South Central College
    Finished
    47%
    Working at 6 months
    87%
    Earned in a quarter
    $5,858
    Length
    120 weeks, 50 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    119

    Listed 2 times in the state's file with differing results. Shown: the listing with the most students.

    Earned a year, estimated
    $23,400
    Price if you pay yourself
    $11,123
    Program website, Culinary Arts at South Central College
  • Baking and pastry certificate or diplomaIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Pastry and Baking

    Saint Paul College

    St. Paul

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Saint Paul College, St. PaulBaking and pastry certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$26,700
    Price if you pay yourself$4,996
    Program website, Pastry and Baking at Saint Paul College
    More details about Pastry and Baking at Saint Paul College
    Finished
    76%
    Working at 6 months
    69%
    Earned in a quarter
    $6,665
    Length
    60 weeks, 30 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    116
    Earned a year, estimated
    $26,700
    Price if you pay yourself
    $4,996
    Program website, Pastry and Baking at Saint Paul College
  • Culinary arts certificate or diplomaIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Food and Beverage Specialties

    Hennepin Technical College

    Eden Prairie

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Hennepin Technical College, Eden PrairieCulinary arts certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$24,700
    Price if you pay yourself$2,582
    Program website, Food and Beverage Specialties at Hennepin Technical College
    More details about Food and Beverage Specialties at Hennepin Technical College
    Finished
    78%
    Working at 6 months
    74%
    Earned in a quarter
    $6,178
    Length
    30 weeks, 16 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    85
    Earned a year, estimated
    $24,700
    Price if you pay yourself
    $2,582
    Program website, Food and Beverage Specialties at Hennepin Technical College
  • Culinary arts certificate or diplomaIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Food and Beverage Specialties

    Hennepin Technical College

    Brooklyn Park

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Hennepin Technical College, Brooklyn ParkCulinary arts certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$24,700
    Price if you pay yourself$2,582
    Program website, Food and Beverage Specialties at Hennepin Technical College
    More details about Food and Beverage Specialties at Hennepin Technical College
    Finished
    78%
    Working at 6 months
    74%
    Earned in a quarter
    $6,178
    Length
    30 weeks, 16 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    85
    Earned a year, estimated
    $24,700
    Price if you pay yourself
    $2,582
    Program website, Food and Beverage Specialties at Hennepin Technical College
  • Culinary arts certificate or diplomaIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Culinarian

    Hennepin Technical College

    Brooklyn Park

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Hennepin Technical College, Brooklyn ParkCulinary arts certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$24,700
    Price if you pay yourself$2,743
    Program website, Culinarian at Hennepin Technical College
    More details about Culinarian at Hennepin Technical College
    Finished
    78%
    Working at 6 months
    74%
    Earned in a quarter
    $6,178
    Length
    30 weeks, 17 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    85
    Earned a year, estimated
    $24,700
    Price if you pay yourself
    $2,743
    Program website, Culinarian at Hennepin Technical College
  • Culinary arts certificate or diplomaIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Culinarian

    Hennepin Technical College

    Eden Prairie

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Hennepin Technical College, Eden PrairieCulinary arts certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$24,700
    Price if you pay yourself$2,743
    Program website, Culinarian at Hennepin Technical College
    More details about Culinarian at Hennepin Technical College
    Finished
    78%
    Working at 6 months
    74%
    Earned in a quarter
    $6,178
    Length
    30 weeks, 17 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    85
    Earned a year, estimated
    $24,700
    Price if you pay yourself
    $2,743
    Program website, Culinarian at Hennepin Technical College
  • Culinary arts certificate or diplomaIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Culinary and Food Truck Entrepreneur

    Hennepin Technical College

    Brooklyn Park

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Hennepin Technical College, Brooklyn ParkCulinary arts certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$24,700
    Price if you pay yourself$4,841
    Program website, Culinary and Food Truck Entrepreneur at Hennepin Technical College
    More details about Culinary and Food Truck Entrepreneur at Hennepin Technical College
    Finished
    78%
    Working at 6 months
    74%
    Earned in a quarter
    $6,178
    Length
    60 weeks, 30 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    85
    Earned a year, estimated
    $24,700
    Price if you pay yourself
    $4,841
    Program website, Culinary and Food Truck Entrepreneur at Hennepin Technical College
  • Culinary arts (associate degree)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Culinary Arts

    St. Cloud Technical & Community College

    St. Cloud

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    St. Cloud Technical & Community College, St. CloudCulinary arts (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$21,100
    Price if you pay yourself$10,802
    Program website, Culinary Arts at St. Cloud Technical & Community College
    More details about Culinary Arts at St. Cloud Technical & Community College
    Finished
    28%
    Working at 6 months
    73%
    Earned in a quarter
    $5,269
    Length
    120 weeks, 50 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    82

    Listed 2 times in the state's file with differing results. Shown: the listing with the most students.

    Earned a year, estimated
    $21,100
    Price if you pay yourself
    $10,802
    Program website, Culinary Arts at St. Cloud Technical & Community College
  • Culinary arts certificate or diplomaIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Culinary Assistant

    Hennepin Technical College

    Brooklyn Park

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Hennepin Technical College, Brooklyn ParkCulinary arts certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$24,300
    Price if you pay yourself$2,743
    Program website, Culinary Assistant at Hennepin Technical College
    More details about Culinary Assistant at Hennepin Technical College
    Finished
    93%
    Working at 6 months
    80%
    Earned in a quarter
    $6,081
    Length
    30 weeks, 17 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    65
    Earned a year, estimated
    $24,300
    Price if you pay yourself
    $2,743
    Program website, Culinary Assistant at Hennepin Technical College
  • Culinary arts certificate or diplomaIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Culinary Assistant

    Hennepin Technical College

    Eden Prairie

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Hennepin Technical College, Eden PrairieCulinary arts certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$24,300
    Price if you pay yourself$2,743
    Program website, Culinary Assistant at Hennepin Technical College
    More details about Culinary Assistant at Hennepin Technical College
    Finished
    93%
    Working at 6 months
    80%
    Earned in a quarter
    $6,081
    Length
    30 weeks, 17 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    65
    Earned a year, estimated
    $24,300
    Price if you pay yourself
    $2,743
    Program website, Culinary Assistant at Hennepin Technical College
  • Culinary arts certificate or diplomaIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Culinary Arts

    Central Lakes College

    Staples

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Central Lakes College, StaplesCulinary arts certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$20,500
    Price if you pay yourself$4,916
    Program website, Culinary Arts at Central Lakes College
    More details about Culinary Arts at Central Lakes College
    Finished
    33%
    Working at 6 months
    78%
    Earned in a quarter
    $5,114
    Length
    60 weeks, 30 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    14
    Earned a year, estimated
    $20,500
    Price if you pay yourself
    $4,916
    Program website, Culinary Arts at Central Lakes College
  • Culinary arts certificate or diplomaIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Culinary Arts

    Central Lakes College

    Brainerd

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Central Lakes College, BrainerdCulinary arts certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$20,500
    Price if you pay yourself$4,916
    Program website, Culinary Arts at Central Lakes College
    More details about Culinary Arts at Central Lakes College
    Finished
    33%
    Working at 6 months
    78%
    Earned in a quarter
    $5,114
    Length
    60 weeks, 30 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    14
    Earned a year, estimated
    $20,500
    Price if you pay yourself
    $4,916
    Program website, Culinary Arts at Central Lakes College
  • Baking and pastry (associate degree)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Baking and Pastry Entrepreneur

    Hennepin Technical College

    Brooklyn Park

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Hennepin Technical College, Brooklyn ParkBaking and pastry (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$9,683
    Program website, Baking and Pastry Entrepreneur at Hennepin Technical College
    More details about Baking and Pastry Entrepreneur at Hennepin Technical College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    120 weeks, 50 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    30
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $9,683
    Program website, Baking and Pastry Entrepreneur at Hennepin Technical College
  • Baking and pastry certificate or diplomaIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Pastry Entrepreneur

    Hennepin Technical College

    Brooklyn Park

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Hennepin Technical College, Brooklyn ParkBaking and pastry certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$4,035
    Program website, Pastry Entrepreneur at Hennepin Technical College
    More details about Pastry Entrepreneur at Hennepin Technical College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    30 weeks, 25 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $4,035
    Program website, Pastry Entrepreneur at Hennepin Technical College
  • Culinary arts certificate or diplomaIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Culinary Arts

    Minnesota North College

    Hibbing

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Minnesota North College, HibbingCulinary arts certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfNot reported
    Program website, Culinary Arts at Minnesota North College
    More details about Culinary Arts at Minnesota North College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    60 weeks, 31 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Not reported
    Program website, Culinary Arts at Minnesota North College
  • Baking and pastry certificate or diplomaIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Pastry Artist

    Minnesota North College

    Hibbing

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Minnesota North College, HibbingBaking and pastry certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfNot reported
    Program website, Pastry Artist at Minnesota North College
    More details about Pastry Artist at Minnesota North College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    30 weeks, 16 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Not reported
    Program website, Pastry Artist at Minnesota North College

How to pay for culinary school in Minnesota

WIOA funding can pay for culinary school in Minnesota

Every program on this page is approved for it. Whether you qualify, how much your local area pays and how to apply are on our page Does WIOA pay for job training?

Financial aid and grants for culinary school

Most students can get federal student aid for college, career school or trade school. A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, usually doesn't have to be repaid. Ask the school whether its program qualifies.67

GI Bill for culinary school

Veterans, service members and qualified dependents can use GI Bill benefits for non-college training programs.8

The program list does not show which programs accept these. Ask the school.

Quick facts: Culinary school in Minnesota

programs with a price cost under $3,000
6 of 18
lowest typical price among the states with enough programs to compare
8th of 28
other states where the typical program's graduates earned less
7 of 15
culinary programs here, against the typical state's 8
20 vs 8

State comparisons use the same figures as the culinary school by state table: the middle program of each state, and only states with three or more schools for prices. Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025).

Culinary school in Minneapolis, Duluth, Mankato and other Minnesota cities

Areas with 10 or more programs have a page of their own. Choosing another area filters the program list above. 1 in smaller cities and towns.

Other training in Minnesota

How culinary school compares with the rest of food and hospitality: Culinary and hospitality programs in Minnesota

Where the Minnesota culinary arts program numbers come from

Which Minnesota culinary arts programs are on this list?

These are the culinary arts programs Minnesota approved for WIOA funding (public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), as reported to the US Department of Labor for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Each state keeps its approved programs on an eligible training provider list (ETPL).9 The list here covers programs approved as of June 30, 2025. Schools that never applied for approval are missing, so this is a part of what Minnesota offers.

How the prices and results of Minnesota culinary arts programs are measured

Prices are tuition and required fees for someone paying without workforce funding, as the school reported them; check the current price with the school. Results describe students who left each program in recent years, so they are no guarantee, and the yearly earnings are the reported quarter times four, an estimate. A program without a "Trained with WIOA funding" line may still take WIOA students. Where a field was left empty or withheld, the page says "Not reported", and "Left out" where a figure was filed but failed one of our checks; nothing is estimated to fill a gap. Where the numbers come from explains each figure in full.

Sources for the facts about culinary school in Minnesota

Show the 9 sourcesHide the sources
  1. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Chefs and Head Cooks
  2. US Department of Labor, TrainingProviderResults.gov: About This Site
  3. US Department of Labor: WIOA Adult Program
  4. Code of Federal Regulations, title 20, part 680, sections 680.220, 680.230 and 680.310: career services before training, other grants such as Pell Grants first, and limits on Individual Training Accounts (GovInfo, 2024 edition)
  5. US Department of Labor: American Job Centers
  6. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Eligibility for Federal Student Aid
  7. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Don't Miss Out on Federal Pell Grants
  8. US Department of Veterans Affairs: GI Bill benefits for non-college degree programs
  9. US Department of Labor, Training and Employment Guidance Letter 8-19, Attachment I: Requirements for Training Providers, Program Eligibility, and the State Eligible Training Provider (ETP) List