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Executive chef education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become an executive chef. Executive chefs usually study culinary arts, business, or hospitality management. 56% of executive chefs hold a associate degree, and 26% hold an bachelor's degree. We analyzed 54,103 real executive chef resumes to see exactly what executive chef education sections show.
The most common colleges for executive chefs are the Culinary Institute of America and the Culinary Institute of America.
There are also many online executive chef courses to help get the education required to be an executive chef.
There are certain executive chef certifications that you should consider. These executive chef certifications include Certified Food Manager (CFM) and Certified Culinary Administrator (CCA).
What education do you need to become an executive chef?
What degree do you need to be an executive chef?
- Associate, 56%
- Bachelor's, 26%
- High School Diploma, 7%
- Diploma, 5%
- Other Degrees, 6%
What should I major in to become an executive chef?
- Culinary Arts, 60%
- Business, 9%
- Management, 4%
- Other Majors, 19%
Most common colleges for executive chefs
| Executive chef common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Culinary Institute of America | 36.39% |
| Johnson & Wales University | 35.16% |
| New England Culinary Institute | 4.11% |
| Sullivan University | 2.17% |
| Western Washington University | 2.15% |
Best majors for executive chefs
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Culinary Arts | 60.1% |
| 2 | Business | 8.6% |
| 3 | Hospitality Management | 8.2% |
| 4 | Management | 3.7% |
| 5 | Health Care Administration | 3.2% |
Best colleges for executive chefs
The best colleges for executive chefs are Drexel University, Boston University, and University of Cincinnati.
An executive chef with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for executive chefs. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become executive chefs.
1. Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,244
Enrollment
15,557
2. University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, OH • Private
In-state tuition
$11,000
Enrollment
25,973
3. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$55,188
Enrollment
15,105
4. University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$10,610
Enrollment
40,329
5. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,948
Enrollment
17,238
6. Southwest Minnesota State University
Marshall, MN • Private
In-state tuition
$8,612
Enrollment
2,022
7. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Ponce
Mercedita, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$5,914
Enrollment
4,155
20 best online courses for executive chefs
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Top 10 most affordable universities for executive chefs
The most affordable schools for executive chefs are Inter American University of Puerto Rico Barranquitas, inter american university of puerto rico aguadilla, and inter american university of puerto rico bayamon.
If the best universities for executive chefs are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for executive chefs.
1. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Barranquitas
Barranquitas, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$5,902
Cost of attendance
13,479
2. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Aguadilla
Aguadilla, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$5,902
Cost of attendance
13,284
3. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamon
Bayamon, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$5,940
Cost of attendance
13,508
4. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Ponce
Mercedita, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$5,914
Cost of attendance
13,564
5. University of North Alabama
Florence, AL • Private
In-state tuition
$10,142
Cost of attendance
18,712
6. University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM • Private
In-state tuition
$7,633
Cost of attendance
19,235
7. SUNY College of Technology at Alfred
Alfred, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,570
Cost of attendance
23,713
8. SUNY College of Technology at Delhi
Delhi, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,360
Cost of attendance
23,486
9. Mississippi University for Women
Columbus, MS • Private
In-state tuition
$6,940
Cost of attendance
18,689
10. Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS • Private
In-state tuition
$8,650
Cost of attendance
24,275
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for executive chefs
The hardest universities for executive chefs to get into are Drexel University, Boston University, and University of Cincinnati.
Some great schools for executive chefs are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for executive chefs based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
77%
SAT average
1,281
2. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
3. University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, OH • Private
Admissions rate
73%
SAT average
1,269
4. University of Charleston
Charleston, WV • Private
Admissions rate
50%
SAT average
1,057
5. Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS • Private
Admissions rate
57%
SAT average
1,230
6. SUNY College of Technology at Alfred
Alfred, NY • Private
Admissions rate
63%
SAT average
1,071
7. University of North Alabama
Florence, AL • Private
Admissions rate
64%
SAT average
1,134
8. Delaware Valley University
Doylestown, PA • Private
Admissions rate
66%
SAT average
1,080
9. University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM • Private
Admissions rate
70%
SAT average
1,120
10. Hope College
Holland, MI • Private
Admissions rate
76%
SAT average
1,233
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for executive chefs
The easiest schools for executive chefs to get into are Life University, drexel university, and university of cincinnati.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an executive chef without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for executive chefs.
1. Life University
Marietta, GA • Private
Admissions rate
94%
SAT average
979
2. Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
77%
SAT average
1,281
3. University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, OH • Private
Admissions rate
73%
SAT average
1,269
4. University of Charleston
Charleston, WV • Private
Admissions rate
50%
SAT average
1,057
5. SUNY College of Technology at Delhi
Delhi, NY • Private
Admissions rate
64%
SAT average
1,011
6. Mississippi University for Women
Columbus, MS • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,085
7. Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI • Private
Admissions rate
81%
SAT average
1,070
8. Washington Adventist Hospital
Takoma Park, MD • Private
Admissions rate
52%
SAT average
958
9. SUNY College of Technology at Alfred
Alfred, NY • Private
Admissions rate
63%
SAT average
1,071
10. University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM • Private
Admissions rate
70%
SAT average
1,120
Average executive chef salary by education level
| Executive chef education level | Executive chef salary |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or Less | $58,897 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $64,449 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $65,380 |
Executive chef education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common food preparation and restaurant questions.
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025