Head chef education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a head chef. Head chefs usually study culinary arts, business, or hospitality management. 43% of head chefs hold a associate degree, and 24% hold an bachelor's degree. We analyzed 9,265 real head chef resumes to see exactly what head chef education sections show.

The most common colleges for head chefs are the Johnson & Wales University and the Johnson & Wales University.

There are also many online head chef courses to help get the education required to be a head chef.

There are certain head chef certifications that you should consider. These head chef certifications include ServSafe Alcohol and Certified Food Manager (CFM).

What education do you need to become a head chef?

What degree do you need to be a head chef?

The most common degree for head chefs is associate degree, with 43% of head chefs earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are bachelor's degree degree at 24% and bachelor's degree degree at 20%.

Associate, 43%

Bachelor's, 24%

High School Diploma, 20%

Diploma, 8%

Other Degrees, 5%

What should I major in to become a head chef?

You should major in culinary arts to become a head chef. 52% of head chefs major in culinary arts. Other common majors for a head chef include business and hospitality management.

Culinary Arts, 52%

Business, 12%

Hospitality Management, 6%

Management, 4%

Other Majors, 26%

Most common colleges for head chefs

Head chefs often get their degrees at Johnson & Wales University, Culinary Institute of America, and New England Culinary Institute. Here are the most common colleges for head chefs in the US based on their resumes.

Head chef common college	Percentages
Johnson & Wales University	33.81%
Culinary Institute of America	28.96%
New England Culinary Institute	4.32%
University of Phoenix	3.24%
Sullivan University	2.88%

Show more common head chef colleges

Best majors for head chefs

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Culinary Arts	51.6%
2	Business	11.8%
3	Hospitality Management	6.5%
4	Management	3.6%
5	General Studies	2.8%

Show more common head chef majors

Best colleges for head chefs

The best colleges for head chefs are Drexel University, Boston University, and University of Cincinnati.

A head 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 head 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 head 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 head chefs

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Top 10 most affordable universities for head chefs

The most affordable schools for head 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 head 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 head 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 head chefs

The hardest universities for head chefs to get into are Drexel University, Boston University, and University of Cincinnati.

Some great schools for head 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 head 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 head chefs

The easiest schools for head 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 a head 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 head 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 head chef salary by education level

Head chefs with a Associate degree earn more than those without, at $50,832 annually. With a Bachelor's degree, head chefs earn a median annual income of $49,989 compared to $45,008 for head chefs with an High School Diploma degree.

Head chef education level	Head chef salary
High School Diploma or Less	$45,008
Bachelor's Degree	$49,989
Some College/ Associate Degree	$50,832

Head chef education FAQs

What is the best college for Head Chefs?

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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