How To Get Student Loans for Culinary School in 2025

Students who are passionate about the culinary arts might consider forgoing a traditional four-year college path to attend culinary school. But completing a culinary program can be costly.

An analysis by Chef's Pencil, an independent food magazine, revealed that the average culinary student leaves school with $11,905 of debt (in 2022 dollars) — when adjusted for inflation in 2025, that's $13,541.

Understanding your culinary school financing options and how to find the best student loans for vocational training can help you make informed borrowing choices.

Current private student loan rates

Can you get student loans for culinary school?

Federal student aid, like Direct Loans, is commonly used to pay for a traditional four-year college or university. But according to Chris Biddle, vice president of financial aid operations at Lincoln Technical Institute, students might be able to get culinary school tuition help from the federal government, too.

“Some students don't understand that they're going to qualify for the same financial assistance that they would have at any Title IV-approved school,” says Biddle.

“They have the same access that they would have at a community college or a four-year university to those funds. Some students think that they're on their own, that they have to pay out of pocket, that there's no federal student aid help for these programs,” he adds.

All schools that participate in federal student aid programs must have Title IV accreditation. Culinary schools that have Title IV accreditation abide by the Department of Education's strict academic and administrative standards and agree to comply with its code of conduct.

Aside from federal student loans, you can also explore private student loans for culinary school. However, federal student loans should often be your first choice due to their many borrower benefits and protections.

Federal student loans for culinary school

Some community colleges and public career schools offer culinary programs. If your institution participates in the federal student aid program, you might be eligible for federal student loans. All accredited Title IV institutions have an assigned federal school code. You can use StudentAid.gov's school search tool to find out if your school participates.

After confirming that your school is a participating institution, fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This is the only application you'll need to apply for federal subsidized and unsubsidized Direct Loans. Subsidized loans are only available to undergraduate students with financial need, but unsubsidized loans are available to all students.

Parents of culinary students who want to financially assist their child in paying for culinary school — or students who are pursuing advanced graduate culinary programs — can also see if they qualify for Direct PLUS Loans through the FAFSA.

Direct Loans are the best student loans for vocational training because most don't require a credit check, and qualified students with financial need might qualify for subsidized interest on their student loans. They also offer low, fixed rates, a six-month grace period, generous deferment and forbearance options, flexible repayment plans, and access to loan forgiveness.

Private student loans for culinary students

Getting culinary school funding via a private student loan is also an option. Private lenders, like Sallie Mae and Ascent, offer career loans to students who need financing for culinary school or other trades.

Private student loans require a credit check, and their features and eligibility requirements differ from lender to lender. Factors to compare when shopping for a private student loan include interest rates, fixed- or variable-rate options, cosigner requirements, and repayment plans.

Scholarships and grants for culinary school

Before taking out student loans for culinary school, exhaust all scholarship and grant options first. Scholarships and grants are gift-based student aid that doesn't need to be repaid.

You can find culinary scholarships directly through your school or through third-party organizations. For example, the Institute of Culinary Education offers need-based scholarships up to $25,000 each, and the American Culinary Federation offers various scholarship programs with awards up to $2,500.

The FAFSA is also a pathway to access federal- and state-sponsored grants. The federal Pell Grant, for example, is available to eligible undergraduate students who demonstrate exceptional financial need. Some states also offer need-based grant programs to residents, which can ease the financial burden of culinary school costs.

Alternative ways to pay for culinary training

If you still need financial assistance after exploring scholarships, grants, and federal and private student loans for culinary school, here are some alternatives to consider:

• Tuition installment plans: Ask your school's financial aid office if it offers installment plans for tuition. This lets you make smaller, manageable monthly payments over time instead of one lump sum up front.
• Employer reimbursement: Some employers offer tuition reimbursement benefits. Your employer may pay back some of your out-of-pocket costs for culinary school after completing the program. Speak to someone in your human resources department to learn if your employer offers this perk.
• Work-study programs: Federal work-study offers students who demonstrate financial need opportunities for paid, part-time work. Typically, students are encouraged to seek work that aligns with their academic studies.
• Part-time employment: If you don't qualify for work-study, you can also consider finding part-time employment independently. This can be a great opportunity to get hands-on experience in the culinary industry in roles such as catering assistant or prep cook.

Culinary school costs and salary outlook

The average cost of culinary school is highly dependent on the program's prestige and duration. Below are general ranges that you might encounter across different culinary program types.

If you're interested in getting a formal education in the culinary arts but want a more affordable option, consider starting at a public community college. Local community colleges and trade schools offer culinary certifications or associate degree programs that are closer to four figures.

When choosing a culinary school, it's important to weigh the return on investment (ROI) of each program against the amount you might realistically earn after graduating. Jennifer Hash, vice president of career services at Lincoln Tech, compares a culinary school's ROI to that of being an educator.

“When you go into education and become a teacher, you know you're not going to be making the money that you want to be making initially,” she says.

“Now, when you get up to tenure, you can definitely achieve a greater salary. Culinary is a little bit like that,” Hash explains. “You usually start off in a lower position, like a line chef. It might not be exactly where you want to be, but you have to pay your dues. You might not see that return on investment immediately, but you definitely see it down the road.”

The salary you can earn with a culinary certificate or degree is highly variable. Factors like years of experience, geographic location, and culinary specialty determine your salary. Below are examples of culinary jobs and their median wages:

• Restaurant line cook: $35,760 per year
• Head cook: $60,990 per year
• Executive chef: $86,886 per year

Tips for borrowing wisely for culinary school

• Research short- and long-term wages: Estimate how much you'll earn immediately after graduating and how long it might take you to work your way toward the income you want.
• Prioritize scholarships and grants: Maximize opportunities for gift-based student aid to reduce your loan burden.
• Start with federal student loans: If you need to take out a loan, look to federal loans first since they offer competitive fixed rates, as well as greater repayment flexibility and protections.
• Set borrowing limits: Avoid borrowing more than you need and can realistically repay, especially if you expect a lower-paying entry-level role right out of school.
• Read the fine print: Thoroughly read and ensure you understand the loan terms, including how interest accrues, before signing a loan agreement.