Founded in 1914, Johnson and Wales University is one of the top schools in baking and pastry arts in the country. The private school has campuses in Providence, R.I.; Miami, Fla.; Denver, Colo.; and Charlotte, N.C. Students enrolled at JWU's College of Culinary Arts can choose between a two-year associate's degree or a four-year bachelor's degree in baking and pastry arts. Students interested in management positions can also choose to take a bachelor's degree in baking and pastry arts with food service management.
The Culinary Institute of America is world-renowned, nonprofit culinary school. It has campuses in Hyde Park, N.Y.; St. Helena, Cal.; and San Antonio, Texas. Students can pursue an Associate in Occupational Studies in Baking and Pastry Arts degree at the CIA's New York and California facilities. The bachelor's degree program in this field is available only at CIA's main campus in Hyde Park.
Le Cordon Bleu, which means "The Blue Ribbon" in French, is an internationally acclaimed culinary school founded in Paris, France, in 1895. It has 16 U.S. campuses located in 13 states. It has affiliations in many of the country's culinary and food service associations. All 16 Le Cordon Bleu campuses offer a baking and pastry arts program. Some campuses offer both a certificate program and an associate's degree program, but others offer only the certificate program.
Students looking for a more-affordable education in baking and pastry arts can choose from many community colleges around the country. Houston Community College is one of the best community colleges offering various certificates, awards and associate degree programs in culinary arts. Founded in 1971, HCC has six campuses around Houston, Texas. In the school's Hospitality and Tourism division, students can choose between a two-year associate's degree in baking and pastry program or a one-year baking and pastry certificate. They can also opt to take a one-semester skill-award program in the areas of baking, cake decorating and pastry cooking.