Affordable Culinary Schools

National Culinary School

• The National Culinary School just outside of San Diego is one of the most affordable programs out there, but it's only a 16-week course. There are three classes offered, one for the culinary arts program, as well as a bakery arts program and an advanced pastry arts program. Tuition for the culinary arts class, including foods, supplies and textbooks, is $11,550 as of 2011. Tuition for the bakery arts program is $6,840 and the advanced pastry arts program is $6,500. The bakery arts program fee also includes textbooks.

  National Culinary School

  8400 Center Dr.

  La Mesa, CA 91942

  619-461-2800

  nationalschools.com

Oregon Coast Culinary Institute

• Although the Oregon Coast Culinary Institute is a program offered by Southwestern Oregon Community College, the school charges a flat fee rather than charging by the credit hour. As of 2011, it's $24,000 for a 15-month program, 12 months with the school and an additional three months in an externship with a local restaurant. The fee includes everything: food, textbooks and your own knife kit.

  Southwestern Oregon Community College

  1988 Newmark Ave.

  Coos Bay, OR 97420

  877-895-CHEF

  541-888-7195

  occi.net

Arizona Culinary Institute

• Classes at the Arizona Culinary Institute are limited to 20 students. The facility boasts five modern kitchens and the du Jour restaurant, run by the students. This is a nine-month program with diplomas in either culinary arts, baking or restaurant management. Cost is $24,990 as of 2011, plus an additional $1,805 for knives, uniforms and books.

  Arizona Culinary Institute

  10585 N. 114th St., #401

  Scottsdale, AZ 85259

  866-294-CHEF (2433)

  480-603-1066

  azculinary.com

Loans, Scholarships and Financial Aid

• You can finance the National Culinary School's tuition through Sallie Mae Financial with a credit score of at least 620, and payments do not come due until after you graduate. The school also offers some in-house financing. The Arizona Culinary Institute offers scholarships and accepts Federal Pell Grants. As part of a community college, the Oregon College Culinary Institute offers scholarships and accepts both federal and state financial aid. There are also loan programs available.