Best Culinary Schools in Alaska (2025 Guide)
Culinary Schools Ranked by Cost, Career Outcomes & Industry Reputation
Alaska has a limited number of culinary schools—just three institutions across the state currently offer formal culinary training. But despite the small number, these schools provide a range of programs including culinary arts certificates, associate degrees, and specialized training in areas like baking and pastry.
To help prospective students and career changers explore their options, Chef’s Pencil has evaluated Alaska’s culinary schools using a custom weighted scoring system based on the following key factors:
💰 Tuition & attendance costs
💼 Graduate earnings (5 years post-completion)
🎓 Graduation rates
📊 Number of culinary program graduates
🔗 LinkedIn reputation (graduates working as chefs or executive chefs)
Because career outcomes and costs can vary between short-term certificate programs and two-year associate degrees, we’ve grouped our analysis into two distinct categories:
- Top Culinary Certificate & Diploma Programs (typically 6–9 months)
- Top Culinary Associate Degree Programs (typically 2 years / 4 semesters)
Top Culinary Schools in Alaska for Culinary Arts Certificate Programs
Below is our ranking of the top culinary certificate and diploma programs in Alaksa. These short-term programs—typically lasting 6 to 9 months—focus on hands-on training in culinary fundamentals. Rankings are based on publicly available data and a custom Chef’s Pencil weighted scoring system.
1. University of Alaska – Fairbanks
This is by far the largest culinary program in Alaska, with 18 graduates earning a culinary arts diploma—compared to just five graduates at the Alaska Vocational Technical Center, based on the most recent data published by the U.S. Department of Education.
This in in-depth program that covers a broad range of culinary and baking disciplines, such as gourmet cooking, protein fabrication, and garde manger, providing a solid foundation for various roles in the food service industry.
Earnings data for culinary programs in Alaska is currently unavailable, so we rely on our LinkedIn reputation score as a proxy for assessing career outcomes. In this area, the school earns a medium score, reflecting a modest but visible presence of alumni working as chefs or executive chefs.
Number of Graduates: 18
Graduation Rate (Institution-wide): 37%
Earnings after 5 Years (Program-specific): n/a
LinkedIn Reputation Score: Medium
Tuition & Culinary Lab Fee: $7,020
Attendance Cost: $31,070
2. Alaska Vocational Technical Center
The Alaska Vocational Technical Center (AVTEC) offers a small but highly concentrated culinary arts program, with five graduates earning a diploma based on the most recent data published by the U.S. Department of Education.
This is a focused, hands-on program that emphasizes practical culinary skills and food service operations, ideal for students seeking rapid entry into the workforce. Students receive intensive training in core kitchen techniques, food safety, and basic baking, preparing them for immediate employment in restaurants, catering, or institutional kitchens.
Notably, AVTEC offers the most affordable culinary arts program in Alaska, making it an attractive option for students looking to minimize educational costs without sacrificing hands-on training.
Earnings data for culinary programs in Alaska is currently unavailable, so we rely on our LinkedIn reputation score as a proxy for assessing career outcomes. In this area, the school earns a low score, suggesting that alumni have a more limited online professional presence.
Number of Graduates: 5
Graduation Rate (Institution-wide): 91%
Earnings after 5 Years (Program-specific): n/a
LinkedIn Reputation Score: Low
Tuition & Culinary Lab Fee: $3,287
Attendance Cost: $14,535
3. University of Alaska Anchorage
The University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) offers a condensed culinary arts certificate designed for students who want to build foundational skills and quickly enter the workforce. At UAA, you can earn a culinary arts certificate and kickstart your career fast — the program packs everything you need into just 19 credits.
According to the most recent data published by the U.S. Department of Education, there were no graduates reported for this specific program year, but the program remains a key part of UAA’s Community and Technical College offerings.
The curriculum focuses on core culinary techniques, food safety, and a la carte cooking, making it an excellent choice for those who prefer a shorter, more intensive educational experience. Because of its streamlined structure, the program is more affordable than the broader Fairbanks culinary program, though it remains pricier than the option offered at the Alaska Vocational Technical Center.
Earnings data for culinary programs in Alaska is currently unavailable, so we rely on our LinkedIn reputation score as a proxy for assessing career outcomes. In this area, UAA earns a medium-to-high score, reflecting a stronger online presence of alumni working in culinary and hospitality fields.
Number of Graduates: 0
Graduation Rate (Institution-wide): 33%
Earnings after 5 Years (Program-specific): n/a
LinkedIn Reputation Score: Medium-High
Tuition: $4,579
Attendance Cost: $6,188
Top Culinary Associate Degree Programs in Arizona
For aspiring chefs in Alaska looking to take their culinary education a step further, associate degree programs provide a more comprehensive foundation than short-term certificates or diplomas. Typically completed over four semesters (about two years), these programs combine intensive hands-on kitchen training with coursework in nutrition, food safety, menu planning, and hospitality management—ideal for those who want both technical skills and a broader understanding of the culinary industry.
In Alaska, two schools offer an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in Culinary Arts: the University of Alaska Anchorage and the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Below is our ranking of these programs, based on publicly available data and Chef’s Pencil’s custom weighted scoring system.
University of Alaska Anchorage and University of Alaska Fairbanks
Both the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) and the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) offer Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degrees in Culinary Arts, providing a strong mix of hands-on kitchen training and classroom instruction in areas like nutrition, sanitation, menu planning, and hospitality management.
These two-year programs are well-suited for students who want a deeper and broader culinary education compared to short-term certificates. Recent data show small graduating classes—six at UAA and four at UAF—with similar graduation rates and costs. UAA holds a slightly stronger LinkedIn reputation score, while UAF is modestly more affordable.
Earnings data for Alaska culinary graduates is unavailable, so our rankings lean on LinkedIn reputation as a proxy for career outcomes.
Number of Graduates: 6 (UAA), 4 (UAF)
Graduation Rate (Institution-wide): 33% (UAA), 37% (UAF)
Earnings after 5 Years (Program-specific): n/a
LinkedIn Reputation Score: Medium-High (UAA), Medium (UAF)
Tuition & Culinary Lab Fee: $14,460 (UAA), $14,040 (UAF)
Attendance Cost: $46,358 (UAA), $43,219 (UAF)
Employment Prospects in Alaska’s Culinary Industry
According to the latest U.S. Census data published in April 2025, Alaska is home to approximately 8,160 employed cooks and chefs, ranking 46th nationwide in total culinary employment—positioned between Delaware and Rhode Island. While this may seem low, Alaska actually ranks 7th nationally in the number of cooks and chefs relative to its population.
Wages across the state vary based on position, experience, and location. For example:
- Fast food cooks earn an average of $33,230 per year (or $15.98 per hour),
- Restaurant line cooks in full-service establishments average $40,580 annually (or $19.51 per hour),
- Chefs and head cooks command higher salaries, averaging $60,810 per year (or $29.23 per hour).
Top culinary professionals—particularly executive chefs working in high-end restaurants, luxury resorts, or specialty catering—can earn even higher wages depending on their reputation, skills, and the exclusivity of the venue.
Regional variation also plays a role. The Anchorage metro area offers the highest concentration of culinary employment, with restaurant cooks averaging $40,920 annually and chefs and head cooks earning around $58,990 per year. Fairbanks, another key hub, reports similar salaries, with restaurant cooks earning $40,290 and chefs and head cooks making approximately $53,320 annually.
While Alaska’s culinary workforce is relatively small compared to other states, the market presents steady opportunities, especially for those willing to work in the state’s tourism-driven dining sector, high-end lodges, or specialty operations serving remote communities and seasonal industries like fishing and adventure tourism.
Overall, Alaska offers a tight but stable landscape for culinary professionals, with competitive wages relative to the cost of living and unique opportunities tied to its dynamic seasonal economy.
Data Sources & Methodology Note
Graduation rates, earnings data, and other institutional metrics were obtained from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard. Tuition and attendance costs were independently researched by the Chef’s Pencil team to reflect the most up-to-date information available for the 2024–2025 academic year.
Where possible, we contacted each school directly to confirm current rates and program details. While we received responses from many institutions, not all schools replied by the time of publication.
Related: Best Culinary Schools in Arizona
