At $20,738/yr net price, Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts-Austin graduates earn $36,330/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $2,330/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $20,738 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $82,952 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $36,330/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$2,330/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 35.6 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 57.4% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $16,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $19,540/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $19,698/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $21,497/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $23,674/yr |
| $110,001+ | $24,133/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Culinary Arts and Related Services. | Certificate | $23,893 | $9,500 |
The Risk Factor
57.4% of students at Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts-Austin graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
The financial return here is weak, and the numbers make that plain. You pay about $20,738 a year at Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts-Austin, but ten years out the median graduate earns $36,330 , a wage that barely clears what many jobs pay without any culinary training at all. This is a for-profit two-year school built around a single field, and the field itself sets a low earnings ceiling.
The one program with reported earnings is the Culinary Arts certificate, and it pays under $24,000 a year. That is the reality of the culinary track: kitchen wages in Austin and elsewhere stay low for years, and no amount of schooling changes the going rate for line cooks and pastry work. There is no bachelor-level program data here to point you toward a higher-paying path. Culinary is what this school does, so culinary earnings are what you should expect.
The upside is that the debt is contained. A $16,000 median debt load, or $9,500 for the certificate, keeps you from digging a hole you can never climb out of. The risk is different: you may finish, carry manageable debt, and still land in a job that pays too little to justify the $20,000-plus annual price. A 57% graduation rate also means a real share of you leave without the credential but still owe.
Net price barely moves with income. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay about $19,540. over $110,000, about $24,133. Low-income families get almost no break here.
This school fits you if you already know you want a kitchen career and value hands-on training over salary. If you need the degree to pay for itself, look at cheaper community college culinary programs or a field with higher wages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts-Austin worth the cost?
With graduates earning $36,330 annually after 10 years and a net price of $20,738 per year, the financial return is weak. The median debt of $16,000 is manageable, but the low graduation rate of 57% means many students don't finish.
What is the ROI for Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts-Austin graduates?
Graduates earn about $36,330 ten years after enrollment, which is below average for college graduates. Given the annual cost of nearly $21,000, it takes several years just to break even on the investment.
Do Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts-Austin culinary programs pay off financially?
The culinary arts program has a typical cost of $23,893, but graduates in this field generally earn modest wages. Restaurant and food service work often starts at lower salaries with gradual increases over time.
What are the debt risks at Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts-Austin?
The median debt of $16,000 is relatively low compared to other culinary schools. However, with starting salaries in food service being modest, even this amount can be challenging to repay quickly.