At $12,193/yr net price, Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts-Boulder graduates earn $32,001/yr within 10 years of enrollment.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $12,193 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $48,772 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $32,001/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | $-1,999/yr |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 45.9% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $9,653 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $11,578/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $12,203/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $12,930/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $15,311/yr |
| $110,001+ | $16,195/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Culinary Arts and Related Services. | Certificate | $25,967 | $9,150 |
The Risk Factor
45.9% of students at Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts-Boulder 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 don't hide it. Ten years after enrolling, your median earnings land at $32,001 a year , below what many high school graduates earn, and barely above the poverty line for a small family. This is a for-profit culinary school, and the only program with earnings data, Culinary Arts (certificate), reports $25,967 a year. That is the reality of the field you'd be training for: kitchen work pays low wages early on, and this school's outcomes reflect that.
The one thing working in your favor is debt. At a median of about $9,650, you'd borrow far less than at a typical private school. On a $25,967 income, even that modest debt is manageable. So the risk isn't a debt spiral , it's paying $12,193 a year for a credential that leads to low-wage work you could arguably enter without it.
Culinary Arts is the only program on offer, so there's no higher-paying major to pivot toward. If you already know you want to cook professionally and value formal training to speed up your kitchen career, the low debt makes this a defensible bet. If you're looking for a degree that raises your income ceiling, look elsewhere.
Net price barely moves with income. If your family earns under $30k, you'd pay about $11,578. over $110k, about $16,195. The gap between the lowest and highest tiers is under $5,000, so lower-income families get little price relief here. With a 45.9% graduation rate, there's also a real chance you pay and leave without finishing. Go in only if the cooking career itself is the goal, and keep your borrowing tight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts-Boulder worth the debt?
With graduates earning $32,001 ten years after enrollment and median debt of $9,653, the debt load is relatively manageable compared to most culinary schools. However, the low graduation rate of 46% means many students don't finish the program.
What is the return on investment for Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts-Boulder?
The ROI is poor, with graduates earning just $32,001 annually ten years later. This is below the national average and makes it difficult to justify the cost, even with the lower debt burden.
Do Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts-Boulder graduates get good-paying jobs?
No, graduates typically earn around $32,000 ten years after enrollment. Culinary Arts graduates specifically earn about $26,000, which is low for any college degree and reflects the challenging economics of the food service industry.
What are the graduation rates at Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts-Boulder?
Only 46% of students graduate, meaning more than half don't complete their programs. This high dropout rate is a major red flag when considering the school's value.