At $16,679/yr net price, Jna Institute of Culinary Arts graduates earn $32,286/yr within 10 years of enrollment.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $16,679 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $66,716 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $32,286/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | $-1,714/yr |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 14.3% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $8,209 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $13,860/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $20,438/yr |
| $110,001+ | $20,438/yr |
The Risk Factor
14.3% of students at Jna Institute of Culinary Arts graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
The financial return here is weak. You pay $16,679 a year, and ten years after enrolling the median graduate earns $32,286. That salary sits close to what many jobs in Philadelphia pay without any culinary credential, so the price you pay is hard to recover through higher wages.
The single biggest risk is the graduation rate. Only 14.3% of students finish. If you enroll and don't complete, you carry the cost with no credential to show for it, and you're far more likely to fall in that group than out of it. This is the number that should drive your decision.
Median debt is low at $8,209, which is the one bright spot. That debt load is manageable on a $32,286 income, so if you do finish, you won't be buried in loans. The problem is earnings that stay flat, not debt that piles up.
Net price shifts sharply by income. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay $13,860. above $75,000, you pay $20,438. Even the discounted low-income price runs into weak earnings, so no income tier gets a strong return here.
This school fits you only if you want a specific culinary path, already have restaurant work lined up, and can afford the cost without leaning on future salary to justify it. If you're depending on this credential to raise your income, the numbers don't back that up. Look at community college culinary programs in the Philadelphia area, where the net price is typically far lower for a similar wage outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jna Institute of Culinary Arts worth the money?
The numbers suggest significant risk. With a 14% graduation rate and median earnings of $32,286 ten years after enrollment, most students don't finish and those who do earn relatively low wages for the culinary field.
What is the job outlook for Jna Institute of Culinary Arts graduates?
Post-graduation earnings average $32,286 annually, which is below the national average for culinary graduates from similar programs. The extremely low graduation rate of 14% means most students never complete their program to enter the workforce.
How much debt do Jna Institute of Culinary Arts students typically have?
The median debt is relatively low at $8,209, but this may reflect the high dropout rate rather than affordability. Students who don't graduate still carry debt without the credential to increase earning potential.
Does Jna Institute of Culinary Arts have good graduation rates?
No. Only 14% of students graduate, which is extremely low even for culinary schools. This suggests serious problems with either student support, program quality, or student preparation.