About Culinary Institute of America

Founded in 1946, Culinary Institute of America. is a college. Located in New York, which is a city setting in New York, the campus itself is Suburban. The campus is home to 2,774 full time undergraduate students, and 19 full time graduate students.

The Culinary Institute of America Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 17:1. There are 139 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Culinary Institute of America include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.

Quick Facts

Acceptance Rate94%
Application Deadline
Application Fee50
SAT Range
ACT Range

Admissions at CIA are considered Less Selective, with ,45% of all applicants being admitted.

In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 49 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.

68% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 31% were in the top quarter, and 10% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.

STUDENT LIFE

We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Culinary Institute of America.

10%
“We”re apathetic”
50%
“We know about current events and vote”
40%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
0%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
14%
“We save it for the classroom”
14%
“Sometimes, but not often”
48%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
24%
“All the time, including weekends”
7%
“I”m always terrified”
0%
“I only go out in groups”
17%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
77%
“I feel extremely safe”
40%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
50%
“We bought the gear”
10%
“We live for the big game”
13%
“It”s not really our thing”
17%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
23%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
47%
“We”re a very artistic group”
10%
“Haven”t met them”
10%
“Available in class”
37%
“They keep regular office hours”
43%
“They”re always available”
73%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
20%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
7%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
7%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
47%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
23%
“We only party on weekends”
23%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
27%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
47%
“There might be people who do”
13%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
13%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
10%
“We”re apathetic”
50%
“We know about current events and vote”
40%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
0%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
14%
“We save it for the classroom”
14%
“Sometimes, but not often”
48%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
24%
“All the time, including weekends”
7%
“I”m always terrified”
0%
“I only go out in groups”
17%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
77%
“I feel extremely safe”
40%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
50%
“We bought the gear”
10%
“We live for the big game”
13%
“It”s not really our thing”
17%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
23%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
47%
“We”re a very artistic group”
10%
“Haven”t met them”
10%
“Available in class”
37%
“They keep regular office hours”
43%
“They”re always available”
73%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
20%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
7%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
7%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
47%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
23%
“We only party on weekends”
23%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
27%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
47%
“There might be people who do”
13%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
13%
“There”s a huge drug scene”

Culinary Institute of America REVIEWS

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  • How would you rate on-campus housing?

    118 Students rated on-campus housing 3.8 stars. 21 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate off-campus housing?

    94 Students rated off-campus housing 3.1 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus food?

    123 Students rated campus food 4.5 stars. 67 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus facilities?

    122 Students rated campus facilities 4.4 stars. 58 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate class size?

    123 Students rated class size 4.2 stars. 50 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate school activities?

    122 Students rated school activities 3.8 stars. 37 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate local services?

    121 Students rated local services 3.7 stars. 33 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate academics?

    123 Students rated academics 4 stars. 41 % gave the school a 5.0.

What's your overall opinion of Culinary Institute of America?

37 Students rated Culinary Institute of America

Martina - 01/05/2024

I've wanted to go there since I was in middle school. I enjoyed visiting and can't wait to start. I loves the architecture of the school and the classes are so interesting. The only drinking I've heard of is the wine theory class. I liked the styles of campus living I saw.

Regina - 07/09/2022

This is a place to get training by high quality chefs. The chefs have real life experience that they incorporate into their teaching. There is also opportunities to learn about all kinds of cooking, baking, the business side of the restaurant , wine and spirits. The student clubs and organizations are very diverse. Some are related to culinary activities and some are hobbies outside of culinary. Groups include gardening, bee keeping, sports, hiking, reading clubs, etc... There is something for everyone to keep busy and relax. All of the academic courses are also related to the culinary industry.

Daisy - 08/09/2020

The Culinary Institute of American is a great school where students can learn from the best chefs and teachers. The councilors are there to helps you every step of the way and are there if you need any kind of support. The opportunities they provide are like no other school. I couldn’t imagine being in another place.

Lindsay

It is an amazing school, beautiful campus and offers extraordinary curriculum. I couldn not have chose a better culinary school to attend. The facilities are state of the art, the educators are so knowledgeable and always available. I have been challenged in ways i never thought since attending The Culinary Institute of America and its made me smarter and stronger.

Culinary Institute of America FAQS

  1. What is the Acceptance Rate at Culinary Institute of America?

    The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Culinary Institute of America is 94%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020 , _____ students were offered admission. The number of males who applied was _____ vs the number of females which was _____.

  2. What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

    Make sure that you choose a school where you feel comfortable at according to area, and number of students. If you do not like to be away from home, do not move far away or you will get homesick, which willl affect your learning abilities and ability to enjoy your campus life. I was able to choose whatever school I wanted without worrying about cost. That way you chose on the merits of the school. I knew what I wanted to do and chose a school that specializes in that one career. If you attended a small high school, really think about wether you want a large school with big classes or the smaller school with small classes and where you will be able to get to know your classmates and professors. Whatever you do, enjoy the process and check out all the schools you can in person, chcking out the campus and towns around it.

    Read all  184 answers
  3. What's unique about your campus?

    Being able to just bake everyday and not have to worry about writing papers or taking classes not retaing to the art of cooking.

    Read all  36 answers
  4. What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?

    It is Far from home.

    Read all  35 answers
  5. What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?

    I wish I had known how strict they would be about behavioral infractions

    Read all  33 answers
  6. What kind of person should attend this school?

    The school demands highly from the students to perform well academically and in all practical classes. To survive the program, students need to have passion in the field of culinary arts and be able to do well in analytical subjects like maths and accounting. They will be in a more competitive standing if they have some experience working in the kitchen and restaurant environement as most of the courses involve food preparation and how to control its quality and cost.

    Read all  33 answers
  7. Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.

    The Culinary Institute of America is a highly reputable school filled with professional and highly experienced chefs giving you the knowledge you are searching for to become successful within your field.

    Read all  31 answers
  8. What kind of person should not attend this school?

    Someone who is completely aware that the Culinary field is for them. Do not choose it if you are undecided! Know what you want and how you are going to go about acheiving it.

    Read all  28 answers
  9. Describe the students at your school.

    Many of the classmates that I have met on campus are determined, artistic, excited to be here, friendly and encouraging.

    Read all  27 answers
  10. What's the most frustrating thing about your school?

    The most frustrating thing about my school is the limited transportation they provide. I often find myself bored on the weekends. Also I find my dorm bathrooms disgusting.

    Read all  25 answers
  11. Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!

    I didn't particularly look into other schools. However, I think its great that our students serve other students. I like the Kitchens on campus compared to others that I have seen.

    Read all  22 answers
  12. What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?

    The things I brag about to my friends are a grocery list long just a few are, meeting Anthony Bourdain after class one day just walking around campus and getting my chef hat signed by him next to his late 60?s sky blue Lincoln (nice classic boat!!!), baking recipes invented by Jackie-O?s personal pastry Chef, but the sickest thing I brag about is Chef Chang. Chef Chang does a demo on You Tube of her butchering a whole chicken in 12 seconds, she butchered five whole chickens in less than one minute with a cleaver in class.

    Read all  18 answers
  13. Describe your favorite campus traditions.

    Teaching students to perform well in culinary/pastry arts as well as in the hospitality industry.

    Read all  17 answers

Student Body

Students

51%

female

49%

male

2,774

Total Undergrad Enrollment

19

Total Grad Students

73%

Out-Of-State

17%

In-State

10%

International

Organizations

N/A

Student Organizations

N/A

Fraternities

N/A

Sororities

Housing

Yes

On-Campus Housing

61%

of students living on campus

Student Diversity

% American Indian/Alaskan Native
N/A
% Asian/Pacific Islander
7%
% Black or African-American
6%
% Hispanic/Latino
16%
% White or Caucasian
50%

TUITION & AID

All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA. Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.

93% of students attending Culinary Institute of America receive some sort of financial aid. 33% were awarded federal grants. While 68% received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.

Cost Out of State

$30,730

Tuition and fees(Out of state)

$800

Books and Supplies

$10,010

Room and Board

41,540

Total On Campus

Actual Cost By Income Level(W/Financial Aid)

Family Income
Cost
$0 - $30K
$26,869
$30 - $48K
$27,342
$48 - $75K
$30,867
$75 - $110K
$32,332
$110K & UP
$34,521

We use student reviews and the most current publicly available data on our school pages. As such, we don't typically remove or edit college information. Sources for school statistics and data include the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Portions of college data include copyrighted material, which is reproduced on this website by permission of Wintergreen Orchard House, a division of Carnegie Communications. © 2009-2016 by Wintergreen Orchard House. All rights reserved.

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