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CIP 12.0504 Personal and Culinary Services

Restaurant, Culinary, and Catering Management/Manager

IPEDS Completions, US Department of Education · 2025

Total graduates

737

2025 · 85 schools

International share

3.7%

27 international students

Bachelor's degrees

67

1.5% international

Overview

The field of Restaurant, Culinary, and Catering Management focuses on the comprehensive skills required to operate successful dining establishments and catering services. This discipline encompasses various aspects of the food service industry, including kitchen management, menu planning, food safety, customer service, and financial management.

Students pursuing this major typically engage in both theoretical and hands-on training. They learn about culinary techniques, food preparation, and presentation while also studying business principles such as marketing, human resources, and operations management. This dual approach equips graduates with the necessary skills to manage a diverse range of food service operations, from casual dining to upscale restaurants and large-scale catering events.

Internships and practical experiences are integral components of this program, allowing students to apply their knowledge in real-world settings. These experiences not only enhance their culinary skills but also provide valuable insights into the daily operations of restaurants and catering businesses.

As the food service industry continues to evolve, particularly with trends in sustainability, health-conscious dining, and technology integration, graduates of this program are well-prepared to adapt and thrive. They can pursue various career paths, ranging from restaurant management and catering coordination to roles in food and beverage marketing, event planning, and even entrepreneurship within the culinary sector.

Overall, the Restaurant, Culinary, and Catering Management program offers a dynamic and rewarding educational pathway for those passionate about food and hospitality, providing them with the skills and knowledge to excel in a vibrant industry.

Graduates by year

Graduates by degree level (first and second majors)

AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral

From 2002 to 2025, graduates grew 45% and the international share went from 1.2% to 3.7%.

International share (%)
Graduates by group, 2025
White
31.3%
Asian
5.2%
Hispanic
31.3%
Black
19.4%
Other
9.1%
Intl.
3.7%

Colleges that award this degree

In 2025, 85 schools awarded this degree as a first major. The table lists those in the 2027 U.S. News National or Liberal Arts rankings, plus the unranked schools with the most graduates.

RankSchoolStateGraduatesInternational
#317 Ferris State University Michigan 2 0
#365 The University of Montana Montana 6 0
— Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts-Boulder Colorado 74 0
— Miami Dade College Florida 45 7
— Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Carolina Campus Puerto Rico 45 0
— Valencia College Florida 40 6
— CUNY Kingsborough Community College New York 38 0
— Utah Valley University Utah 36 0
— Anne Arundel Community College Maryland 23 0
— American River College California 22 1
— Florida State College at Jacksonville Florida 16 0
— Johnson County Community College Kansas 16 3
— Howard Community College Maryland 16 2
— Los Angeles Trade Technical College California 14 0
— Southeast Community College Area Nebraska 14 0
— Daytona State College Florida 13 0
— College of Lake County Illinois 13 0
— Sinclair Community College Ohio 13 0
— Laney College California 12 0
— Allan Hancock College California 11 1
— Hillsborough College Florida 11 2
— College of Southern Nevada Nevada 11 1
— SUNY Westchester Community College New York 11 1
— Remington College-Memphis Campus Tennessee 11 0
— Broward College Florida 10 1
— Indian River State College Florida 10 0
— Waukesha County Technical College Wisconsin 10 0
— Los Angeles Mission College California 9 0
— Pensacola State College Florida 8 0
— Mohawk Valley Community College New York 8 0
— SUNY College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill New York 8 0
— Culinary Institute Inc Texas 8 0

Purple: international students are 25% or more of the school's graduates.

Related jobs and pay

OccupationUS employmentMean hourly wageMean annual wage
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers 1,223,240 $22.20 $46,180
Food Service Managers 238,430 $36.00 $74,880
Chefs and Head Cooks 200,040 $32.07 $66,700
Cooks, Private Household 1,100 $25.81 $53,680

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.

Graduate counts: IPEDS Completions, US Department of Education, 2002–2025. Rankings: 2027 U.S. News.