Career Training Path › California › Institute of Culinary Education
Institute of Culinary Education
Pasadena, California · Private for-profit career college · Training programs available:
Address: 521 East Green Street, Pasadena, CA 91101 · Phone: (626) 345-6601 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Institute of Culinary Education is a private for-profit trade school in Pasadena, CA offering culinary and pastry programs, accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.
Per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, Institute of Culinary Education has a 77.3% completion rate, above the state average of 64.2%, with median graduate debt of $6,439 and median earnings of $47,865 ten years after entry.
Cost of attendance is not reported in federal data for Institute of Culinary Education; the school participates in Title IV federal financial aid, and about 29.3% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chefs and head cooks | $37,380 | $64,500 | $81,040 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in California (May 2025; national where the state figure is not published). The program table below shows what this campus's own graduates earned in their first year, whatever job they took.
Trade programs at this campus
| Program | Credential | Grads / yr | Earnings, yr 1 | Earnings, yr 2 | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 174 | $31,113 | not reported | $6,439 |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 77 | $31,113 | not reported | $6,439 |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Associate degree | 21 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 13 | $31,113 | not reported | $6,439 |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 1 | $31,113 | not reported | $6,439 |
Earnings are median wages and self-employment income reported to the IRS (W-2 and Schedule SE) for graduates who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled, measured in the calendar year after finishing. They are pay only: health insurance, retirement contributions and other benefits are not included.
Graduates per year from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey. Earnings and debt are College Scorecard field-of-study medians for graduates of this program at this campus (reported at the 4-digit program level, so closely related programs share a figure); "not reported" means too few graduates were counted to publish a figure.
About this school
Institute of Culinary Education is a private for-profit trade school located in Pasadena, California. It is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges, and students here can use federal financial aid, since the school participates in Title IV programs. The campus focuses on culinary and pastry programs, with its top program being Culinary & Pastry Schools, which accounts for 286 completers among roughly 553 undergraduate students enrolled.
Federal data show a completion rate of 77.3%, which is above the state average of 64.2%. Graduates carry a median debt of $6,439, and median earnings ten years after entry are reported at $47,865. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. About 29.3% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a meaningful share of the student body comes from lower-income backgrounds.
This campus may suit students interested in focused culinary or pastry training rather than a multi-year degree path, given the concentration of completers in a single program family. Because program length details are not reported here, prospective students—including adult career changers—should contact the school directly to confirm schedules and format. To verify accreditation status and outcomes independently, check the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges directory and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard listing for this institution.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Institute of Culinary Education offers culinary and pastry programs, with its top program being Culinary & Pastry Schools (286 completers). The school reports 5 total programs in this family.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, it is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges, and its accreditation status is listed as Accredited.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, the school participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so students can use FAFSA-based aid, including Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 77.3%, which is above the state average of 64.2%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Median debt among graduates is reported at $6,439.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings ten years after entry are reported at $47,865.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school directly for current tuition information.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
This is a private for-profit school, which can affect tuition pricing and financial aid structures compared to public or non-profit institutions.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program length is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school directly to confirm program duration.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation through the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges and review outcomes on the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?493080.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The data does not directly address career-changer fit, but the concentrated culinary program offerings suggest a focused training path; contact the school to discuss whether it matches your goals.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing or certification requirements are not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school at (626) 345-6601 or visit https://www.ice.edu/losangeles for details.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach the school by phone at (626) 345-6601 or through its website at https://www.ice.edu/losangeles.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data with nearby schools is not reported in federal data; check the College Scorecard for side-by-side outcome comparisons.
Other trade and career schools in Pasadena, CA
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- Santa Rosa Junior CollegeSanta Rosa, CA · 37% completion
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- National Holistic InstituteEmeryville, CA · 80% completion
See all trade and career schools in California or search by ZIP code.
Data: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey; College Scorecard June 2026; Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), September 2026. Figures are the U.S. Department of Education's official measures, not Career Training Path's opinion. Tuition, schedules and program availability change — confirm with the school before enrolling.