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National Louis University
Chicago, Illinois · Private non-profit university · Training programs available:
Address: 122 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60603 · Phone: (800) 443-5522 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
National Louis University is a private non-profit trade/career school in Chicago, IL offering culinary & pastry programs, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and other bodies.
Per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, median graduate debt is $19,750 and median earnings 10 years after entry are $45,799; completion rate vs. the state average of 58.4% is not reported for this campus.
Cost of attendance is not reported in federal data for National Louis University; contact the school for current tuition. Federal financial aid can be used here, and 55.1% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chefs and head cooks | $40,330 | $58,830 | $73,620 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in Illinois (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 | Associate degree | 59 | $31,385 | $30,264 | $12,833 |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 26 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Associate degree | 24 | $31,385 | $30,264 | $12,833 |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 4 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
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
National Louis University is a private non-profit school located in Chicago, Illinois. It is accredited by the American Psychological Association, Commission on Accreditation, the Higher Learning Commission, and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, and it participates in federal financial aid (Title IV). Among its trade-oriented offerings, the campus is most associated with culinary & pastry programs, with 113 completers recorded in that field out of an undergraduate enrollment of 4,406.
Federal data shows a completion rate comparison to the state average is not reported for this campus, though the state average completion rate for similar programs is 58.4%. Graduates carry a median debt of $19,750, and median earnings 10 years after entry are reported at $45,799. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. About 55.1% of students at this campus receive Pell Grants, indicating a substantial share of low-income students.
This campus may suit students pursuing culinary and pastry training within a larger university setting located in a large city. Program length details beyond the culinary & pastry field are not reported here, so applicants weighing a career change should confirm specific schedules and formats directly with the school. To verify accreditation status and review the latest federal outcome data, prospective students can consult the listed accreditors or look up the school on the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
National Louis University's trade-related offerings center on culinary & pastry programs, with 113 completers reported. Other program families beyond this are not detailed in the data provided.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, the school is accredited. Its accreditors include the American Psychological Association Commission on Accreditation, the Higher Learning Commission, and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this school participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so students can use FAFSA-based aid, including Pell Grants. About 55.1% of students here receive Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate for this campus compared to the state average is not reported in federal data. The state average completion rate is 58.4%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Median debt for graduates of this campus is reported at $19,750, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are reported at $45,799, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
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 at (800) 443-5522 or via https://www.nl.edu/ for current tuition figures.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
National Louis University is a private non-profit institution. Non-profit status generally means the school reinvests revenue into educational operations rather than distributing profits to shareholders.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Specific program lengths are not reported in the data provided. Contact the school directly to confirm the duration of the culinary & pastry program or other offerings.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can confirm accreditation status through the listed accreditors, and review federal outcome data directly on the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?147536.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The data does not specify program formats or schedules tailored to adult learners or career changers. Contact the school to ask about flexible or accelerated options for the culinary & pastry program.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing or certification requirements after completing a program are not reported in the data provided. Check with relevant state licensing boards or the school directly for specifics related to culinary careers.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach National Louis University by phone at (800) 443-5522 or visit their website at https://www.nl.edu/ for application information.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data with other nearby culinary programs is not reported in the data provided. Prospective students can use the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?147536 to compare outcomes across schools.
Other trade and career schools in Chicago, IL
- City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X CollegeChicago, IL · 18% completion
- City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King CollegeChicago, IL · 31% completion
- St. Augustine CollegeChicago, IL · college
- Roosevelt UniversityChicago, IL · university
- The French Pastry SchoolChicago, IL · career school
- City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley CollegeChicago, IL · 27% completion
- HVAC Technical InstituteChicago, IL · 86% completion
- Tricoci University of Beauty Culture-Chicago NWChicago, IL · 0.0% completion
See all trade and career schools in Illinois 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.