Food Is Your Life. Food Is Your Future.Start Your Journey at CIA.
At the Culinary Institute of America, programs are designed for students ready to build skills, deepen their knowledge, or take a new direction through food. Across culinary, baking and pastry, hospitality, and food business, you learn through hands-on experience in professional kitchens and real-world environments—so you can keep moving forward while gaining practical skills and a broader perspective on where your path can lead.
Programs Built for Growing Food Careers
Exploring CIA starts with discovering the program that best aligns with your interests and goals. You can choose from associate offerings in culinary arts or baking and pastry arts, bachelor's degrees in food business management, applied food studies, culinary science, and hospitality management, or an accelerated culinary arts certificate program—each offering a distinct path to build your future in food.
By joining CIA, you’ll have:
- An industry-driven curriculum taught through the lens of food
- A paid internship semester at one of 2,000+ industry sites
- Guidance from expert faculty, including master chefs, top food industry executives, and more
- Access to a global alumni network of 55,000+ professionals across the industry
Whether you're earning your first degree or building on prior education and experience, CIA offers flexible pathways designed to help you make the most of your previous experience and pursue your goals in food. Choosing CIA means you'll gain 2x the foundational skills as other similar programs and dive deeper into the food world, providing advanced preparation for your future career.
Ava Swank, Baking and Pastry Arts“I picked CIA because I feel like they have the best name in the culinary industry ... and additionally, [CIA] instructors are one of a kind, and they really pay attention to their students the same amount they do to their craft.”
Discover How Learning Comes to Life at CIA
The best way to learn is with your hands. That’s why CIA gets you into kitchens, bakeshops, and labs—as well as on-campus restaurants and into the field during an internship. We’ll take you to every corner of the food world and prepare you to lead the future of food.
Feel Confident About the Investment You’re Making
We believe that you should be challenged by your education, not by the cost of returning to school. That’s why 90% of our students receive some form of financial aid, totaling more than $45 million in scholarships and grants.
You can also work with financial aid advisors who guide you through the FAFSA and help you understand your options. Transfer credit opportunities may allow you to apply up to 30 credits toward your degree, helping you reduce costs and complete your program quicker.
The CIA experience connects you directly to the food and hospitality industries. With Career Services support and access to a network of 55,000+ alumni, you gain the tools and connections to take your next step in your career, increasing your professional confidence and earning potential.
Food is your opportunity.Apply to CIA Today!
It’s your moment. Make your move at CIA. Whether you’re just starting out, changing careers, or bringing prior experience to the next level—CIA offers unmatched education and real-world opportunities to help you achieve your goals. Submit your application today to receive:
- Automatic merit scholarship consideration
- A waived application fee with code: FUTURECIA
- Guidance and support from a dedicated admissions counselor
Questions Are Welcome!
Whether you’re comparing programs, thinking about timing, or exploring how a CIA degree could fit into your life, the admissions team is here to help.