Top 10 Schools to Become a Pastry Chef in 2024: A Complete Guide

Many professionals in the pastry arts industry gain essential baking and pastry skills through hands-on experience in entry-level roles at bakeries and restaurants. However, if you want to expedite the process, you can pursue formal education.

Having a degree or being a certified Pastry Chef enhances your credibility, leading to a higher salary and career advancement.

Below, we’ve compiled the top culinary schools in the United States that offer various baking and pastry arts programs, including bachelor, associate, diploma and certificate options. 

Best Culinary Schools To Become a Pastry Chef

The best culinary schools combine hands-on experience, theoretical knowledge and guidance from established Pastry Chefs. Here’s a table explaining the differences between them before we take a closer look at each one individually below.

School	Locations	Duration	Cost
Culinary Institute of America	New York, California, Texas	Less than two years	$19,945–$21,660
Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts	Colorado, Texas	Less than two years	$32,470*
Johnson & Wales University	Providence, Charlotte	Two years	$41,782 per academic year
Institute of Culinary Education	Los Angeles	Less than two years	$50,000
National Louis University – Kendall College	Chicago	Less than two years	$36,014
Valencia College	Florida	Two years	$6,000
Clover Park Technical College	Washington	Less than two years	$16,141-$30,195
Harper College	Illinois	Can be less than two years, depending on course load	$138 to $471
Pennsylvania College of Technology	Pennsylvania	Less than two years	$40,154
Monroe College	New York	Less than a year and a half	$32,688

We’ve included community colleges in this list that offer affordable tuition options, providing you with a broad range of choices depending on your resources, requirements and career goals.  

Please note that the prices provided are general estimates from the respective school websites. For more accurate fees, kindly contact the schools directly.

1. Culinary Institute of America

[Source: Culinary Institute of America]

• Program type: Associate
• Duration of program: Less than two years 
• Locations: New York, California, Texas
• Tuition and fees: $19,945–$21,660*

*Inclusive only of tuition, board/meal plan and general fees. Can significantly vary depending on the campus location

The Culinary Institute of America offers both associate and bachelor’s degree programs in Baking and Pastry Arts, preparing students for advanced roles in high-end restaurants and bakeries.

In the associate degree course, you’ll gain hands-on experience through the school’s paid internship program. You’ll learn how to create luxury pastries, such as artisan bread, confections and chocolates. 

Meanwhile, in the bachelor’s degree completion program, you can choose an elective concentrating on advanced skills, such as developing product concepts and designs and handling packaging and displays. 

Find out how to apply to the Culinary Institute of America

2. Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts

[Source: Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts]

• Program type: Associate
• Duration of program: Less than two years
• Locations: Colorado, Texas
• Tuition and fees: $32,470*

*Inclusive only of tuition, textbooks, tool kit, uniform, application fee and an optional non-refundable technology fee 

Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts offers both associate and diploma programs for aspiring Pastry Chefs. Those who need flexibility can choose to take either of these programs through online classes. 

Both the associate and diploma courses cover sanitation practices, baking science and nutrition. 

However, the associate degree program goes further, offering a more comprehensive education with additional coursework in technical writing, accounting and entrepreneurship. 

Find out how to apply to the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts

3. Johnson & Wales University

[Source: Johnson & Wales University]

• Program type: Associate
• Duration of program: Two years
• Locations: Providence, Charlotte
• Tuition and fees: $41,782 per academic year*

*Based on the generic fee for undergraduate programs at Johnson & Wales University

The associate degree program at Johnson & Wales University teaches how to master creating cakes, artisan bread and plated desserts. The course also covers menu development, cost control and the basics of business management. 

Similar to the Culinary Institute of America, Johnson & Wales University also offers a bachelor’s degree completion program that provides advanced classes. This allows you to explore other areas within the field of pastry arts, such as cake designing, viennoiserie and chocolaterie.

Find out how to apply to Johnson & Wales University

4. Institute of Culinary Education

[Source: Institute of Culinary Education]

• Program type: Associate
• Duration of program: Less than two years
• Location: Los Angeles
• Tuition and fees: $50,000*

*Inclusive of tuition, books and fees

The Institute of Culinary Education’s associate degree program in baking and pastry art teaches fundamental pastry and baking techniques, essential baking ingredients and the basics of nutrition. 

They also offer a module in restaurant and culinary management that covers menu pricing, business profitability and concept development. 

The associate degree at the Institute of Culinary Education typically lasts 14 months. If you’re looking for a shorter and more affordable option, you can choose their diploma program, which can be completed in 8 to 11 months and costs $39,000. 

The curriculum for the diploma course was developed by famous Pastry Chef and author Nick Malgieri and 2007 James Beard Foundation awardee Michael Laiskonis.

Find out how to apply to the Institute of Culinary Education

5. National Louis University – Kendall College

[Source: National Louis University – Kendall College]

• Program type: Associate
• Duration of program: Less than two years
• Location: Chicago
• Tuition and fees: $36,014*

*Excludes required individual course fees

Kendall College at National Louis University divides its baking and pastry arts curriculum into three main areas: foundational and advanced baking and pastry skills, business and management and nutrition and sanitation. 

In addition to covering the basics of bread making, the program includes modules such as purchasing, handling financial statements and human resources. It also addresses nutritional concepts and food industry trends, including food allergies and illnesses, digestion and common disorders and pest management. 

Kendall College also offers a certificate program specifically designed for those interested in starting a cake decorating business. It can be completed in nine months, with tuition costing $5,240, excluding required individual course fees. 

Find out how to apply to National Louis University – Kendall College

6. Valencia College

[Source: Valencia College]

• Program type: Associate
• Duration of program: Two years
• Location: Florida
• Tuition and fees: $6,000*

*Excludes application fees, special fees, books and supplies

Valencia College is a public institution that takes pride in offering fully equipped facilities to help aspiring Pastry Chefs become the best confectionery artists.

The college’s associate program provides industry knowledge, covering various businesses within the field, such as catering companies, food trucks and restaurants and how they operate. Understanding this helps you identify which type of establishment aligns best with your career goals. 

Aside from the associate degree program, Valencia College also offers several technical certifications, including Baking and Pastry Arts, Baking and Pastry Specialist and Pastry Chef’s Apprentice. 

These certifications can improve your qualifications in no time with the Pastry Chef’s Apprentice certificate only taking 12 credit hours. 

Find out how to apply to Valencia College

7. Clover Park Technical College

[Source: Clover Park Technical College]

• Program type: Associate
• Duration of program: Less than two years
• Location: Washington
• Tuition and fees: $16,141 for residents and $30,195 for non-residents*

*Costs are general estimates only

Clover Park Technical College is another public institution that offers an associate program in pastry arts. Its curriculum includes making basic pastries, developing customer service skills and learning effective cost control techniques.

The program also includes classes covering operations management, marketing and bookkeeping, providing comprehensive knowledge in managing all aspects of a pastry business.

Aside from the associate program, Clover Park Technical College also offers basic and advanced pastry arts certifications, each lasting 30 weeks. 

Find out how to apply to Clover Park Technical College

8. Harper College

[Source: Harper College]

• Program type: Certificate
• Duration of program: Can be less than two years, depending on course load
• Location: Illinois
• Tuition and fees: $138 to $471*

*Costs depend on residency status

Harper College’s Bread and Pastry Arts certificate is a 26-credit hour program that covers how to produce bread and pastries in larger quantities, an essential skill if you aspire to work in a commercial or large-scale bakery setting. It also includes cake decoration, food standards and sanitation and menu planning. 

This certification program also allows you to choose nine credit hours of electives, where you can learn more about dining room operations, purchasing and storage and wine, spirits and beverage management. 

Find out how to apply to Harper College

9. Pennsylvania College of Technology

[Source: Pennsylvania College of Technology]

• Program type: Associate
• Duration of program: Less than two years
• Location: Pennsylvania
• Tuition and fees: $40,154*

*Can significantly vary depending on dining and residency setups 

Pennsylvania College of Technology’s baking and pastry Arts program is accredited by the American Culinary Federation (ACF), the country’s premier organization for Chefs, established in 1929. 

The program covers how to create and decorate wedding cakes and pastries. In addition to technical skills, it also includes training in leadership and business management. 

This program is ideal for those aiming for entry to mid-level roles in specialty bakeries, restaurants and hotels. With a small class size of 20, you benefit from personalized instruction and guidance.

Find out how to apply to the Pennsylvania College of Technology

10. Monroe College

[Source: Monroe College]

• Program type: Associate
• Duration of program: Less than a year and a half
• Location: New York
• Tuition and fees: $32,688*

*Excluding administrative, housing and application fees

Monroe College’s Baking and Pastry Arts program offers aspiring Pastry Chefs hands-on experience in facilities that simulate real-world settings.

Mentors, who are all ACF-certified, will cover bakery science, knife and pastry bag skills. In the advanced modules, they’ll teach specialized baking principles, confectionery art and pastry techniques.

Finally, you’ll also gain business skills, including financial management and effective communication.

By the end of the program, all students will meet the requirements needed to secure the Certified Pastry Culinarian certification from the ACF.

Find out how to apply to Monroe College

Becoming a Pastry Chef Through Hands-On Experience

To become a Pastry Chef without attending culinary school, start by gaining hands-on experience in entry-level roles such as Pastry Assistant or Baker at local bakeries.

As a Pastry Assistant, you’ll be in charge of maintaining stock levels, helping with preparation and testing bread and pastries to ensure they’re cooked properly.

After gaining enough experience, you can advance and apply to be a Baker.

Bakers are responsible for creating breads, pastries, and pies, often working in close coordination with Line Cooks and Chefs in restaurant settings.

With deeper technical knowledge and skills, you can then apply for a Junior Pastry Chef position. 
As you demonstrate expertise and leadership skills, you’ll be ready to step into the role of Pastry Chef.