Culinary Arts/Chef Training at SOWELA Technical Community College in Lake Charles, LA

Personal & Culinary Services CERTIFICATE CIP 12.0503

Total Graduates

Class of 2025

Male Graduates

44%

39 of 89

Female Graduates

56%

50 of 89

Annual Tuition & Fees

$4,305

In-state, incl. fees

How to read these numbers

Total Graduates counts the students who completed the Culinary Arts/Chef Training. credential during the 2025 academic year, not those currently enrolled or applied. Programs in this range tend to be steady and well-resourced, though small enough that the entering class size can vary noticeably year to year. The gender split is based on completers in this single award year and can shift meaningfully year to year — especially in smaller cohorts — so read the percentages as a recent snapshot rather than a fixed property of the program. The $4,305 figure is the published annual tuition and required fees — what the school officially charges before financial aid. Most students pay less once federal Pell grants, state aid, and institutional scholarships are applied, so treat this as a starting point rather than an expected out-of-pocket cost. Because every accredited college reports the same fields to IPEDS each year, you can compare SOWELA Technical Community College's figures against similar programs at other schools on a like-for-like basis.

Program Overview

Program Details

Program Name Culinary Arts/Chef Training.

Degree Level CERTIFICATE

CIP Code 12.0503

Program Family Personal & Culinary Services

Recent Outcomes

Total Completions 89 graduates

Award Year 2025

Gender Distribution 44% male, 56% female

Career Outcomes for Graduates

Primary Career Path

🎯

Chefs and Head Cooks

Average Starting Salary

$60,990

10-Year Job Growth

+7.1%

Career Readiness Score

70/100

100% Program Match

Related Career Paths

Career Title	Starting Salary	Growth Rate	Skill Match	Mapping
Chefs and Head Cooks SOC: 35-1011	$48,792	+7.1%	75%	primary100% confidence
Cooks, All Other SOC: 35-2019	$28,968	+5.5%	0%	primary100% confidence
Cooks, Private Household SOC: 35-2013	$35,624	+5.1%	0%	primary100% confidence
Cooks, Restaurant SOC: 35-2014	$29,464	+14.9%	0%	primary100% confidence
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers SOC: 35-1012	$33,608	+6%	75%	primary100% confidence

Salary Progression

Starting Salary

$45,743

Peak Salary

$76,238

Total Growth

+67%

Skills You'll Gain

✓ Skills Covered in Program (10)

● Coordination

● Monitoring

● Speaking

● Management of Personnel Resources

● Social Perceptiveness

● Time Management

● Service Orientation

● Critical Thinking

● Instructing

● Active Listening

ℹ Career Preparation

This program covers the essential skills needed for your target career.

Career Readiness Assessment

Technical Skills Alignment

75%

Education Level Match

85%

Note: Career outcomes and salary data are based on national averages and industry projections. Actual results may vary based on location, experience, and individual circumstances.

Want to learn more about working as a Chefs and Head Cooks — day-to-day work, job outlook, and salary details?

Institution

School Name SOWELA Technical Community College

Location Lake Charles, LA

Cost Information

In-State Tuition and Fees $4,305

Out-of-State Tuition and Fees $4,305

Average Net Price $8,814

Take Action

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Program Information

CIP Code: 12.0503

CIP Family: 12

IPEDS ID: