Info FOr:
High School Sophomores and Younger
Welcome to your new college!
Your Perfect Fit. Food is Your Future.
Psssst! The secret to college success is finding a school that truly fits you. When you make the right match, everything just falls into place. If food is your passion—cooking it, baking it, sharing it, watching videos about it—then CIA may be your perfect fit. Food is our life too! Our bachelor’s and associate degree programs can introduce you to so many different and exciting career paths, where the opportunities are as wide open as your dreams.
Connect with Us!
Ready to explore the world of food and hospitality? It’s never too soon to start learning more about CIA and where your future can lead. Let’s do this!
Experience CIA
Check out an informative walking tour or join us for a convenient online event. Our campus visits and virtual events are a great way to learn about the total CIA experience firsthand—from academic programs and residence halls to student life and hands-on classes.
Imagine an Amazing Career
Do you dream about becoming a professional chef or pastry chef? Opening your own restaurant? Good for you! Lots of CIA graduates have done exactly that. You can also become a baker, caterer, event planner, food writer, research chef, food media personality, beverage director, sustainability advocate, culinary instructor, food business owner…no matter what your interests, there’s a career path that’s just right for you.
Learn in Our Kitchens
So what’s the best way to prepare for your career in food and hospitality? Go to college at CIA! We’re all about hands-on learning in our kitchens and bakeshops; real-world learning in our restaurants, internships, and travel experiences; and food-focused learning when studying important subjects like management, science, history and cultures, and sustainability.
Benefits and Opportunities
Real-World Experience
Spend a full semester getting hands-on experience in our nine award-winning public service restaurants.
More Specialized, Hands-on Classes
Two Times the foundational skills and deeper dives into specializations than most colleges.
Built-in, Paid Internship
World-class paid internships at one of 2,000+ CIA-approved organizations.
Scholarships
CIA offers generous scholarships—and awarded over $40 million last year alone.
College Life with a Culinary Twist
Join a diverse, close-knit community where everyone speaks your language—food!
Custom-Fit Education
Choose from programs, electives, and travel experiences that fit your unique interests and goals.
Industry’s Best Career Fair
Nearly 475 food and hospitality companies visited CIA looking to hire in 2023—resulting in over 4,000 reported interviews with highly interested employers.
Unrivaled Network
The food world’s most powerful alumni network—50K+ strong—that not only hire CIA grads, but also help make the connections to advance careers.
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Chat With a High School Student
Are you curious about what it’s really like to attend CIA? We’ve got you covered. Our students are ready to answer the questions you haven’t asked anyone else, share their own personal experiences, and give you genuine advice—because they’ve gone through it, too.
CIA Campuses
Be part of a vibrant campus and close-knit community, where everyone speaks your language—food.
Discover all that CIA has to offer beyond the classroom with our full array of athletics, activities, student services, and delicious dining options. From open mic nights and interactive student groups to off-campus adventures and friendly campus cook-offs, we have countless ways to get involved and meet new people. Did we mention every dorm has a full-sized kitchen?
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