Culinary Institute of America vs. DeSales University

Should I go to Culinary Institute of America or DeSales University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Culinary Institute of America or DeSales University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Culinary Institute of America vs. DeSales University comparison
Culinary Institute of America DeSales University College 3 College 4
Culinary Institute of America DeSales University
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Overview

Culinary Institute of America DeSales University
Location Hyde Park, NY Center Valley, PA
Setting Large Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 3,124 2,991
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #262
Religious Affiliation - Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ciachef.edu desales.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Culinary Institute of America DeSales University
Tuition (In State) $33,850 $41,100
Tuition (Out of State) $33,850 $41,100
Room & Board $13,110 $13,500
Avg Net Price $33,499 $29,104
Avg Grant Aid $20,215 $27,824
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

Culinary Institute of America DeSales University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,887 3,662
Admitted 1,790 2,826
Acceptance Rate 94.9% 77.2%
Enrolled % 37.7% 18%
Avg High School GPA 3.26 3.39
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Average Challenging
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 20/27 23/29
SAT Range 980/1240 1100/1280
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

Culinary Institute of America DeSales University
Student to Faculty Ratio 20:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Personal and Culinary Services (78%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Business (29%)
  • Health Professions (19%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Biology (5%)
  • Communication (5%)

Outcomes

Culinary Institute of America DeSales University
Graduation Rate - 69%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,600 $51,100
Making Student Loan Payments 74% 71%
Median Student Loan Debt $15,000 $26,000
Median Loan Payment $155 $268

Diversity

Culinary Institute of America DeSales University
% Men 50% 34%
% Women 50% 66%
Racial Diversity High Low
HBCU No No
% White 52% 75%
% Black 5% 4%
% Hispanic 17% 12%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 12% 0%
% Unknown Race 3% 6%

Students

Culinary Institute of America DeSales University
% In-State 18% 66%
% Out-of-State 70% 34%

Campus

Culinary Institute of America DeSales University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Culinary Institute of America is larger than than DeSales University based on total student enrollment (3,124 students vs. 2,991 students)

Culinary Institute of America vs. DeSales University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Culinary Institute of America or DeSales University?

  • DeSales University is 21.4% more expensive to attend than Culinary Institute of America for in-state tuition ($41,100.00 vs. $33,850.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 21.4% higher at DeSales University than Culinary Institute of America ($41,100.00 vs. $33,850.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at DeSales University than Culinary Institute of America ($29,104 vs. $33,499)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Culinary Institute of America are 3% lower than costs at DeSales University ($13,110 vs. $13,500)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Culinary Institute of America as DeSales University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by DeSales University students is 37.6% larger than aid received Culinary Institute of America ($27,824 vs. $20,215)

Culinary Institute of America vs. DeSales University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Culinary Institute of America or DeSales University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between DeSales University or Culinary Institute of America .

  • Accepted freshman DeSales University students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at Culinary Institute of America (3.26)
  • Culinary Institute of America has a higher acceptance rate (94.9%) than DeSales University (77.2%)

Culinary Institute of America vs. DeSales University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Culinary Institute of America or DeSales University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between DeSales University and Culinary Institute of America.

  • Graduates from DeSales University earn on average $4,500 more per year than Culinary Institute of America graduates after ten years. ($51,100 vs. $46,600)
  • Culinary Institute of America students graduate with a $11,000 lower median federal student loan debt than DeSales University graduates. ($15,000 vs. $26,000)
  • Culinary Institute of America graduates are paying $113 less per month on federal student loans than DeSales University graduates. ($155 vs. $268)
  • More Culinary Institute of America graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former DeSales University students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 71%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/