Culinary Institute of America vs. Niagara University

Should I go to Culinary Institute of America or Niagara University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Culinary Institute of America or Niagara 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. Niagara University comparison
Culinary Institute of America Niagara University College 3 College 4
Culinary Institute of America Niagara University
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Overview

Culinary Institute of America Niagara University
Location Hyde Park, NY Niagara University, NY
Setting Large Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 3,104 4,221
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #490
Religious Affiliation - Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ciachef.edu niagara.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Culinary Institute of America Niagara University
Tuition (In State) $35,520 $36,100
Tuition (Out of State) $35,520 $36,100
Room & Board $13,680 $12,980
Avg Net Price $36,015 $17,495
Avg Grant Aid $18,211 $31,682
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 100%

Admission

Culinary Institute of America Niagara University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,161 4,148
Admitted 1,983 3,540
Acceptance Rate 91.8% 85.3%
Enrolled % 34.3% 16.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.26 3.53
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Easy Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/25 23/27
SAT Range 970/1195 1030/1240
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 30, 2026

Academics

Culinary Institute of America Niagara University
Student to Faculty Ratio 19:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Personal and Culinary Services (78%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Education (35%)
  • Business (29%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Social Sciences (5%)
  • Biology (4%)

Outcomes

Culinary Institute of America Niagara University
Graduation Rate - 65%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,600 $43,100
Making Student Loan Payments 74% 72%
Median Student Loan Debt $15,000 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $155 $258

Diversity

Culinary Institute of America Niagara University
% Men 2% 11%
% Women 2% 24%
Racial Diversity High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 52% 68%
% Black 5% 5%
% Hispanic 17% 4%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 12% 13%
% Unknown Race 3% 5%

Students

Culinary Institute of America Niagara University
% In-State 18% 81%
% Out-of-State 70% 10%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Niagara University is larger than than Culinary Institute of America based on total student enrollment (4,221 students vs. 3,104 students)

Culinary Institute of America vs. Niagara University Cost Comparison

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

  • Niagara University is 1.6% more expensive to attend than Culinary Institute of America for in-state tuition ($36,100.00 vs. $35,520.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 1.6% higher at Niagara University than Culinary Institute of America ($36,100.00 vs. $35,520.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Niagara University than Culinary Institute of America ($17,495 vs. $36,015)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Niagara University are 5.4% lower than costs at Culinary Institute of America ($12,980 vs. $13,680)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Niagara University than Culinary Institute of America (100% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Niagara University students is 74% larger than aid received Culinary Institute of America ($31,682 vs. $18,211)

Culinary Institute of America vs. Niagara University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Niagara University students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at Culinary Institute of America (3.26)
  • Culinary Institute of America has a higher acceptance rate (91.8%) than Niagara University (85.3%)

Culinary Institute of America vs. Niagara University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Culinary Institute of America or Niagara 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 Niagara University and Culinary Institute of America.

  • Graduates from Culinary Institute of America earn on average $3,500 more per year than Niagara University graduates after ten years. ($46,600 vs. $43,100)
  • Culinary Institute of America students graduate with a $10,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Niagara University graduates. ($15,000 vs. $25,000)
  • Culinary Institute of America graduates are paying $103 less per month on federal student loans than Niagara University graduates. ($155 vs. $258)
  • More Culinary Institute of America graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Niagara University students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 72%)

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