Culinary Institute of America vs. LGCNHS

Comparable Facts

Compare Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY with Saint Joseph's University Lancaster in Lancaster, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Culinary Institute of America is larger than LGCNHS based on total student enrollment (3,147 students vs. 1,439 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Culinary Institute of America is located in Hyde Park, NY (Large Suburban setting); Saint Joseph's University Lancaster is in Lancaster, PA (Small City setting).
• Culinary Institute of America is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Saint Joseph's University Lancaster is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Culinary Institute of America 18:1; Saint Joseph's University Lancaster 11:1.

Culinary Institute of America vs. LGCNHS Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Culinary Institute of America or LGCNHS? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Saint Joseph's University Lancaster than Culinary Institute of America ($38,730 vs. $39,581).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Culinary Institute of America are 7.5% lower than at Saint Joseph's University Lancaster ($15,030 vs. $16,240).
• Culinary Institute of America is 21% more expensive for in-state tuition than LGCNHS (about $6,917 more per year; $39,850.00 vs. $32,933.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21% higher at Culinary Institute of America than at Saint Joseph's University Lancaster (about $6,917 more per year; $39,850.00 vs. $32,933.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Culinary Institute of America than at Saint Joseph's University Lancaster (99% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Culinary Institute of America students is 144.3% larger than aid received by Saint Joseph's University Lancaster students ($19,350 vs. $7,920).

Culinary Institute of America vs. LGCNHS Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Culinary Institute of America or LGCNHS? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between LGCNHS and Culinary Institute of America.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Saint Joseph's University Lancaster (1140) is 80 points higher than at Culinary Institute of America (1060).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Culinary Institute of America 928/1183; Saint Joseph's University Lancaster 1050/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Culinary Institute of America 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Culinary Institute of America - Test optional; LGCNHS - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: LGCNHS Feb 1, 2027.
• Culinary Institute of America has a higher acceptance rate (91.1%) than LGCNHS (41.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31% at Culinary Institute of America vs. 40.8% at LGCNHS.

Culinary Institute of America vs. LGCNHS Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Culinary Institute of America and LGCNHS? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Saint Joseph's University Lancaster earn a median of about $4,700 more per year than Culinary Institute of America graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,300 vs. $46,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Culinary Institute of America graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than LGCNHS graduates ($15,000 vs. $18,500).
• Among borrowers, Culinary Institute of America graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than LGCNHS graduates ($155 vs. $191).
• More Culinary Institute of America graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former LGCNHS students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 70%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.