Culinary Institute of America vs. SU

Comparable Facts

Compare Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY with Shenandoah University in Winchester, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Shenandoah University is larger than Culinary Institute of America based on total student enrollment (4,454 students vs. 3,147 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Culinary Institute of America is located in Hyde Park, NY (Large Suburban setting); Shenandoah University is in Winchester, VA (Small City setting).
• Culinary Institute of America is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Shenandoah University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Culinary Institute of America 18:1; Shenandoah University 12:1.

Culinary Institute of America vs. SU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Culinary Institute of America or SU? 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 Shenandoah University than Culinary Institute of America ($27,181 vs. $39,581).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shenandoah University are 16.9% lower than at Culinary Institute of America ($12,490 vs. $15,030).
• Culinary Institute of America is 7.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than SU (about $2,900 more per year; $39,850.00 vs. $36,950.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.8% higher at Culinary Institute of America than at Shenandoah University (about $2,900 more per year; $39,850.00 vs. $36,950.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Shenandoah University than at Culinary Institute of America (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Shenandoah University students is 27.9% larger than aid received by Culinary Institute of America students ($24,747 vs. $19,350).

Culinary Institute of America vs. SU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Culinary Institute of America or SU? 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 SU and Culinary Institute of America.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Shenandoah University (1120) is 60 points higher than at Culinary Institute of America (1060).
• Incoming SU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 20 at Culinary Institute of America).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Culinary Institute of America 928/1183; Shenandoah University 1010/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Culinary Institute of America 17/23; Shenandoah University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Culinary Institute of America - Test optional; SU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: SU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SU students have a 0.44 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Culinary Institute of America (3.26).
• Culinary Institute of America has a higher acceptance rate (91.1%) than SU (77%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31% at Culinary Institute of America vs. 16.7% at SU.

Culinary Institute of America vs. SU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Culinary Institute of America and SU? 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 Shenandoah University earn a median of about $1,700 more per year than Culinary Institute of America graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $46,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Culinary Institute of America graduates have a $10,000 lower median loan debt than SU graduates ($15,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Culinary Institute of America graduates have an estimated $103 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SU graduates ($155 vs. $258).
• More Culinary Institute of America graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SU students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 60%)

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.