Culinary Institute of America Admission Requirements
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Culinary Institute of America Admission Overview
Culinary Institute of America admission requirements are summarized from last year's class. Last year Culinary Institute of America admitted 91.1% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.26 GPA (B+) and SAT 928-1183 / ACT 17-23. Culinary Institute of America is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Culinary Institute of America is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.
Culinary Institute of America Acceptance Rate
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance rate Share of applicants offered admission last year.
Admission Standards Measure of enrolled testers' SAT/ACT scores vs. other colleges.
Applicant Competition Measure of this school's acceptance rate vs. other colleges. A low acceptance rate indicates high competition.
Very Low
Admission difficulty for Culinary Institute of America
Acceptance Rate
The Culinary Institute of America acceptance rate is 91.1%. Last year, 2,059 of 2,259 applicants were admitted. That is the 130th lowest acceptance rate in New York.
Admission Selectivity
How hard is it to get into Culinary Institute of America and can you get accepted?
Culinary Institute of America is an easy school to get into, admitting most applicants. You have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.
Culinary Institute of America typically attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.26. 31% of those admitted chose to enroll.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Culinary Institute of America GPA
GPA of enrolled freshmen
Avg. High School GPA The average high school GPA for incoming freshmen on a 4.0 scale.
3.26Typical High School Grades Letter grade on a 4.0 scale for last year's average, not a cutoff.
B+Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.26
Average GPA
Enrolled freshmen at Culinary Institute of America typically have around a 3.26 GPA (B+) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have above average high school grades. Culinary Institute of America is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.
The school ranks #79 in New York for highest average GPA.
See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.3 GPA range.
Competitiveness by GPA Ranges
Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.
GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024
Culinary Institute of America SAT Scores
SAT scores of enrolled freshmen
SAT Range The middle 50% of enrolled testers who sent SAT. The maximum score is 1600.
928-1183Freshmen who sent SAT Share of enrolled freshmen who submitted SAT scores. This is enrolled testers, not all applicants.
10%25th Percentile Scores
- Reading 478
- Math 450
- Composite 928
75th Percentile Scores
- Reading 600
- Math 583
- Composite 1183
Average SAT
Enrolled testers at Culinary Institute of America typically score around a 1060 SAT (middle 50% 928–1183) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 51st percentile nationally. Culinary Institute of America ranks #97 in the state of New York for highest average SAT composite score.
SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 928 to 1183
SAT policy
Culinary Institute of America is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.
View other colleges which accept students in the 1060 SAT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Culinary Institute of America ACT Scores
ACT scores among enrolled freshmen
ACT Range Mid-50 ACT composite among enrolled testers who sent ACT. The scale tops out at 36.
17-23Freshmen reporting ACT Percent of enrolled freshmen who reported ACT. Counts enrolled testers, not the full applicant pool.
5%25th Percentile Scores
- English 14
- Math 16
- Composite 17
75th Percentile Scores
- English 23
- Math 23
- Composite 23
Average ACT
Incoming testers at Culinary Institute of America typically have around a 20 ACT (mid-50 17–23) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 51st percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Culinary Institute of America places #75 among colleges in New York for highest average ACT composite.
ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 17 to 23
ACT policy
You may apply to Culinary Institute of America without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.
See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 20.0 ACT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Estimate How You Compare
See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.
Open the Culinary Institute of America chances calculatorApplying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to Culinary Institute of America and what student information is used for admission decisions?
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to Culinary Institute of America is $50.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Credits Accepted
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Admission summary
Culinary Institute of America is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 91.1% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.26 GPA (about an B+ average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (928-1183); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to Culinary Institute of America often consider these colleges
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Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=190503.
GPA calculator: Culinary Institute of America GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026