Culinary Institute of America Admission
Acceptance Rate
91.15%
Yield (Enrollment Rate)
30.99%
Freshmen Enrollment
638
SAT Scores
1,065
For the 2024-2025 admission, a total of 2,259 students have applied and 2,059 students have allowed to admit to Culinary Institute of America (Acceptance rate: 91.15%). CIA's yield, also known as enrollment rate, is 30.99 % where 638 students have finally enrolled out of 2,059 admitted students.
CIA acceptance rate is higher (easier to admit) compared to Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in New York. Compared to similar schools in rankings such as American Musical and Dramatic Academy and Five Towns College, its acceptance rate is much higher (very easy to get in) (the average acceptance rate of the schools is 44.06%).
CIA enrollment rate (yield) is lower (less admitted-students enrolled) compared to Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in New York. Compared to similar schools in rankings, its yield is much higher (highly eager to enroll) (average yield is 34.40%).
How to Apply to Culinary Institute of America
The following table summarizes the contact and directory information to apply CIA. CIA offers benefits for veterans, service member, or qualified family members. You may need to prepare certificate of eligibility (COE ) from the Veterans Affairs .
| Admission | www.ciachef.edu/cia-admissions/ |
|---|---|
| Online Application | https://ciachef.elluciancrmrecruit.com/apply |
| Financial Aid | https://www.ciachef.edu/cia-tuition-and-financial-aid/ |
| Net Price Calculator | https://ciachef.clearcostcalculator.com/student/default/netpricecalculator/survey |
| Veterans Tuition | https://www.ciachef.edu/cia-culinary-careers-for-veterans/ |
| Disability Service | https://catalog.ciachef.edu/student-handbook/undergraduate-and-graduate-catalog/disability-services |
Admission Statistics Charts
The following chart visualizes the admission statistics at CIA and compares to similar schools by type, level and location.
*Data Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
Test Scores Comparison
In 2025, the average SAT score at Culinary Institute of America is 1,065 and the average ACT score is 20. Compared to similar schools in college rankings, the admission score of Culinary Institute of America is comparable to the schools (average score is 1,280). You can check and compare the SAT and ACT scores by subject with tables and charts.
| SAT Average | ACT Average | |
|---|---|---|
| Culinary Institute of America | 1,065 | 20 |
| Similarly Colleges in Rankings | 1,280 | 29 |
| All U.S. Colleges | 1,123 | 68 |
| Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges | 1,132 | 69 |
| 4-Years Colleges | 1,124 | 68 |
| Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in New York | 1,206 | 77 |
SAT/ACT Scores by Subject
At Culinary Institute of America, 62 students submitted SAT scores (10% of enrolled students).
The average SAT score is about 1,065 and it is around average than average for Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in New York. The following table shows the SAT average scores by subject and 25th/75th percentile.
| 25th percentile | 50th percentile (Median) | 75th percentile | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evidence-Based Reading and Writing | 478 | 545 | 600 |
| Mathematics | 450 | 520 | 583 |
| Total | 928 | 1,065 | 1,183 |
*Data Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)(Last update: June 5, 2025)
At Culinary Institute of America, 29 students submitted ACT scores (5% of enrolled students).
The average ACT score is about 20 and it is lower than average for Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in New York. The next table shows the ACT average scores by subject and 25th/75th percentile.
| 25th percentile | 50th percentile (Median) | 75th percentile | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite | 17 | 20 | 23 |
| English | 14 | 19 | 23 |
| Mathematics | 16 | 19 | 23 |
CIA Admission Requirements
The following table summarizes the admission requirement to apply to Culinary Institute of America. The school requires 4 items to submit - Secondary school GPA, Secondary school record, Recommendations, and TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language).
5 items are Considered if submitted - Secondary school rank, Completion of college-preparatory program, Admission test scores, Personal statement or essay, and Legacy status.
| Secondary school GPA | Required |
| Secondary school rank | Considered, if submitted |
| Secondary school record | Required |
| Completion of college-preparatory program | Considered, if submitted |
| Recommendations | Required |
| Formal demonstration of competencies | Not Considered |
| Admission test scores | Considered, if submitted |
| TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) | Required |
| Work experience | Not Considered |
| Personal statement or essay | Considered, if submitted |
| Legacy status | Considered, if submitted |