Culinary Institute of America
- Private
- Arts
Culinary Institute of America: international tuition 39,850 USD per year, one-year total cost 58,790 USD, acceptance rate 91.2%. Merit scholarships are open to international students. Published minimum English scores: IELTS 6, TOEFL iBT 4, Duolingo 115.
International students are automatically considered for a GPA-based Merit Award of up to $3,000 per year and may get the $1,000 Alumni Referral. Need-based aid for international students is not stated.
Getting in. The school admits 91.2% of applicants. Admitted students scored around Reading and Writing 478–600, Math 450–583, ACT 17–23. The SAT and ACT are optional: a score counts if you send one, and you can still apply without it. For English, the school asks for IELTS 6+, TOEFL iBT 4+ or Duolingo 115+. If the English score is not there yet, the school can still admit conditionally.
Cost for a year. One year comes to 58,790 USD, before any scholarship. 4 scholarships are confirmed for international students, but nothing is taken off yet because the amount of each one is not clear.
Deadline and visa. The application deadline is 15/9. You apply through Common App. How long the visa takes is up to the consulate; see the country note.
Admissions checked 12/10/2026
What is the tuition at Culinary Institute of America?
International tuition is 39,850 USD per year. The total cost for one year is 58,790 USD.
Does Culinary Institute of America offer scholarships for international students?
Merit scholarships are open to international students. International students are automatically considered for a GPA-based Merit Award of up to $3,000 per year and may get the $1,000 Alumni Referral. Need-based aid for international students is not stated.
What English scores does Culinary Institute of America require?
Published minimum English scores: IELTS 6, TOEFL iBT 4, Duolingo 115.
What is the acceptance rate at Culinary Institute of America?
The acceptance rate is 91.2%.
- Pay in fullYesPay in fullOnce admitted you can enrol straight away — no scholarship decision to wait for.Your family covers all tuition and living costs for every year of the degree.You will need: your application and proof that your family can pay — the school needs it to issue your visa documents.
- Aid with the offerYesAid with the offerThe school decides aid while reviewing your application, so any need-based or merit award arrives with the offer.If you are admitted, the offer comes with aid: the school either sets what your family pays based on finances, or takes a merit scholarship off the tuition.You will need: no separate scholarship essay — the school considers you for merit aid from your application.
- Apply separately for scholarshipsYesApply separately for scholarshipsOn top of the admission application, you send a separate scholarship application or get nominated.Win a scholarship and the cost drops; if not, you can still enrol and pay in full.You will need: a scholarship application (or nomination) by its own deadline, usually earlier than the admission deadline.
For Vietnamese students
Vietnamese community nearby
Students on campus lifeiPublic YouTube videos by students and the school, matched to this school's name; Vietnamese videos first. Each reflects its creator's own view.
- Miriam | Ideal Brand + Business Services2025Vlog
- Doodle the Travel Bug2024Campus tour
- The Culinary Institute of America2023Campus tour
Contact
Tuition and cost for a year
Compared with 727 private United States schools with published tuition in Duckling's data.
What a year costs
Non-resident tuition (College Scorecard); international students pay at least this, some schools add an international fee.
VND converted at Vietcombank's selling rate on 15/10/2026; indicative only — the real amount depends on the rate when you pay.
Scholarships and aid for international students
- Is merit considered automatically with the application?YesThe international page says international students are automatically considered for the GPA-based Merit Award with no separate application.
- Is admission need-blind for international applicants?UnclearNo page says whether admission decisions consider or ignore international applicants' ability to pay.
- Is the CSS Profile or a school aid form required?UnclearNo page mentions a CSS Profile or a separate international aid form; only the FAFSA for US citizens and proof of funds for the visa appear.
Scholarships at this school
Alumni Referral ScholarshipOtherOtherDoes not fit the groups above; see the scholarship page for conditions.Separate application requiredSchool page1,000 USD≈ ₫26.1M
The page explicitly includes international prospective students who submit an alumni letter.
- First year only
Deadline: Include letter with application for admission
CIA Alumni Referral ScholarshipOtherOtherDoes not fit the groups above; see the scholarship page for conditions.Considered automatically with the admission applicationSchool page1,000 USD≈ ₫26.1M
This scholarship explicitly says prospective applicants may be domestic or international.
- First year only
Earn & LearnOtherOtherDoes not fit the groups above; see the scholarship page for conditions.Application method unclearSchool page2,625 USD≈ ₫68.5M
Listed under scholarships for international students; renewal depends on available campus positions.
- Renewable in later years
Merit Award (international students)MeritMeritAwarded on achievement (grades, awards, activities), regardless of family finances.Considered automatically with the admission applicationSchool page3,000 USD/year≈ ₫78.2M
The international student page lists this award and says it is automatically considered based on GPA.
- Renewable in later years
$HEF scholarship platformIntl eligibility unclearThe school does not say whether international students can get this scholarship, so “Cost for a year” at the top does not subtract it. Ask the school before counting on it.OtherOtherDoes not fit the groups above; see the scholarship page for conditions.Separate application requiredSchool page
Each award varies, so students must check which are open to international students.
Deadline: Rotating about every three weeks
CIA Assistance GrantIntl eligibility unclearThe school does not say whether international students can get this scholarship, so “Cost for a year” at the top does not subtract it. Ask the school before counting on it.Need-basedNeed-basedAwarded on family financial circumstances, usually via the CSS Profile or the school's own form.Separate application requiredSchool page
Need is determined via FAFSA; the pages do not say whether international students qualify.
- Renewable in later years
Deadline: FAFSA priority deadline
CIA Assistance Grant (New York Campus)Intl eligibility unclearThe school does not say whether international students can get this scholarship, so “Cost for a year” at the top does not subtract it. Ask the school before counting on it.Need-basedNeed-basedAwarded on family financial circumstances, usually via the CSS Profile or the school's own form.Application method unclearSchool page
The grant requires financial need determined by FAFSA, but the page does not confirm international-student eligibility.
- Renewable in later years
CIA Excellence AwardIntl eligibility unclearThe school does not say whether international students can get this scholarship, so “Cost for a year” at the top does not subtract it. Ask the school before counting on it.MeritMeritAwarded on achievement (grades, awards, activities), regardless of family finances.Considered automatically with the admission applicationSchool page
The general scholarships page does not mention international students for this award; the international page lists only a $3,000 Merit Award, so unclear.
- Renewable in later years
CIA Excellence Award (New York Campus)Intl eligibility unclearThe school does not say whether international students can get this scholarship, so “Cost for a year” at the top does not subtract it. Ask the school before counting on it.MeritMeritAwarded on achievement (grades, awards, activities), regardless of family finances.Considered automatically with the admission applicationSchool page
The page calls this merit-based but does not state whether international students are eligible.
- Renewable in later years
Next Gen CIA ScholarshipIntl eligibility unclearThe school does not say whether international students can get this scholarship, so “Cost for a year” at the top does not subtract it. Ask the school before counting on it.MeritMeritAwarded on achievement (grades, awards, activities), regardless of family finances.Separate application requiredSchool page
Limited to the January 2026 New York class with winners already announced; no mention of international students.
- Renewable in later years
Deadline: Video due November 5
Admission requirements
Compared with 349 United States schools that publish an application fee in Duckling's data.
SAT / ACT of enrolled students
English
Application requirements
- High-school transcriptRequired
- EssaysRequired
- SATACTOptional
- English proficiencyRequired
- Proof of fundsiProof of at least $62,000 USD is needed for one undergraduate academic year.Required
- Supplementary applicationiA résumé may be requested by CIA or submitted voluntarily.Optional
How to apply
Minimum English scores vs other schools
Compared with 534 United States schools admitting 70%+ that publish it in Duckling's data.
Compared with 454 United States schools admitting 70%+ that publish it in Duckling's data.
DeadlinesFall 2027
- Early Action I application deadline (EA)Applicationin31days
- Early Action II application deadline (EA)Application+77 days
- Regular Decision application deadline (RD)Application+123 days
Credit for exams
AP general education exams need a 4 or higher for credit; AP math exams need a 3 or higher.
Scores that count12345CIA accepts IB exam results for credit if qualifying scores are met; the page does not state the specific score required.
AP credit by subject
Lowest score that earns credit or placement, as the college reported to College Board. This is not an admission requirement. One exam can have several rows: a higher score sometimes earns more credit. Policy page the college gave College Board
2 courses. Scroll inside the table to see all.
Programs
Outcomes
Staying in United States after graduation
OPT: 12 months of work in your field after each degree level; degrees on the DHS STEM list can extend by 24 months (up to 36 months in total). Unemployment during OPT is capped at 90 days (150 days with the STEM extension). Note: on 8 October 2026 DHS published a PROPOSED rule charging USD 70,000 for initial OPT and USD 30,000 for later OPT; it is not in force, and comments close on 9 November 2026.
Climate
School & campus
Where the school is
Detailed map
Academics & housing
Housing
Why this school is listed: accepts applications through the Common App.
Updated 12/10/2026How Duckling sources data