The Culinary Institute of America: what international applicants need

What are The Culinary Institute of America's application deadlines for 2026–27?

The Culinary Institute of America has 3 application deadlines for 2026–27: Early Action on November 15, 2026, Early Action II on December 31, 2026, and Regular Decision on February 15, 2027.

• Deadlines are usually 11:59 pm in your own time zone, unless the university says otherwise on its site.

What is The Culinary Institute of America's acceptance rate?

91.1% for students who started in fall 2024: The Culinary Institute of America admitted 2,059 of its 2,259 first-year applicants.

• The rate covers all first-year applicants, US and international: the federal data doesn't give a separate rate for international applicants.
• US Department of Education (IPEDS). Fall 2024 admissions (provisional release). Source

Does The Culinary Institute of America require the SAT or ACT for international applicants?

No. The Culinary Institute of America is test-optional for 2026–27: you decide whether to send SAT or ACT scores.

• This is the policy listed for all first-year applicants. Some universities treat international students differently, so confirm it on the testing page.
• For the Early Action deadline (November 15, 2026), the last international SAT whose scores come out in time is October 3, 2026: scores on October 16, 2026, registration by September 18, 2026 (late registration September 22, 2026).
• For the Regular Decision deadline (February 15, 2027), the last international SAT whose scores come out in time is December 5, 2026: scores on December 18, 2026, registration by November 20, 2026 (late registration November 24, 2026).
• Official score reports can take a few more days to reach universities.

What SAT score do you need for The Culinary Institute of America?

The middle half of first-year students who enrolled in fall 2024 and sent SAT scores had 450–583 in Math and 478–600 in Reading and Writing (10% of them sent SAT scores).

• On the ACT, the middle half had a composite of 17–23.
• If your score is above the middle of these ranges, it helps your application. At a test-optional university, a score below the lower number usually isn't worth sending.
• US Department of Education (IPEDS). Fall 2024 admissions (provisional release): 25th to 75th percentile of enrolled first-year students who submitted scores. Source

How much is The Culinary Institute of America's application fee for international students?

The Culinary Institute of America's application fee is $50 for international applicants, the same as for US applicants.

Does The Culinary Institute of America accept the Common App fee waiver from international students?

Yes. The Culinary Institute of America accepts the Common App fee waiver and doesn't limit it to US students.

• Your eligibility is confirmed through the Common App, usually with your counselor.

Which English tests does The Culinary Institute of America accept?

The Culinary Institute of America lists the TOEFL iBT, IELTS Academic, Duolingo English Test, and PTE Academic as accepted English proficiency tests for 2026–27.

• Minimum scores and exemptions (for example if you studied in English) are set by the university: check its international page.

Does The Culinary Institute of America accept the Duolingo English Test?

Yes. The Duolingo English Test is among the English tests The Culinary Institute of America accepts for 2026–27.

How many recommendation letters does The Culinary Institute of America require?

The Culinary Institute of America doesn't require recommendation letters on the Common App for 2026–27.

• Letters that aren't required can still be accepted: the university's site says whether it reads them.
• Whatever the letters, your school sends the School Report and, after graduation, the Final Report: the Common App says every university requires them.

Does The Culinary Institute of America require the Common App personal essay?

No. The Culinary Institute of America doesn't require the Common App personal essay for 2026–27, though you can still send it: the Common App lets you submit it to any university.

How many international students does The Culinary Institute of America have?

233 of The Culinary Institute of America's 3,011 undergraduates were international students (US nonresidents) in fall 2024: 7.7%.

• US Department of Education (IPEDS). Fall 2024 enrollment (provisional release). Source

How much does The Culinary Institute of America cost for international students?

The Culinary Institute of America's published tuition and fees for 2024–25 were $39,850, the same for every student. On-campus food and housing was $15,030. With books and other expenses, a year cost about $62,010 before any financial aid.

• US Department of Education (IPEDS). Published charges for 2024–25. Costs usually rise each year: check the university's site for 2027–28. Source