I’m thinking of going to one next year that doesn’t require too high of GPA, or too much experience in any kitchen.
You’re smart to be searching for a more affordable education path! The county vo-tech school or community college should be a lot more affordable than those private $$ for-profit tech schools (such as the ‘art institute’). For accredited programs in culinary arts: http://www.acfchefs.org and can look under ‘schools’ or such.
For general career info: http://www.bls.gov/oco and can search ‘chefs, cooks, and food preparation workers’ or such.
This site has posts about the ‘art institute’ and others private for-profit schools: http://www.ripoffreport.com and can search.
US colleges: http://www.utexas.edu/world/univ