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Ohio's 15 dietetics and clinical nutrition programs reveal stark contrasts in both cost and career outcomes. While Ohio University's regional campuses offer net prices as low as $4,503, graduates from Ohio State University-Main Campus earn $44,276 annually, nearly double the $25,824 earned by Bowling Green State graduates. The state's healthcare giants like Cleveland Clinic and Ohio State Wexner Medical Center create steady demand for nutrition professionals, particularly in clinical settings where registered dietitians guide patient care plans. Public universities dominate the affordable options, with eight schools charging under $21,000 net price annually. However, graduation rates vary dramatically across the system, from just 12.1% at Ohio University-Chillicothe to 87.7% at Ohio State's main campus, suggesting that program structure and student support services significantly impact completion rates in this health science field.
15
Programs
$4,503 – $31,236
Net Price Range
$31,963
Avg. Program Earnings
50.8%
Avg. Graduation Rate

15 Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $11,877 $29,685 $10,791 52.9% 80.6%
2 $18,292 $44,276 $12,859 87.7% 52.7%
3 $14,981 $34,704 $12,799 48.2% 82.9%
4 $19,614 $26,519 $12,846 65.5% 88.0%
5 $20,918 $25,824 $14,081 62.8% 78.7%
6 $27,662 $30,771 $17,809 81.8% 87.9%
7 $21,994 $28,910 60.6% 71.8%
8 $23,156 $13,570 71.5% 86.2%
9 $31,236 $47,600 81.5% 74.1%
10 $4,503 $6,178 20.0%
11 $6,483 $6,178 12.1%
12 $5,328 $6,178 19.3%
13 $6,133 $6,178 13.7%
14 $20,413 $13,746 66.4% 86.5%
15 $5,971 $6,178 17.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the massive earnings gap between Ohio dietetics programs?

Ohio State University graduates earn $44,276 annually while Bowling Green State graduates earn $25,824, a difference of nearly $18,500 per year. This gap reflects program quality, clinical training partnerships, and geographic job markets. Ohio State's connections to major medical centers and research facilities provide graduates access to higher-paying hospital and research positions compared to community-based nutrition roles.

How do Ohio University's regional campuses compare for affordability?

Ohio University's five regional campuses offer remarkably low net prices, ranging from $4,503 at the Eastern campus to $6,483 at Chillicothe. However, graduation rates at these campuses range from just 12.1% to 20%, significantly lower than the main Athens campus at 66.4%. Students save money upfront but face greater completion challenges at the regional locations.

Is debt load manageable for Ohio dietetics graduates?

Most Ohio programs maintain reasonable debt levels, with 10 schools reporting average debt under $28,000. Ohio State graduates carry the lowest debt at $20,500 despite strong earning potential of $44,276. Miami University combines moderate debt of $21,670 with solid earnings of $30,771, creating favorable debt-to-income ratios for graduates entering the nutrition field.

Does program type affect graduation rates in Ohio dietetics programs?

Public universities show wide graduation rate variation, from 12.1% at Ohio University-Chillicothe to 87.7% at Ohio State's main campus. Private programs like University of Dayton achieve 81.5% graduation rates but cost significantly more at $31,236 net price. Ashland University, another private option, graduates 60.6% of students at a more moderate $21,994 net cost.

Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.