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Best Value Nutrition Sciences Colleges

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

The University of Oklahoma Norman Campus stands out among nutrition sciences programs with graduates earning $44,649 annually, nearly $15,000 more than the next highest program. This earnings gap reflects the strong food industry presence across Oklahoma and Texas, where major agricultural processors and research facilities create high-paying opportunities for nutrition professionals. Most programs cluster between $28,000-$33,000 in graduate earnings, making Oklahoma's premium particularly notable. The University of Connecticut system dominates affordable options with four campuses offering identical $29,141 earning potential at net costs ranging from $8,896 to $14,059. Public universities control this market entirely, with net costs spanning from under $9,000 to just over $20,000. North Carolina State achieves an impressive 84.6% graduation rate while maintaining reasonable costs, though its 47.17% acceptance rate makes it the most selective option. The nutrition sciences field benefits from growing demand in clinical settings, food manufacturing, and public health agencies across these regions.
50
Programs
$4,503 – $38,909
Net Price Range
$30,727
Avg. Program Earnings
63.8%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Nutrition Sciences Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $8,896 $29,141 $17,462 59.5% 97.9%
2 $10,170 $29,882 $7,593 57.9% 91.9%
3 $10,011 $28,753 $9,142 50.1% 85.3%
4 $10,948 $30,988 $8,648 44.2% 93.6%
5 $17,413 $44,649 $9,595 75.3% 72.9%
6 $11,504 $29,141 $17,462 56.7% 97.4%
7 $13,181 $32,925 $12,186 62.6% 72.8%
8 $14,715 $35,274 $9,192 49.9% 93.5%
9 $12,621 $29,685 $10,136 52.0% 94.4%
10 $14,294 $32,747 $10,780 29.9% 97.9%
11 $16,931 $36,992 $8,895 84.6% 47.2%
12 $13,339 $29,141 $17,452 65.4% 97.3%
13 $14,979 $32,569 $14,850 92.9% 11.3%
14 $14,059 $29,141 $17,472 56.9% 92.2%
15 $16,177 $33,281 $13,244 56.3% 91.5%
16 $15,402 $31,236 $8,994 62.4% 85.6%
17 $17,139 $34,603 $16,488 84.8% 74.9%
18 $16,928 $32,925 $11,205 89.3% 49.1%
19 $15,288 $28,697 $15,247 85.1% 37.3%
20 $20,860 $36,488 $18,890 78.6% 59.8%
21 $23,027 $39,153 $36,756 65.7% 73.6%
22 $20,498 $33,993 $35,660 51.8% 94.2%
23 $18,457 $30,409 $12,010 51.3% 78.5%
24 $15,960 $25,615 $13,626 65.9% 86.8%
25 $20,751 $32,284 $15,988 82.2% 88.0%
26 $23,156 $35,416 $13,570 71.5% 86.2%
27 $13,816 $20,140 $11,180 87.2% 42.6%
28 $20,015 $28,236 $11,954 71.0% 75.7%
29 $28,065 $38,906 $53,884 83.0% 87.8%
30 $23,261 $31,423 $19,112 76.4% 87.0%
31 $22,886 $29,141 $20,366 83.8% 54.5%
32 $14,487 $17,162 $6,496 82.2% 66.7%
33 $18,109 $21,234 $13,484 73.5% 68.4%
34 $23,519 $27,048 $17,239 85.0% 66.3%
35 $23,897 $21,964 $12,536 79.2% 43.7%
36 $32,337 $25,774 $66,014 95.1% 7.5%
37 $6,480 $6,980 54.8% 95.4%
38 $4,503 $6,178 20.0%
39 $29,694 $57,016 70.8% 67.2%
40 $38,428 $60,663 77.1% 79.6%
41 $21,994 $28,910 60.6% 71.8%
42 $14,838 $8,064 63.6% 95.0%
43 $18,990 $8,522 37.5% 69.9%
44 $38,909 $64,671 87.0% 27.4%
45 $6,483 $6,178 12.1%
46 $18,292 $12,859 87.7% 52.7%
47 $5,328 $6,178 19.3%
48 $6,133 $6,178 13.7%
49 $20,413 $13,746 66.4% 86.5%
50 $5,971 $6,178 17.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Oklahoma's nutrition sciences program worth the higher cost?

The University of Oklahoma Norman Campus charges $17,413 net but delivers $44,649 in graduate earnings, creating a strong return on investment. Oklahoma's agricultural economy and food processing industry provide premium career paths that other regions cannot match. The program also maintains a solid 75.3% graduation rate, indicating strong student support and program quality.

How do University of Connecticut campuses compare for nutrition sciences value?

All four UConn campuses produce identical $29,141 graduate earnings but vary significantly in cost and selectivity. Waterbury offers the best value at $8,896 net cost with 97.91% acceptance, while Hartford costs $13,339 but achieves a higher 65.4% graduation rate. Stamford and Avery Point fall between these extremes, giving students multiple pathways to the same career outcomes.

Is UC Berkeley worth considering despite its 11.33% acceptance rate?

Berkeley's extremely selective admission creates a major barrier, but the program delivers solid value for accepted students. Graduate earnings of $32,569 combined with low debt of $14,177 and an strong 92.9% graduation rate justify the competitive entry. The California job market for nutrition professionals in tech companies and research institutions supports these outcomes.

Does geographic location significantly impact nutrition sciences earnings?

Regional differences appear substantial, with Oklahoma leading at $44,649 while several programs cluster around $29,000-$30,000. Western states like Nevada and Hawaii show moderate earnings of $28,753 and $32,925 respectively. The data suggests that agricultural regions and areas with major food industry presence offer better compensation for nutrition professionals.

Where can students find the lowest debt loads for nutrition sciences degrees?

UC Berkeley graduates carry just $14,177 in debt, the lowest among programs with available data. University of Nevada Las Vegas follows at $16,442, while Metropolitan State University of Denver reports $19,800. These low debt figures combined with reasonable earnings create favorable financial outcomes for graduates in these programs.

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