Best Colleges for Nutrition Sciences

Nutrition Sciences graduates enter a growing field focused on the science of food, diet, and human health. With an average starting salary of $31,065, graduates often pursue careers as dietitians, food scientists, or health educators in hospitals, schools, and community health organizations.

When evaluating programs among the 38 schools offering this major, students should prioritize accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACAND), which is essential for becoming a registered dietitian. Look for programs with strong laboratory facilities, clinical partnerships, and internship opportunities that provide hands-on experience. Consider coursework that combines biochemistry, physiology, and food science with practical nutrition counseling skills to prepare for diverse career paths in this health-focused field.

Schools Ranked

$33,938

Avg. Program Earnings

66.0%

Avg. Graduation Rate

Top 25 Schools

College rankings
#	School	Median Earnings	Graduation Rate	School Type
1	University of Oklahoma-Health Sciences Center Oklahoma City, Oklahoma	$44,649		public
2	University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus Norman, Oklahoma	$44,649	75.3%	public
3	Russell Sage College Troy, New York	$39,153	65.7%	private-nonprofit
4	College of Saint Benedict Saint Joseph, Minnesota	$38,906	83.0%	private-nonprofit
5	North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, North Carolina	$36,992	84.6%	public
6	University of Vermont Burlington, Vermont	$36,488	78.6%	public
7	University of Cincinnati-Main Campus Cincinnati, Ohio	$35,416	71.5%	public
8	Central Washington University Ellensburg, Washington	$35,274	49.9%	public
9	University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis, Minnesota	$34,603	84.8%	public
10	University of the Incarnate Word San Antonio, Texas	$33,993	51.8%	private-nonprofit
11	Southern Illinois University-Carbondale Carbondale, Illinois	$33,281	56.3%	public
12	University of Hawaii at Manoa Honolulu, Hawaii	$32,925	62.6%	public
13	University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, Wisconsin	$32,925	89.3%	public
14	Metropolitan State University of Denver Denver, Colorado	$32,747	29.9%	public
15	University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, California	$32,569	92.9%	public
16	Michigan State University East Lansing, Michigan	$32,284	82.2%	public
17	University of New Hampshire-Main Campus Durham, New Hampshire	$31,423	76.4%	public
18	University of Nevada-Reno Reno, Nevada	$31,236	62.4%	public
19	Texas Woman's University Denton, Texas	$30,988	44.2%	public
20	University of Northern Colorado Greeley, Colorado	$30,409	51.3%	public
21	University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro, North Carolina	$29,882	57.9%	public
22	Bastyr University Kenmore, Washington	$29,685		private-nonprofit
23	University of Southern Indiana Evansville, Indiana	$29,685	52.0%	public
24	University of Connecticut-Avery Point Groton, Connecticut	$29,141	56.7%	public
25	University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus Waterbury, Connecticut	$29,141	59.5%	public