Cheapest Food Science and Technology Colleges

Cal State LA offers food science students an extraordinary deal at just $4,113 annually after aid, making it the most affordable program in this field nationwide. The cost gap between the cheapest and most expensive options spans over $10,000, with private institutions like Brigham Young University-Idaho surprising many by undercutting most public universities at $7,131. California dominates the affordable end with three schools in the top ten, reflecting the state's massive food processing industry that employs over 500,000 workers from Central Valley agriculture to Silicon Valley food tech startups. Graduation rates vary dramatically across these budget-friendly programs, from College of Southern Idaho's 35.1% to University of Florida's impressive 91.5%. Earnings potential ranges from $23,456 to $48,667, with Cal Poly Pomona graduates commanding the highest salaries despite the program's reasonable $11,580 net cost.

Programs

$4,113 – $18,219

Net Price Range

$41,560

Avg. Program Earnings

64.1%

Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Food Science and Technology Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	California State University-Los Angeles Los Angeles, California	$4,113	$6,813	52.6%	86.9%
2	University of Florida Gainesville, Florida	$6,351	$6,381	91.5%	23.4%
3	California State University-Fresno Fresno, California	$6,480	$6,980	54.8%	95.4%
4	New Mexico State University-Main Campus Las Cruces, New Mexico	$6,747	$8,147	52.2%	78.1%
5	College of Southern Idaho Twin Falls, Idaho	$7,005	$3,360	35.1%
6	Brigham Young University-Idaho Rexburg, Idaho	$7,131	$4,656	55.1%	95.6%
7	East Central University Ada, Oklahoma	$9,287	$8,032	32.7%	70.1%
8	California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Pomona, California	$11,580	$7,439	66.7%	55.4%
9	Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, Tennessee	$12,599	$9,506	54.0%	72.5%
10	Utah State University Logan, Utah	$12,869	$9,228	57.3%	93.7%
11	University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, Washington	$13,485	$12,643	83.7%	47.5%
12	San Jose State University San Jose, California	$13,741	$7,992	64.7%	76.7%
13	University of Idaho Moscow, Idaho	$13,782	$8,816	60.9%	73.9%
14	University of Georgia Athens, Georgia	$13,816	$11,180	87.2%	42.6%
15	Purdue University-Main Campus West Lafayette, Indiana	$13,945	$9,992	83.1%	52.7%
16	Washington State University Pullman, Washington	$14,401	$12,997	61.6%	83.1%
17	Brigham Young University Provo, Utah	$14,487	$6,496	82.2%	66.7%
18	Alabama A & M University Normal, Alabama	$14,559	$10,024	28.7%	68.4%
19	Bay Path University Longmeadow, Massachusetts	$14,590	$37,227	56.9%	75.6%
20	University of Wisconsin-River Falls River Falls, Wisconsin	$14,714	$8,606	60.9%	84.5%
21	University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign, Illinois	$15,201	$16,004	84.9%	44.8%
22	University of California-Davis Davis, California	$15,288	$15,247	85.1%	37.3%
23	Mississippi State University Mississippi State, Mississippi	$15,501	$9,815	62.9%	75.2%
24	University of Maryland-College Park College Park, Maryland	$15,590	$11,505	88.6%	44.6%
25	California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, California	$15,624	$11,075	85.2%	30.4%
26	Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University Tallahassee, Florida	$15,847	$5,785	51.9%	32.9%
27	University of Arizona Tucson, Arizona	$15,960	$13,626	65.9%	86.8%
28	Southern Illinois University-Carbondale Carbondale, Illinois	$16,177	$13,244	56.3%	91.5%
29	North Dakota State University-Main Campus Fargo, North Dakota	$16,334	$10,857	63.7%	95.7%
30	Oklahoma State University-Main Campus Stillwater, Oklahoma	$16,378	$10,234	65.9%	70.6%
31	Southern Oregon University Ashland, Oregon	$16,470	$12,093	44.2%	88.0%
32	Appalachian State University Boone, North Carolina	$16,487	$7,541	73.1%	83.1%
33	Framingham State University Framingham, Massachusetts	$16,698	$11,630	49.5%	87.4%
34	University of Holy Cross New Orleans, Louisiana	$16,780	$16,160	35.8%	87.4%
35	University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, Wisconsin	$16,928	$11,205	89.3%	49.1%
36	University of Delaware Newark, Delaware	$16,931	$16,080	78.8%	73.8%
37	North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, North Carolina	$16,931	$8,895	84.6%	47.2%
38	Eastern Michigan University Ypsilanti, Michigan	$17,084	$15,510	45.5%	83.2%
39	University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis, Minnesota	$17,139	$16,488	84.8%	74.9%
40	University of Kentucky Lexington, Kentucky	$17,218	$13,212	69.9%	94.9%
41	University of Wisconsin-Stout Menomonie, Wisconsin	$17,365	$10,142	52.5%	86.3%
42	University of Nebraska-Lincoln Lincoln, Nebraska	$17,424	$10,108	65.8%	78.6%
43	University of Arkansas Fayetteville, Arkansas	$17,525	$9,748	70.0%	78.9%
44	Oregon State University-Cascades Campus Bend, Oregon	$17,722	$12,594	51.2%	79.0%
45	Kansas State University Manhattan, Kansas	$17,883	$10,942	70.5%	95.1%
46	SUNY College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill Cobleskill, New York	$17,980	$8,676	40.9%	84.0%
47	University of Maine Orono, Maine	$18,045	$12,606	56.4%	94.0%
48	The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Knoxville, Tennessee	$18,109	$13,484	73.5%	68.4%
49	Iowa State University Ames, Iowa	$18,165	$10,497	75.5%	90.2%
50	South Dakota State University Brookings, South Dakota	$18,219	$9,299	59.6%	86.1%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Cal State LA's $4,113 food science program so affordable?

Cal State LA achieves this low cost through substantial state funding and financial aid packages that reduce the sticker price by over $2,700. The university serves a high-need student population, qualifying many for maximum federal and state grants. Despite the low cost, the program maintains decent outcomes with a 52.6% graduation rate and access to Los Angeles' extensive food industry network.

How do graduation rates correlate with program costs in food science?

The data reveals no clear pattern between cost and graduation success. University of Florida charges $6,351 but achieves a 91.5% graduation rate, while College of Southern Idaho costs $7,005 yet graduates only 35.1% of students. Cal Poly Pomona at $11,580 produces both high graduation rates at 66.7% and the strongest earning potential at $48,667 annually.

Where do food science graduates earn the most relative to program cost?

Cal Poly Pomona offers the best return on investment, with graduates earning $48,667 while paying just $11,580 annually. University of Georgia graduates earn $42,682 for a $13,816 investment, showing strong value. These California and southeastern programs benefit from proximity to major food processing facilities and agricultural research centers that drive higher starting salaries.

Is attending a private food science program worth the extra cost?

Brigham Young University-Idaho challenges this assumption by charging only $7,131, less than most public options on this list. The school achieves a 55.1% graduation rate while maintaining lower debt levels through church subsidies. However, most students will find better value at public institutions that offer similar outcomes at comparable or lower costs.

Does geographic location affect food science program affordability?

Western states dominate the most affordable options, with California, Idaho, and Utah schools filling six of the top ten spots. These states benefit from large agricultural economies that support public funding for food science education. The Southeast offers competitive middle-tier options, while no northeastern schools appear in the most affordable category due to higher regional costs.

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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.