50 Nutrition Sciences Programs
| # | 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 |
Ohio University-Eastern Campus
Saint Clairsville, Ohio
|
$4,503 | $6,178 | 20.0% | |
| 3 |
Ohio University-Southern Campus
Ironton, Ohio
|
$5,328 | $6,178 | 19.3% | |
| 4 |
California State University-San Bernardino
San Bernardino, California
|
$5,918 | $7,675 | 54.7% | 91.1% |
| 5 |
Ohio University-Zanesville Campus
Zanesville, Ohio
|
$5,971 | $6,178 | 17.7% | |
| 6 |
Ohio University-Lancaster Campus
Lancaster, Ohio
|
$6,133 | $6,178 | 13.7% | |
| 7 |
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida
|
$6,351 | $6,381 | 91.5% | 23.4% |
| 8 |
California State University-Fresno
Fresno, California
|
$6,480 | $6,980 | 54.8% | 95.4% |
| 9 |
Ohio University-Chillicothe Campus
Chillicothe, Ohio
|
$6,483 | $6,178 | 12.1% | |
| 10 |
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Edinburg, Texas
|
$6,500 | $9,859 | 49.3% | 87.7% |
| 11 |
Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Gurabo Campus
Gurabo, Puerto Rico
|
$7,668 | $6,920 | 30.2% | |
| 12 |
University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus
Waterbury, Connecticut
|
$8,896 | $17,462 | 59.5% | 97.9% |
| 13 |
California State University-Long Beach
Long Beach, California
|
$8,931 | $7,008 | 69.9% | 40.0% |
| 14 |
Farmingdale State College
Farmingdale, New York
|
$9,173 | $8,576 | 57.1% | 73.2% |
| 15 |
University of Nevada-Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada
|
$10,011 | $9,142 | 50.1% | 85.3% |
| 16 |
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Greensboro, North Carolina
|
$10,170 | $7,593 | 57.9% | 91.9% |
| 17 |
California State University-Sacramento
Sacramento, California
|
$10,512 | $7,602 | 55.8% | 93.2% |
| 18 |
Texas Woman's University
Denton, Texas
|
$10,948 | $8,648 | 44.2% | 93.6% |
| 19 |
McNeese State University
Lake Charles, Louisiana
|
$11,257 | $8,460 | 52.0% | 71.2% |
| 20 |
University of Connecticut-Avery Point
Groton, Connecticut
|
$11,504 | $17,462 | 56.7% | 97.4% |
| 21 |
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona
Pomona, California
|
$11,580 | $7,439 | 66.7% | 55.4% |
| 22 |
Shepherd University
Shepherdstown, West Virginia
|
$12,391 | $8,642 | 49.5% | 95.9% |
| 23 |
University of Southern Indiana
Evansville, Indiana
|
$12,621 | $10,136 | 52.0% | 94.4% |
| 24 |
Utah State University
Logan, Utah
|
$12,869 | $9,228 | 57.3% | 93.7% |
| 25 |
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, California
|
$12,882 | $7,424 | 50.1% | 94.2% |
| 26 |
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Honolulu, Hawaii
|
$13,181 | $12,186 | 62.6% | 72.8% |
| 27 |
University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus
Hartford, Connecticut
|
$13,339 | $17,452 | 65.4% | 97.3% |
| 28 |
University of Washington-Seattle Campus
Seattle, Washington
|
$13,485 | $12,643 | 83.7% | 47.5% |
| 29 |
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
Stevens Point, Wisconsin
|
$13,726 | $8,834 | 56.0% | 89.1% |
| 30 |
San Jose State University
San Jose, California
|
$13,741 | $7,992 | 64.7% | 76.7% |
| 31 |
University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia
|
$13,816 | $11,180 | 87.2% | 42.6% |
| 32 |
Purdue University-Main Campus
West Lafayette, Indiana
|
$13,945 | $9,992 | 83.1% | 52.7% |
| 33 |
University of Connecticut-Stamford
Stamford, Connecticut
|
$14,059 | $17,472 | 56.9% | 92.2% |
| 34 |
Montclair State University
Montclair, New Jersey
|
$14,159 | $14,766 | 64.3% | 91.3% |
| 35 |
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Denver, Colorado
|
$14,294 | $10,780 | 29.9% | 97.9% |
| 36 |
Brigham Young University
Provo, Utah
|
$14,487 | $6,496 | 82.2% | 66.7% |
| 37 |
University of the District of Columbia
Washington, District of Columbia
|
$14,693 | $6,152 | 26.3% | |
| 38 |
Central Washington University
Ellensburg, Washington
|
$14,715 | $9,192 | 49.9% | 93.5% |
| 39 |
California State University-Chico
Chico, California
|
$14,838 | $8,064 | 63.6% | 95.0% |
| 40 |
University of California-Berkeley
Berkeley, California
|
$14,979 | $14,850 | 92.9% | 11.3% |
| 41 |
Dominican University
River Forest, Illinois
|
$15,113 | $37,844 | 62.4% | 89.5% |
| 42 |
University of California-Davis
Davis, California
|
$15,288 | $15,247 | 85.1% | 37.3% |
| 43 |
University of Nevada-Reno
Reno, Nevada
|
$15,402 | $8,994 | 62.4% | 85.6% |
| 44 |
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, Mississippi
|
$15,501 | $9,815 | 62.9% | 75.2% |
| 45 |
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, California
|
$15,624 | $11,075 | 85.2% | 30.4% |
| 46 |
University of Arizona
Tucson, Arizona
|
$15,960 | $13,626 | 65.9% | 86.8% |
| 47 |
San Diego State University
San Diego, California
|
$16,174 | $8,290 | 78.3% | 39.3% |
| 48 |
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
|
$16,177 | $10,020 | 51.2% | 86.3% |
| 49 |
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
Carbondale, Illinois
|
$16,177 | $13,244 | 56.3% | 91.5% |
| 50 |
University of Central Arkansas
Conway, Arkansas
|
$16,775 | $10,118 | 53.3% | 91.2% |
Frequently Asked Questions
What explains the dramatic graduation rate differences between programs under $7,000?
Ohio University regional campuses show graduation rates between 12.1 and 20 percent, while California State University-Los Angeles achieves 52.6 percent at a similar $4,113 net price. The difference often reflects student demographics and campus resources. Regional campuses typically serve more part-time and working students, while full state universities offer more support services and full-time enrollment pathways.
How do earnings compare for graduates from the cheapest nutrition sciences programs?
Available earnings data shows University of Connecticut-Waterbury graduates earning $29,141 annually, while University of Nevada-Las Vegas graduates earn $28,753. These figures fall within the typical range for entry-level nutrition positions. The limited earnings data for cheaper programs suggests many graduates pursue additional credentials or work in non-profit sectors with different compensation structures.
Is University of Florida's 23.35 percent acceptance rate typical for affordable nutrition programs?
University of Florida stands as a clear outlier with highly selective admissions while maintaining a $6,351 net price. Most affordable programs accept 80 to 95 percent of applicants, reflecting their mission to serve broader populations. California State University-Long Beach offers middle ground with 39.95 percent acceptance and strong 69.9 percent graduation rates.
Does choosing a regional campus over a main campus affect program quality?
Regional campuses often offer identical curriculum and degrees as main campuses but with different student support levels. Ohio University's regional campuses charge the same $6,178 in-state tuition as the main Athens campus. However, graduation rates between 12.1 and 20 percent suggest students may need additional academic or financial support to complete their programs successfully.
Where do private institutions fit in affordable nutrition sciences education?
Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Gurabo Campus offers the only private option under $8,000 with a $7,668 net price and 30.2 percent graduation rate. This Puerto Rico institution serves a unique population with different financial aid structures. Most affordable nutrition programs remain concentrated in public universities across California, Ohio, and other states with strong agricultural economies.
More Nutrition Sciences Rankings
Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.