by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 151 U.S. colleges awarded 2,083 degrees and certificates in Food & Nutrition. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 50% of graduates. College Factual ranks 56 schools in its 2027 Best Food & Nutrition Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $35,773 one year after completing, rising to $55,364 after four years.
A degree in Food & Nutrition involves the study of Foods, Nutrition, And Wellness Studies, General. A General Program That Focuses On The Role Of Foods And Nutrition In Human Health And Wellness. Includes Instruction In Nutritional Care And Education, The Planning And Provision Of Food Services, The Development Of Consumable Food Products, Life-Span Nutrition And Wellness, The Principles Of Nutritional Assessment, And Food Safety And Food Composition.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, food & nutrition draws strong interest, with 2,083 degrees awarded annually. 151 colleges award food & nutrition degrees, an average of 14 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 219.
By level, the 2,083 awards include 3 certificates, 331 associate degrees, 1,038 bachelor’s degrees, 673 master’s degrees and 10 doctorates.
Women earned 78% of food & nutrition degrees and certificates in the latest year (1,630 of 2,083). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (1,120) and Hispanic or Latino (376), and international students earned 63.
College Factual ranks 56 schools in its 2027 Best Food & Nutrition Schools ranking, including 25 for bachelor’s degrees and 24 for master’s degrees. It also ranks food & nutrition schools within 21 states. In all, 151 colleges offer food & nutrition programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Food & Nutrition Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common food & nutrition credential is the bachelor’s degree: 1,038 of the 2,083 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to food & nutrition call most for Speaking, Active Listening and Reading Comprehension, and for knowledge of English Language, Customer and Personal Service and Education and Training, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Oral Comprehension and Written Comprehension.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a food & nutrition degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 3 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 331 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 1,038 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 673 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 10 |
Post-baccalaureate certificate is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to food & nutrition, at 35.7%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 35.7% |
| Master’s degree | 30.3% |
| Doctoral degree | 12.3% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 8.0% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 6.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.5% |
| Some college courses | 1.9% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 1.1% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.9% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.2% |
| First professional degree | 0.1% |
Source: O*NET Online.
3 occupations are related to Food & Nutrition, with an average median salary of $120,963; the strongest outlook belongs to Dietetic Technicians, at 5.0% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Nutrition Coordinator, Menu Planner, Nutrition Counselor and Dietary Aide.
The occupation related to food & nutrition with the most projected jobs is Dietitians and Nutritionists, at 3,155,854.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | 3,155,854 | 1.4% |
| Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,267,153 | 0.4% |
| Dietetic Technicians | 587,747 | 5.0% |
Food & Nutrition graduates earn a median $35,773 one year after completing their program, $55,364 after four years and $48,775 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $35,773 |
| 4 years | $55,364 |
| 5 years | $48,775 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to food & nutrition, with a median salary of $137,981.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Dietetic Technicians | $137,981 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $125,305 |
| Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $99,604 |
Food & Nutrition has 3 similar majors in the Family, Consumer & Human Sciences field, which together award 1,590 degrees a year; the largest are Human Nutrition (1,144), Foodservice Systems Administration/Management (333) and Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services, Other (113). Browse all Family, Consumer & Human Sciences majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Human Nutrition | 1,144 |
| Foodservice Systems Administration/Management | 333 |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services, Other | 113 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
