by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 65 U.S. colleges awarded 1,570 degrees and certificates in Food Science. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 55% of graduates. College Factual ranks 36 schools in its 2027 Best Food Science Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $55,828 one year after completing, rising to $73,551 after four years.
A degree in Food Science involves the study of Food Science. A Program That Focuses On The Application Of Biological, Chemical, And Physical Principles To The Study Of Converting Raw Agricultural Products Into Processed Forms Suitable For Direct Human Consumption, And The Storage Of Such Products. Includes Instruction In Applicable Aspects Of The Agricultural Sciences, Human Physiology And Nutrition, Food Chemistry, Agricultural Products Processing, Food Additives, Food Preparation And Packaging, Food Storage And Shipment, And Related Aspects Of Human Health And Safety Including Toxicology And Pathology. Examples: [Food Safety].
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, food science is a widely-pursued major, with 1,570 degrees awarded annually. 65 colleges award food science degrees, an average of 24 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 113.
By level, the 1,570 awards include 5 associate degrees, 871 bachelor’s degrees, 553 master’s degrees and 140 doctorates.
Women earned 65% of food science degrees and certificates in the latest year (1,019 of 1,570). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (649) and Asian (185), and international students earned 468.
College Factual ranks 36 schools in its 2027 Best Food Science Schools ranking, including 31 for bachelor’s degrees, 17 for master’s degrees and 3 for doctorates. It also ranks food science schools within 27 states. In all, 65 colleges offer food science programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Food Science Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common food science credential is the bachelor’s degree: 871 of the 1,570 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to food science call most for Reading Comprehension, Speaking and Writing, and for knowledge of Biology, English Language and Food Production, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Written Comprehension and Oral Comprehension.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a food science degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 5 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 871 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 553 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 140 |
Doctoral degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to food science, at 32.4%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 32.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 22.4% |
| Post-doctoral training | 16.0% |
| Master’s degree | 12.2% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 7.5% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 4.2% |
| Some college courses | 3.2% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 1.5% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.5% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.2% |
Source: O*NET Online.
3 occupations are related to Food Science, with an average median salary of $74,577; the strongest outlook belongs to Food Science Technicians, at 7.3% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Horticulture Manager, Agricultural Economics Professor, Animal Science Instructor and Faculty Member.
The occupation related to food science with the most projected jobs is Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, at 297,433.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | 297,433 | 4.5% |
| Food Science Technicians | 135,157 | 7.3% |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | 76,219 | -4.2% |
Food Science graduates earn a median $55,828 one year after completing their program, $73,551 after four years and $68,842 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $55,828 |
| 4 years | $73,551 |
| 5 years | $68,842 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to food science, with a median salary of $100,898.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Food Science Technicians | $100,898 |
| Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $66,903 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $55,930 |
Food Science has 5 similar majors in the Agriculture field, which together award 680 degrees a year; the largest are Viticulture and Enology (241), Food Science and Technology, Other (128) and Brewing Science (113). Browse all Agriculture majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Viticulture and Enology | 241 |
| Food Science and Technology, Other | 128 |
| Brewing Science | 113 |
| Zymology/Fermentation Science | 100 |
| Food Technology and Processing | 98 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
