by our College Data Analytics Team
[Food Science](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/food-science-technology/food-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong food science education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 39 schools to find the best return on investment for food science students.
What’s on this page:
Where you study food science affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we built our Best Value Food Science Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Learn more about our methodology
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Food Science Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the food science degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in food science, no school beat University Of Florida this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete the food science program here. Early-career food science graduates make about $58,388. Set against $17,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
California State University Fresno is a great value for students pursuing a degree in food science, landing the #2 spot this year. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the food science program here. Soon after graduation, food science degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $45,796. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value food science schools. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,781, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. Typical student debt for food science graduates is $17,498. Food Science graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $51,883 early in their careers. Set against $17,498 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State Polytechnic University Pomona admits about 75% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Brigham Young University Idaho earned it the #4 place for food science. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800. Students borrow a median of $13,287 to complete the food science program here. Early-career food science graduates make about $43,853. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Georgia earned it the #5 place for food science. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete the food science program here. Soon after graduation, food science degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $82,065. That is a strong return on a $21,792 median debt. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #6 spot for food science value this year. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Typical student debt for food science graduates is $19,844. Early-career food science graduates make about $63,111. That is a strong return on a $19,844 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value food science schools. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for food science graduates is $19,000. Soon after graduation, food science degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $65,432. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Davis landed the #8 spot for food science value this year. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Students borrow a median of $14,750 to complete the food science program here. Food Science graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $52,084 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Washington State University landed the #9 spot for food science value this year. Washington State University is a very large public school located in the town of Pullman. In-state tuition and fees average $13,391, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. Typical student debt for food science graduates is $14,780. Food Science graduates of Washington State University earn a median of $47,970 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Washington State University admits about 87% of applicants.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo placed #10 among the best values for food science. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,161, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. Typical student debt for food science graduates is $20,654. Soon after graduation, food science degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $52,240. That is a strong return on a $20,654 median debt. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo admits about 31% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Provo placed #11 among the best values for food science. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for food science graduates is $12,184. Food Science graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $54,507 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value food science schools. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete the food science program here. Early-career food science graduates make about $59,877. Set against $21,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #13 for value in food science this year. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Food Science graduates carry a median of $24,730 in student loans. Soon after graduation, food science degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $24,341. Set against $24,730 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value food science schools. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Food Science graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Early-career food science graduates make about $50,631. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #15 spot for food science value this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Typical student debt for food science graduates is $20,534. Soon after graduation, food science degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $59,889. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #16 spot for food science value this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,050 to complete the food science program here. Early-career food science graduates make about $49,303. Set against $21,050 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Stout placed #17 among the best values for food science. Set in the town of Menomonie, University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,701 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,265. Students borrow a median of $25,821 to complete the food science program here. Early-career food science graduates make about $54,235. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value food science schools. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,434, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,386 to complete the food science program here. Food Science graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $49,755 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,386 median debt. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants.
Illinois Institute Of Technology came in at #19 for value in food science this year. Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,202. Typical student debt for food science graduates is $26,774. Soon after graduation, food science degree recipients from Illinois Institute Of Technology generally make around $71,315. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Illinois Institute Of Technology admits about 55% of applicants.
University Of Maine came in at #20 for value in food science this year. Set in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,326, while out-of-state students pay about $36,756. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the food science program here. Soon after graduation, food science degree recipients from University Of Maine generally make around $43,598. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
University Of Delaware landed the #21 spot for food science value this year. University Of Delaware is a very large public school located in the suburb of Newark. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,810, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. Typical student debt for food science graduates is $24,861. Soon after graduation, food science degree recipients from University Of Delaware generally make around $54,155. Set against $24,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Delaware admits about 71% of applicants.
University Of Arkansas came in at #22 for value in food science this year. Located in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, compared with $29,966 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for food science graduates is $17,750. Early-career food science graduates make about $53,205. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Mississippi State University landed the #23 spot for food science value this year. Mississippi State University is a very large public school located in the town of Mississippi State. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,202, compared with $27,637 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for food science graduates is $24,475. Food Science graduates of Mississippi State University earn a median of $47,383 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,475 median debt. Mississippi State University admits about 78% of applicants.
Texas Tech University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value food science schools. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Students borrow a median of $24,271 to complete the food science program here. Early-career food science graduates make about $50,332. Set against $24,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Iowa State University landed the #25 spot for food science value this year. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,254 to complete the food science program here. Soon after graduation, food science degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $60,267. That is a strong return on a $26,254 median debt. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.
These schools also delivered strong value for food science this year:
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Food Science. See all related rankings.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 39 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 39 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
