2027 Best Value Food Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Food Science](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/food-science-technology/food-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 33 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value food science schools.
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2027 Best Value Food Science Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the food science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Food Science Schools
Leading the list is University Of Florida, our #1 best value for food science in the United States. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for food science graduates is $17,669. Food Science graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $58,388 early in their careers. Set against $17,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in food science will find it at California State University Fresno, which ranked #2. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State Polytechnic University Pomona earned it the #3 place for food science. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,781, while out-of-state students pay about $20,381. Typical student debt for food science graduates is $17,498. Early-career food science graduates make about $51,883. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. 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. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800. Food Science graduates carry a median of $13,287 in student loans. Soon after graduation, food science degree recipients from Brigham Young University Idaho generally make around $43,853. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value food science schools. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus placed #6 among the best values for food science. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. 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. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Davis earned the #7 position for value in food science this year. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Food Science graduates carry a median of $14,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, food science degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $52,084. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #8 for value in food science this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Food Science graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Food Science graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $41,150 early in their careers. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Washington State University came in at #9 for value in food science this year. Located in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,391, with out-of-state students paying around $29,950. Students borrow a median of $14,780 to complete the food science program here. Soon after graduation, food science degree recipients from Washington State University generally make around $47,970. Set against $14,780 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #10 for value in food science this year. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,161, compared with $33,230 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 31%.
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. Students borrow a median of $12,184 to complete the food science program here. Food Science graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $54,507 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,184 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
University Of Maryland College Park landed the #12 spot for food science value this year. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Food Science graduates carry a median of $24,730 in student loans. Food Science graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $24,341 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,730 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #13 position for value in food science this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for food science graduates is $21,813. Food Science graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $59,877 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value food science schools. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Students borrow a median of $20,534 to complete the food science program here. Soon after graduation, food science degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $59,889. Set against $20,534 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #15 for value in food science this year. 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. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earned the #16 position for value in food science this year. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Typical student debt for food science graduates is $21,050. Soon after graduation, food science degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $49,303. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Stout placed #17 among the best values for food science. University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Menomonie. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,701, compared with $19,265 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,821 to complete the food science program here. Early-career food science graduates make about $54,235. Set against $25,821 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Stout admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln landed the #18 spot for food science value this year. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,434, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Food Science graduates carry a median of $22,386 in student loans. Soon after graduation, food science degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $49,755. Set against $22,386 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Delaware came in at #19 for value in food science this year. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,810, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,861 to complete the food science program here. Food Science graduates of University Of Delaware earn a median of $54,155 early in their careers. Set against $24,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Delaware admits about 71% of applicants.
University Of Arkansas ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value food science schools. Located in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $29,966. Students borrow a median of $17,750 to complete the food science program here. Food Science graduates of University Of Arkansas earn a median of $53,205 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Arkansas admits about 74% of applicants.
Mississippi State University landed the #21 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. Students borrow a median of $24,475 to complete the food science program here. Soon after graduation, food science degree recipients from Mississippi State University generally make around $47,383. Set against $24,475 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Iowa State University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value food science schools. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for food science graduates is $26,254. Food Science graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $60,351 early in their careers. Set against $26,254 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value food science schools. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,812, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for food science graduates is $20,632. Soon after graduation, food science degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $48,441. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Kansas State University earned the #24 position for value in food science this year. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,221, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. Students borrow a median of $24,844 to complete the food science program here. Food Science graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $62,479 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,844 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Michigan State University landed the #25 spot for food science value this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Food Science graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, food science degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $59,342. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 33 Best Value Food Science Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for food science this year:
Other Food Science Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Food Science rankings across degree levels:
View All Food Science Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 33 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 33 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
