2026 Best Food Science Schools in California
Food Science programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 5 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best food science schools.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Food Science in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall food science education in California.
Top Schools in Food Science
Our analysis ranked Chapman University the best school in the country for a degree in food science. Located in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. Chapman University awarded about 16 food science degrees in the most recent data year. Food Science graduates of Chapman University earn a median of $50,947 early in their careers. Chapman University graduates carry a median of $21,657 in student loans.
See the full food science program report for Chapman University
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best food science schools. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates 86% of students within six years. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo awarded about 44 food science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the food science program make about $52,240 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,654 to complete this degree.
Read more about the food science program at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
University Of California Davis is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in food science, ranking #3. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Davis. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 52 food science degrees were awarded at University Of California Davis in the most recent year. Food Science graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $52,084 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,750.
Get the full food science details for University Of California Davis
Students looking for a strong food science program will find one at California State Polytechnic University Pomona, which ranked #4. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 30 food science degrees were awarded at California State Polytechnic University Pomona in the most recent year. Food Science graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $51,883 early in their careers. California State Polytechnic University Pomona graduates carry a median of $17,498 in student loans.
More information about a degree in food science from California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Students looking for a strong food science program will find one at California State University Fresno, which ranked #5. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. California State University Fresno awarded about 27 food science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, food science degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $45,796. California State University Fresno graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in food science from California State University Fresno
More Food Science Rankings
View All Food Science Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 5 schools evaluated.
- 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.
