by our College Data Analytics TeamFood Technology & Processing was the 1,034 most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 95 degrees in this year alone. This represents a 8.4% increase in food technology and processing degrees awarded over the prior year's total of 87.
This year's Best Food Technology & Processing Schools ranking compares 6 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of food technology and processing programs later in this article.
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents has been highlighted as one of the most essential skills for careers related to food technology and processing. Required skills include giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times and communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most food technology and processing degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. Specific food technology and processing careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
Food Technology and Processing degree levels vary. You can get anything from a in food technology and processing to the highest food technology and processing degree, a . The type of food technology and processing degree you choose will determine how long it takes to get your diploma.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to food technology and processing, with approximately 38.7% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to food technology and processing tend obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 39.1% |
| Master’s Degree | 22.3% |
| High School Diploma | 11.8% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 11.0% |
| Post-Master’s Certificate | 5.4% |
70.2% of food technology and processing workers have at least a bachelor's. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in food technology and processing have obtained.
The education level required is different depending on the food technology and processing career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your food technology and processing degree? Food Technology & Processing careers are expected to grow 6.1% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to food technology and processing.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Agricultural and Food Science Technicians | 29,200 | 6.2% |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | 18,000 | 5.9% |
As you might expect, salaries for food technology and processing graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for food technology and processing graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers food technology and processing grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $72,570 |
| Agricultural and Food Science Technicians | $44,170 |
With over 32 different food technology and processing degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased food technology and processing school rankings to help you with this.
Food Technology & Processing is one of 4 different types of Food Science Technology programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Food Science | 1,812 |
| Food Science & Technology, Other | 181 |
| Brewing Science | 80 |
| Zymology/Fermentation Science | 46 |
Image Credit: By Muhammad Irshad Ansari under License More about our data sources and methodologies.
