[Food Science Technology](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/food-science-technology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 45 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for food science technology students.
Finding the Best Value Food Science Technology School for You
Where you study food science technology affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we built our Best Value Food Science Technology Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Food Science Technology Schools list, to help you choose. 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.
For return on investment in food science technology, no school beat University Of Florida this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete the food science technology program here. Early-career food science technology graduates make about $58,388. That is a strong return on a $17,669 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Hartnell College one of the best values for food science technology. Hartnell College is a large public school located in the city of Salinas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,404, while out-of-state students pay about $10,398. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the food science technology program here. Soon after graduation, food science technology degree recipients from Hartnell College generally make around $35,080. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chattahoochee Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in food science technology, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Marietta, Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,540, while out-of-state students pay about $6,108. Students borrow a median of $9,616 to complete the food science technology program here. Soon after graduation, food science technology degree recipients from Chattahoochee Technical College generally make around $44,673. Set against $9,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Santa Rosa Junior College earned it the #4 place for food science technology. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Food Science Technology graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Food Science Technology graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fresno earned it the #5 place for food science technology. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Typical student debt for food science technology graduates is $16,500. Early-career food science technology graduates make about $45,796. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
Yavapai College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value food science technology schools. Located in the city of Prescott, Yavapai College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,948, compared with $9,486 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,087 to complete the food science technology program here. Food Science Technology graduates of Yavapai College earn a median of $52,087 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Brigham Young University Idaho came in at #7 for value in food science technology this year. 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. Typical student debt for food science technology graduates is $13,287. Soon after graduation, food science technology degree recipients from Brigham Young University Idaho generally make around $43,853. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona placed #8 among the best values for food science technology. 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, compared with $20,381 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for food science technology graduates is $17,498. Food Science Technology graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $51,883 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,498 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus earned the #9 position for value in food science technology this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Typical student debt for food science technology graduates is $19,844. Food Science Technology graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $63,111 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,844 median debt. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
University Of Georgia earned the #10 position for value in food science technology this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for food science technology graduates is $21,792. Soon after graduation, food science technology 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.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #11 position for value in food science technology this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Food Science Technology graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Early-career food science technology graduates make about $65,432. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of California Davis came in at #12 for value in food science technology this year. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,750 to complete the food science technology program here. Soon after graduation, food science technology degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $52,084. That is a strong return on a $14,750 median debt. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.
Washington State University placed #13 among the best values for food science technology. Washington State University is a very large public school located in the town of Pullman. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,391, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. Students borrow a median of $14,780 to complete the food science technology program here. Early-career food science technology graduates make about $47,970. Set against $14,780 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Grand Valley State University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value food science technology schools. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,502, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Food Science Technology graduates carry a median of $26,378 in student loans. Soon after graduation, food science technology degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $50,179. Set against $26,378 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #15 for value in food science technology this year. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,161 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,230. Food Science Technology graduates carry a median of $20,654 in student loans. Early-career food science technology graduates make about $52,240. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 31%.
Brigham Young University Provo ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value food science technology schools. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,688. Students borrow a median of $12,184 to complete the food science technology program here. Food Science Technology graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $54,507 early in their careers. Set against $12,184 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #17 for value in food science technology this year. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Typical student debt for food science technology graduates is $24,730. Early-career food science technology graduates make about $24,341. Set against $24,730 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #18 spot for food science technology value this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Typical student debt for food science technology graduates is $21,813. Food Science Technology graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $59,877 early in their careers. Set against $21,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned the #19 position for value in food science technology this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the food science technology program here. Food Science Technology graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $50,631 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #20 spot for food science technology value this year. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Food Science Technology graduates carry a median of $21,050 in student loans. Food Science Technology graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $49,303 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #21 position for value in food science technology this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Food Science Technology graduates carry a median of $20,534 in student loans. Food Science Technology graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $59,889 early in their careers. Set against $20,534 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #22 for value in food science technology this year. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. Students from in state pay about $10,434 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Food Science Technology graduates carry a median of $22,386 in student loans. Early-career food science technology graduates make about $49,755. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Wisconsin Stout placed #23 among the best values for food science technology. Located in the town of Menomonie, University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,701, with out-of-state students paying around $19,265. Students borrow a median of $25,821 to complete the food science technology program here. Soon after graduation, food science technology degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Stout generally make around $54,235. That is a strong return on a $25,821 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Illinois Institute Of Technology earned the #24 position for value in food science technology this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $52,202 in tuition and fees. Food Science Technology graduates carry a median of $26,774 in student loans. Soon after graduation, food science technology degree recipients from Illinois Institute Of Technology generally make around $71,315. That is a strong return on a $26,774 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Delaware placed #25 among the best values for food science technology. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,810, while out-of-state students pay about $41,400. Typical student debt for food science technology graduates is $24,861. Food Science Technology graduates of University Of Delaware earn a median of $54,155 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Rest of the Top 45 Best Value Food Science Technology Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for food science technology this year:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 45 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 45 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).
[Food Science Technology](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/food-science-technology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
