2027 Best Value Food Science Technology Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Food Science Technology](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/food-science-technology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong food science technology education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 33 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value food science technology schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Food Science Technology Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the food science technology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Food Science Technology Schools
For return on investment in food science technology, no school beat University Of Florida this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for food science technology graduates is $17,669. Food Science Technology graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $58,388 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
California State University Fresno came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value food science technology schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the food science technology program here. Soon after graduation, food science technology 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.
A rank of #3 makes Brigham Young University Idaho one of the best values for food science technology. 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. 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. That is a strong return on a $13,287 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value food science technology schools. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,781, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. Students borrow a median of $17,498 to complete the food science technology program here. Soon after graduation, food science technology degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona generally make around $51,883. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State Polytechnic University Pomona admits about 75% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in food science technology will find it at University Of Georgia, which ranked #5. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Typical student debt for food science technology graduates is $21,792. Early-career food science technology graduates make about $82,065. That is a strong return on a $21,792 median debt. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value food science technology schools. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Food Science Technology graduates carry a median of $19,844 in student loans. Food Science Technology graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $63,111 early in their careers. Set against $19,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #7 spot for food science technology value this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for food science technology graduates is $19,000. Food Science Technology 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. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of California Davis ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value food science technology schools. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. Students from in state pay about $15,804 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Food Science Technology graduates carry a median of $14,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, food science technology degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $52,084. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Washington State University placed #9 among the best values for food science technology. Set in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,391, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. Food Science Technology graduates carry a median of $14,780 in student loans. Food Science Technology graduates of Washington State University earn a median of $47,970 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,780 median debt. Washington State University admits about 87% of applicants.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo placed #10 among the best values for food science technology. 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, compared with $33,230 for out-of-state students. Food Science Technology graduates carry a median of $20,654 in student loans. Soon after graduation, food science technology 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 landed the #11 spot for food science technology value this year. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. In-state tuition and fees average $6,688. Typical student debt for food science technology graduates is $12,184. Food Science Technology 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. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland College Park ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value food science technology schools. 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. Typical student debt for food science technology graduates is $24,730. Food Science Technology 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. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value food science technology schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete the food science technology program here. Early-career food science technology graduates make about $59,877. That is a strong return on a $21,813 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value food science technology schools. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Students borrow a median of $20,534 to complete the food science technology program here. Soon after graduation, food science technology degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $59,889. That is a strong return on a $20,534 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #15 among the best values for food science technology. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Typical student debt for food science technology graduates is $21,050. Soon after graduation, food science technology degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $49,303. That is a strong return on a $21,050 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #16 spot for food science technology value this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Typical student debt for food science technology graduates is $21,000. Soon after graduation, food science technology degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $50,631. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of Wisconsin Stout placed #17 among the best values for food science technology. University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Menomonie. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,701, compared with $19,265 for out-of-state students. Food Science Technology graduates carry a median of $25,821 in student loans. Food Science Technology graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stout earn a median of $54,235 early in their careers. Set against $25,821 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln landed the #18 spot for food science technology value this year. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,434, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Food Science Technology graduates carry a median of $22,386 in student loans. Soon after graduation, food science technology degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $49,755. Set against $22,386 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Delaware earned the #19 position for value in food science technology this year. University Of Delaware is a very large public school located in the suburb of Newark. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,810, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. Food Science Technology graduates carry a median of $24,861 in student loans. Early-career food science technology graduates make about $54,155. Set against $24,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arkansas landed the #20 spot for food science technology value this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $29,966. Typical student debt for food science technology graduates is $17,750. Soon after graduation, food science technology degree recipients from University Of Arkansas generally make around $53,205. Set against $17,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Mississippi State University landed the #21 spot for food science technology value this year. Located in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,202, while out-of-state students pay about $27,637. Typical student debt for food science technology graduates is $24,475. Early-career food science technology graduates make about $47,383. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Iowa State University came in at #22 for value in food science technology this year. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Food Science Technology graduates carry a median of $26,254 in student loans. Soon after graduation, food science technology degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $60,351. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
The University Of Tennessee placed #23 among the best values for food science technology. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Food Science Technology graduates carry a median of $20,632 in student loans. Early-career food science technology graduates make about $48,441. Set against $20,632 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants.
Kansas State University landed the #24 spot for food science technology value this year. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,221 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Students borrow a median of $24,844 to complete the food science technology program here. Soon after graduation, food science technology degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $62,479. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan State University came in at #25 for value in food science technology this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for food science technology graduates is $25,000. Food Science Technology graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $59,342 early in their careers. 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 Technology Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s food science technology value ranking:
Other Food Science Technology Degree Levels
Explore the best-value food science technology schools at other degree levels:
View All Food Science Technology Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 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.
