2026 Best Value Food Science Technology Schools in the Far Western Region
[Food Science Technology](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/food-science-technology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 39 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for food science technology students.
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2026 Best Value Food Science Technology Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in food science technology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Food Science Technology Schools
California State University Fresno earned the #1 spot for value among food science technology schools in the Far Western Region. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Food Science Technology graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Walla Walla Community College earned it the #2 place for food science technology. Set in the city of Walla Walla, Walla Walla Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,279 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,700. Food Science Technology graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. Early-career food science technology graduates make about $46,131. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in food science technology will find it at California State Polytechnic University Pomona, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,781 in tuition and fees, 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. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Napa Valley College earned it the #4 place for food science technology. Napa Valley College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Napa. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $11,908. Median earnings reach $49,517 ten years out.
Students looking for strong value in food science technology will find it at University Of California Davis, which ranked #5. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo placed #6 among the best values for food science technology. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,161, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. 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. Set against $20,654 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 31%.
Oregon State University placed #7 among the best values for food science technology. Set in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,400, compared with $38,190 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,945 to complete the food science technology program here. Soon after graduation, food science technology degree recipients from Oregon State University generally make around $43,923. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oregon State University admits about 77% of applicants.
Chapman University earned the #8 position for value in food science technology this year. Set in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,984. Students borrow a median of $21,657 to complete the food science technology program here. Early-career food science technology graduates make about $50,947. Set against $21,657 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Chapman University admits about 65% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 39 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
