2027 Best Value Food Science Technology Schools in the Great Lakes 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.
College Factual analyzed 8 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value food science technology schools.
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2027 Best Value Food Science Technology Schools in the Great Lakes Region
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
Leading the list is University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign, our #1 best value for food science technology in the Great Lakes Region. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Food Science Technology graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Food Science Technology graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $65,432 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #2 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. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Food Science Technology graduates carry a median of $19,844 in student loans. Soon after graduation, food science technology degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $63,111. Set against $19,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Grand Valley State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in food science technology, landing the #3 spot this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. Students borrow a median of $26,378 to complete the food science technology program here. Food Science Technology graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $50,179 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,378 median debt. Grand Valley State University admits about 83% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in food science technology will find it at Ohio State University Main Campus, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Typical student debt for food science technology graduates is $20,534. Early-career food science technology graduates make about $59,889. That is a strong return on a $20,534 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Wisconsin Madison one of the best values for food science technology. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Food Science Technology graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans. Food Science Technology graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $59,877 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,813 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Illinois Institute Of Technology ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value food science technology schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $52,202. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
University Of Wisconsin Stout landed the #7 spot for food science technology value this year. University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Menomonie. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,701, with out-of-state students paying around $19,265. Food Science Technology graduates carry a median of $25,821 in student loans. Early-career food science technology graduates make about $54,235. That is a strong return on a $25,821 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Stout admits about 88% of applicants.
Michigan State University came in at #8 for value in food science technology this year. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Food Science Technology graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, food science technology degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $75,787. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
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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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.