2027 Best Value Food Science Technology Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

[Food Science Technology](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/food-science-technology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 5 schools to find the best return on investment for food science technology students.
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2027 Best Value Food Science Technology Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in food science technology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Food Science Technology Schools
University Of Maryland College Park earned the #1 spot for value among food science technology schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, 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. Set against $24,730 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in food science technology will find it at University Of Delaware, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,810, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. Food Science Technology graduates carry a median of $24,861 in student loans. 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%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Rutgers University New Brunswick earned it the #3 place for food science technology. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,929 in tuition and fees, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the food science technology program here. Early-career food science technology graduates make about $51,892. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cornell University earned it the #4 place for food science technology. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,314. Students borrow a median of $15,750 to complete the food science technology program here. Early-career food science technology graduates make about $64,062. That is a strong return on a $15,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in food science technology, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $20,644 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the food science technology program here. Early-career food science technology graduates make about $59,722. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
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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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.