2027 Best Value Food Science Technology Schools in the The Plains States Region

[Food Science Technology](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/food-science-technology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 4 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for food science technology students.
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2027 Best Value Food Science Technology Schools in the The Plains States 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 Minnesota Twin Cities earned the #1 spot for value among food science technology schools in the The Plains States Region. 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. 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. That is a strong return on a $21,050 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Nebraska Lincoln one of the best values for food science technology. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. That is a strong return on a $22,386 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Students looking for strong value in food science technology will find it at Iowa State University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Typical student debt for food science technology graduates is $26,254. Soon after graduation, food science technology degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $60,267. That is a strong return on a $26,254 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Kansas State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in food science technology, landing the #4 spot this year. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,221, compared with $28,568 for out-of-state students. Food Science Technology graduates carry a median of $24,844 in student loans. Early-career food science technology graduates make about $76,437. Set against $24,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.