by our College Data Analytics Team
[Food Science Technology](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/food-science-technology/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 5 schools on the early-career earnings of their food science technology graduates.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose food science technology graduates go on to earn the most.
Our analysis ranked California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo the top school for food science technology graduate earnings in California. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. Students who complete the food science technology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $82,237.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying food science technology schools. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a public institution. After graduating, food science technology degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona typically earn about $75,173 annually.
University Of California Davis came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying food science technology schools. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a public institution. Early-career food science technology graduates from University Of California Davis make a median of around $72,469 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at California State University Los Angeles earned it the #4 place for food science technology. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a public institution. Food Science Technology graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of about $52,806 a year early in their careers.
California State University Fresno came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying food science technology schools. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a public institution. Food Science Technology graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of about $63,092 a year early in their careers.
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their food science technology graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 5 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
