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.
College Factual analyzed 4 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying food science technology schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send food science technology graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
For graduate earnings in food science technology, no school beat University Of Wisconsin Madison this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. After graduating, food science technology degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison typically earn about $74,120 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in food science technology will find them at Michigan State University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a public institution. Food Science Technology graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of about $93,899 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at Ohio State University Main Campus earned it the #3 place for food science technology. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a public institution. Food Science Technology graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of about $70,674 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in food science technology will find them at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. Students who complete the food science technology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $60,678.
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries food science technology graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 4 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.