by our College Data Analytics Team
[Food Science Technology](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/food-science-technology/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. The schools below stand out for the salaries their food science technology graduates go on to command.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 8 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.
Leading the list is Michigan State University, our #1 for food science technology graduate salaries in the United States. Michigan State University is a public school located in the city of East Lansing. Early-career food science technology graduates from Michigan State University make a median of around $107,428 per year.
A rank of #2 makes Kansas State University one of the highest-paying schools for food science technology. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a public institution. After graduating, food science technology degree recipients from Kansas State University typically earn about $107,229 annually.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign one of the highest-paying schools for food science technology. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public school located in the city of Champaign. Food Science Technology graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of about $89,713 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of California Davis earned it the #4 place for food science technology. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a public institution. After graduating, food science technology degree recipients from University Of California Davis typically earn about $86,959 annually.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Georgia one of the highest-paying schools for food science technology. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a public institution. Food Science Technology graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of about $82,065 a year early in their careers.
University Of Florida earned the #6 position for food science technology graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a public institution. Food Science Technology graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of about $77,336 a year early in their careers.
Iowa State University landed the #7 spot for food science technology salaries this year. Iowa State University is a public school located in the city of Ames. After graduating, food science technology degree recipients from Iowa State University typically earn about $60,183 annually.
University Of Maine placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for food science technology. Set in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a public institution. After graduating, food science technology degree recipients from University Of Maine typically earn about $50,941 annually.
Looking for a different degree level? Compare highest-paid Food Science Technology rankings across degree levels:
This ranking is produced 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 · 8 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.