by our College Data Analytics Team
[Food Science Technology](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/food-science-technology/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. The highest-paying schools turn a food science technology degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 9 schools on the early-career earnings of their food science technology graduates.
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Below are the schools whose food science technology graduates go on to earn the most.
University Of Georgia earned the #1 spot for highest-paid food science technology graduates in the Southeast Region. 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 $79,355 a year early in their careers.
University Of Florida came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying food science technology schools. University Of Florida is a public school located in the city of Gainesville. Students who complete the food science technology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $73,595.
The University Of Tennessee came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying food science technology schools. The University Of Tennessee is a public school located in the city of Knoxville. After graduating, food science technology degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee typically earn about $79,504 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in food science technology will find them at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. Early-career food science technology graduates from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University make a median of around $66,527 per year.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Arkansas one of the highest-paying schools for food science technology. University Of Arkansas is a public school located in the city of Fayetteville. Early-career food science technology graduates from University Of Arkansas make a median of around $53,205 per year.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #6 for food science technology graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public institution. Early-career food science technology graduates from North Carolina State University At Raleigh make a median of around $50,631 per year.
Mississippi State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying food science technology schools. Located in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a public institution. After graduating, food science technology degree recipients from Mississippi State University typically earn about $46,183 annually.
Clemson University placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for food science technology. Located in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a public institution. Early-career food science technology graduates from Clemson University make a median of around $52,394 per year.
Appalachian State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying food science technology schools. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a public institution. Early-career food science technology graduates from Appalachian State University make a median of around $38,743 per year.
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 · 9 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.