2027 Best Value Food & Nutrition Schools
[Food & Nutrition](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/food-nutrition-services/food-nutrition-wellness/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong food & nutrition education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 61 schools to find the best return on investment for food & nutrition students.
What’s on this page:
Finding the Best Value Food & Nutrition School for You
The right food & nutrition school can pay off for years to come. That is why we built our Best Value Food & Nutrition Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Learn more about our methodology
One Size Does Not Fit All
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Food & Nutrition Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
2027 Best Value Food & Nutrition Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the food & nutrition degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Food & Nutrition Schools
Leading the list is Moorpark College, our #1 best value for food & nutrition in the United States. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the food & nutrition program here. Food & Nutrition graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Lehman College earned it the #2 place for food & nutrition. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Food & Nutrition graduates carry a median of $13,213 in student loans. Soon after graduation, food & nutrition degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $63,287. That is a strong return on a $13,213 median debt. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Hunter College earned it the #3 place for food & nutrition. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Typical student debt for food & nutrition graduates is $11,091. Soon after graduation, food & nutrition degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $39,756. Set against $11,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Santa Monica College one of the best values for food & nutrition. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
Students looking for strong value in food & nutrition will find it at Central New Mexico Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,060, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for food & nutrition graduates is $10,112. Soon after graduation, food & nutrition degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $34,751. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Arizona College earned the #6 position for value in food & nutrition this year. Located in the rural area of Coolidge, Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,250, compared with $4,500 for out-of-state students. Food & Nutrition graduates carry a median of $11,635 in student loans. Soon after graduation, food & nutrition degree recipients from Central Arizona College generally make around $48,826. Set against $11,635 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Diego Mesa College placed #7 among the best values for food & nutrition. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt for food & nutrition graduates is $6,999. Early-career food & nutrition graduates make about $29,852. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mt San Antonio College earned the #8 position for value in food & nutrition this year. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Food & Nutrition graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Food & Nutrition graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
Long Beach City College came in at #9 for value in food & nutrition this year. Long Beach City College is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $1,556, compared with $12,544 for out-of-state students. Food & Nutrition graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,870. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fullerton College placed #10 among the best values for food & nutrition. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, Fullerton College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,151, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,366.
Ivy Tech Community College placed #11 among the best values for food & nutrition. Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $5,154, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Typical student debt for food & nutrition graduates is $11,889. Soon after graduation, food & nutrition degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $40,734. Set against $11,889 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Portland State University landed the #12 spot for food & nutrition value this year. Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,118, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Food & Nutrition graduates carry a median of $26,475 in student loans. Food & Nutrition graduates of Portland State University earn a median of $47,717 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Lamar University placed #13 among the best values for food & nutrition. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,905, with out-of-state students paying around $18,745. Food & Nutrition graduates carry a median of $21,482 in student loans. Soon after graduation, food & nutrition degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $52,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
North Carolina A And T State University placed #14 among the best values for food & nutrition. North Carolina A And T State University is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. Students from in state pay about $6,813 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,673 for out-of-state students. Food & Nutrition graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Food & Nutrition graduates of North Carolina A And T State University earn a median of $50,715 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Los Angeles City College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value food & nutrition schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Los Angeles City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,238, while out-of-state students pay about $10,572. Students borrow a median of $10,763 to complete the food & nutrition program here. Soon after graduation, food & nutrition degree recipients from Los Angeles City College generally make around $83,699. Set against $10,763 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill placed #16 among the best values for food & nutrition. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Students borrow a median of $15,117 to complete the food & nutrition program here. Early-career food & nutrition graduates make about $23,633. That is a strong return on a $15,117 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
East Los Angeles College earned the #17 position for value in food & nutrition this year. Set in the suburb of Monterey Park, East Los Angeles College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,238 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,572. Food & Nutrition graduates carry a median of $8,180 in student loans. Food & Nutrition graduates of East Los Angeles College earn a median of $33,595 early in their careers. Set against $8,180 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas Womans University placed #18 among the best values for food & nutrition. Set in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,640, with out-of-state students paying around $18,480. Food & Nutrition graduates carry a median of $14,104 in student loans. Food & Nutrition graduates of Texas Womans University earn a median of $46,399 early in their careers. Set against $14,104 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Womans University admits about 96% of applicants.
Andrews University earned the #19 position for value in food & nutrition this year. Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Berrien Springs. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,056. Typical student debt for food & nutrition graduates is $26,314. Early-career food & nutrition graduates make about $62,634. That is a strong return on a $26,314 median debt. Andrews University admits about 82% of applicants.
Santa Fe Community College earned the #20 position for value in food & nutrition this year. Santa Fe Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Santa Fe. In-state tuition and fees average $1,851, compared with $4,131 for out-of-state students. Food & Nutrition graduates carry a median of $15,267 in student loans. Food & Nutrition graduates of Santa Fe Community College earn a median of $51,935 early in their careers. Set against $15,267 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus placed #21 among the best values for food & nutrition. University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of University. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,772, with out-of-state students paying around $28,600. Food & Nutrition graduates carry a median of $22,444 in student loans. Food & Nutrition graduates of University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn a median of $50,876 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State University landed the #22 spot for food & nutrition value this year. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,159, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Typical student debt for food & nutrition graduates is $22,750. Soon after graduation, food & nutrition degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $34,303. That is a strong return on a $22,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
North Dakota State University Main Campus earned the #23 position for value in food & nutrition this year. Set in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,910 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,564. Food & Nutrition graduates carry a median of $25,153 in student loans. Food & Nutrition graduates of North Dakota State University Main Campus earn a median of $60,498 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,153 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Los Angeles Mission College landed the #24 spot for food & nutrition value this year. Set in the city of Sylmar, Los Angeles Mission College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,238, with out-of-state students paying around $10,572. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,834 ten years after entry.
Middle Tennessee State University landed the #25 spot for food & nutrition value this year. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,266, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. Food & Nutrition graduates carry a median of $25,853 in student loans. Soon after graduation, food & nutrition degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $30,835. That is a strong return on a $25,853 median debt. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Food & Nutrition Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s food & nutrition value ranking:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 61 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 61 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.
