2027 Best Value Food & Nutrition Bachelor’s Degree 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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 26 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for food & nutrition students.
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2027 Best Value Food & Nutrition Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in food & nutrition, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Food & Nutrition Schools
Cuny Hunter College tops our 2027 list of the best value food & nutrition schools in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete the food & nutrition program here. Food & Nutrition graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $39,756 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,091 median debt. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
North Carolina A And T State University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value food & nutrition schools. North Carolina A And T State University is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,813, while out-of-state students pay about $20,673. Typical student debt for food & nutrition graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, food & nutrition degree recipients from North Carolina A And T State University generally make around $50,715. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned it the #3 place for food & nutrition. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,117 to complete the food & nutrition program here. Food & Nutrition graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $23,633 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,117 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
Wayne State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in food & nutrition, landing the #4 spot this year. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Typical student debt for food & nutrition graduates is $22,750. Early-career food & nutrition graduates make about $34,303. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Middle Tennessee State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in food & nutrition, landing the #5 spot this year. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. In-state tuition and fees average $10,266, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Food & Nutrition graduates carry a median of $25,853 in student loans. Food & Nutrition graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $30,835 early in their careers. Set against $25,853 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
University Of Idaho placed #6 among the best values for food & nutrition. University Of Idaho is a large public school located in the town of Moscow. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,084, compared with $28,320 for out-of-state students. Food & Nutrition graduates carry a median of $29,566 in student loans. Food & Nutrition graduates of University Of Idaho earn a median of $35,212 early in their careers. Set against $29,566 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Morgan State University earned the #7 position for value in food & nutrition this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, Morgan State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,229, while out-of-state students pay about $19,124. Food & Nutrition graduates carry a median of $34,537 in student loans. Early-career food & nutrition graduates make about $49,736. That is a strong return on a $34,537 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Framingham State University placed #8 among the best values for food & nutrition. Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Framingham. In-state tuition and fees average $11,920, with out-of-state students paying around $18,000. Food & Nutrition graduates carry a median of $26,674 in student loans. Food & Nutrition graduates of Framingham State University earn a median of $41,932 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,674 median debt. Framingham State University admits about 84% of applicants.
Georgia Southern University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value food & nutrition schools. Located in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,022, compared with $17,734 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for food & nutrition graduates is $26,500. Food & Nutrition graduates of Georgia Southern University earn a median of $45,531 early in their careers. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus landed the #10 spot for food & nutrition value this year. Located in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,110, while out-of-state students pay about $25,630. Food & Nutrition graduates carry a median of $19,584 in student loans. Early-career food & nutrition graduates make about $25,076. Set against $19,584 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of Delaware came in at #11 for value in food & nutrition this year. University Of Delaware is a very large public school located in the suburb of Newark. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,810, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. Typical student debt for food & nutrition graduates is $25,536. Food & Nutrition graduates of University Of Delaware earn a median of $39,066 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #12 for value in food & nutrition this year. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,434 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for food & nutrition graduates is $25,256. Soon after graduation, food & nutrition degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $33,728. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Texas State University San Marcos landed the #13 spot for food & nutrition value this year. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. Typical student debt for food & nutrition graduates is $23,354. Soon after graduation, food & nutrition degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $36,601. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas State University San Marcos admits about 89% of applicants.
Sam Houston State University landed the #14 spot for food & nutrition value this year. Sam Houston State University is a very large public school located in the town of Huntsville. In-state tuition and fees average $9,228, compared with $19,068 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for food & nutrition graduates is $24,850. Food & Nutrition graduates of Sam Houston State University earn a median of $46,365 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earned the #15 position for value in food & nutrition this year. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Indiana. In-state tuition and fees average $11,380, with out-of-state students paying around $16,297. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the food & nutrition program here. Food & Nutrition graduates of Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earn a median of $23,996 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Arkansas ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value food & nutrition schools. Set in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $29,966. Food & Nutrition graduates carry a median of $24,400 in student loans. Food & Nutrition graduates of University Of Arkansas earn a median of $31,986 early in their careers. Set against $24,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Arkansas admits about 74% of applicants.
Waldorf College placed #17 among the best values for food & nutrition. Located in the rural area of Forest City, Waldorf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,978. Students borrow a median of $24,622 to complete the food & nutrition program here. Early-career food & nutrition graduates make about $63,346. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Waldorf College admits about 77% of applicants.
Bluffton University landed the #18 spot for food & nutrition value this year. Located in the rural area of Bluffton, Bluffton University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $37,362 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for food & nutrition graduates is $27,000. Food & Nutrition graduates of Bluffton University earn a median of $41,821 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 67%.
The University Of Alabama came in at #19 for value in food & nutrition this year. The University Of Alabama is a very large public school located in the city of Tuscaloosa. Students from in state pay about $12,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,172. Food & Nutrition graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Food & Nutrition graduates of The University Of Alabama earn a median of $50,740 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Montana State University landed the #20 spot for food & nutrition value this year. Set in the city of Bozeman, Montana State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,460 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,287. Food & Nutrition graduates carry a median of $23,635 in student loans. Food & Nutrition graduates of Montana State University earn a median of $47,703 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Benedictine University placed #21 among the best values for food & nutrition. Benedictine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lisle. In-state tuition and fees average $32,648. Food & Nutrition graduates carry a median of $26,675 in student loans. Early-career food & nutrition graduates make about $26,474. That is a strong return on a $26,675 median debt. Benedictine University admits about 95% of applicants.
James Madison University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value food & nutrition schools. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,966, compared with $31,312 for out-of-state students. Food & Nutrition graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, food & nutrition degree recipients from James Madison University generally make around $24,860. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. James Madison University admits about 72% of applicants.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University placed #23 among the best values for food & nutrition. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the food & nutrition program here. Early-career food & nutrition graduates make about $25,414. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University admits about 55% of applicants.
Johnson And Wales University Charlotte placed #24 among the best values for food & nutrition. Johnson And Wales University Charlotte is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Charlotte. In-state tuition and fees average $41,982. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the food & nutrition program here. Food & Nutrition graduates of Johnson And Wales University Charlotte earn a median of $32,586 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Johnson And Wales University Charlotte admits about 80% of applicants.
Johnson And Wales University Providence placed #25 among the best values for food & nutrition. Johnson And Wales University Providence is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. In-state tuition and fees average $41,982. Typical student debt for food & nutrition graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, food & nutrition degree recipients from Johnson And Wales University Providence generally make around $32,586. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 26 Best Value Food & Nutrition Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in food & nutrition:
Other Food & Nutrition Degree Levels
Explore the best-value food & nutrition schools at other degree levels:
View All Food & Nutrition Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 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.
