2026 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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 185 schools to find the best return on investment for food & nutrition students.
What’s on this page:
2026 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
Cuny Hunter College tops our 2026 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, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Typical student debt for food & nutrition graduates is $11,091. 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. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Texas Womans University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value food & nutrition schools. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,640, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Typical student debt for food & nutrition graduates is $14,104. Early-career food & nutrition graduates make about $46,399. Set against $14,104 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Kentucky University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in food & nutrition, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,320 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,230 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,122 to complete the food & nutrition program here. Food & Nutrition graduates of Eastern Kentucky University earn a median of $43,891 early in their careers. Set against $25,122 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in food & nutrition will find it at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Food & Nutrition graduates carry a median of $15,117 in student loans. Early-career food & nutrition graduates make about $23,633. Set against $15,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
Lamar University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in food & nutrition, landing the #5 spot this year. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. In-state tuition and fees average $8,905, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $21,482 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Lincoln University Missouri ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value food & nutrition schools. Located in the city of Jefferson City, Lincoln University Missouri is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,796, with out-of-state students paying around $17,692. Students borrow a median of $32,831 to complete the food & nutrition program here. Soon after graduation, food & nutrition degree recipients from Lincoln University Missouri generally make around $37,449. Set against $32,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arizona State University placed #7 among the best values for food & nutrition. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the food & nutrition program here. Early-career food & nutrition graduates make about $34,467. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Middle Tennessee State University landed the #8 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, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Food & Nutrition graduates carry a median of $25,853 in student loans. Early-career food & nutrition graduates make about $30,835. Set against $25,853 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value food & nutrition schools. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,750 to complete the food & nutrition program here. Food & Nutrition graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $34,303 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus earned the #10 position for value in food & nutrition this year. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. In-state tuition and fees average $10,110, with out-of-state students paying around $25,630. Food & Nutrition graduates carry a median of $19,584 in student loans. Soon after graduation, food & nutrition degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Main Campus generally make around $25,076. That is a strong return on a $19,584 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Morgan State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value food & nutrition schools. Morgan State University is a large public school located in the city of Baltimore. Students from in state pay about $8,229 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,124 for out-of-state students. Food & Nutrition graduates carry a median of $34,537 in student loans. Soon after graduation, food & nutrition degree recipients from Morgan State University generally make around $49,736. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Texas State University San Marcos landed the #12 spot for food & nutrition value this year. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Typical student debt for food & nutrition graduates is $23,354. Food & Nutrition graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $36,601 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Sam Houston State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value food & nutrition schools. Set in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,228, with out-of-state students paying around $19,068. Students borrow a median of $24,850 to complete the food & nutrition program here. Soon after graduation, food & nutrition degree recipients from Sam Houston State University generally make around $46,365. Set against $24,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Framingham State University earned the #14 position for value in food & nutrition this year. Set in the city of Framingham, Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,920, compared with $18,000 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln landed the #15 spot for food & nutrition value this year. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Food & Nutrition graduates carry a median of $25,256 in student loans. 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%.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value food & nutrition schools. Located in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,380 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,297 for out-of-state students. Food & Nutrition graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Food & Nutrition graduates of Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earn a median of $23,996 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Arkansas landed the #17 spot for food & nutrition value this year. University Of Arkansas is a very large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $29,966. Students borrow a median of $24,400 to complete the food & nutrition program here. Food & Nutrition graduates of University Of Arkansas earn a median of $31,986 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value food & nutrition schools. Located in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,140, compared with $33,060 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the food & nutrition program here. Soon after graduation, food & nutrition degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Main Campus generally make around $27,978. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of New Mexico Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
Montana State University placed #19 among the best values for food & nutrition. Set in the city of Bozeman, Montana State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,460, compared with $33,287 for out-of-state students. Food & Nutrition graduates carry a median of $23,635 in student loans. Early-career food & nutrition graduates make about $47,703. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
James Madison University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value food & nutrition schools. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,966, while out-of-state students pay about $31,312. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the food & nutrition program here. Food & Nutrition graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $24,860 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Alabama landed the #21 spot for food & nutrition value this year. Set in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,180, while out-of-state students pay about $34,172. Food & Nutrition graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career food & nutrition graduates make about $50,740. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Waldorf College placed #22 among the best values for food & nutrition. Set in the rural area of Forest City, Waldorf College is a mid-sized private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. That is a strong return on a $24,622 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University placed #23 among the best values for food & nutrition. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. In-state tuition and fees average $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Food & Nutrition graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career food & nutrition graduates make about $25,414. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University admits about 55% of applicants.
Cedar Crest College earned the #24 position for value in food & nutrition this year. Located in the city of Allentown, Cedar Crest College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $46,314 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for food & nutrition graduates is $30,759. Food & Nutrition graduates of Cedar Crest College earn a median of $67,662 early in their careers. Set against $30,759 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cedar Crest College admits about 84% of applicants.
Johnson And Wales University Charlotte placed #25 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. Students from in state pay about $41,982 in tuition and fees. Food & Nutrition graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career food & nutrition graduates make about $32,586. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 28 Best Value Food & Nutrition Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for food & nutrition this year:
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), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 185 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.
