2026 Best Value Food & Nutrition Master’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
For return on investment in food & nutrition, no school beat Texas Womans University this year. Set in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,640, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Students borrow a median of $14,104 to complete the food & nutrition program here. Soon after graduation, food & nutrition degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $46,399. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value food & nutrition schools. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,772 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,600. Food & Nutrition graduates carry a median of $22,444 in student loans. Soon after graduation, food & nutrition degree recipients from University Of Mississippi Main Campus generally make around $50,876. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Mississippi Main Campus admits about 97% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at North Carolina A And T State University earned it the #3 place for food & nutrition. Located in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,813, compared with $20,673 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the food & nutrition program here. 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. North Carolina A And T State University admits about 50% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Lamar University one of the best values for food & nutrition. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,905, compared with $18,745 for out-of-state students. Food & Nutrition graduates carry a median of $21,482 in student loans. Early-career food & nutrition graduates make about $52,678. That is a strong return on a $21,482 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Mississippi came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value food & nutrition schools. Located in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,998, while out-of-state students pay about $11,998. Food & Nutrition graduates carry a median of $25,415 in student loans. Soon after graduation, food & nutrition degree recipients from University Of Southern Mississippi generally make around $52,338. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
University Of Arizona earned the #6 position for value in food & nutrition this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Food & Nutrition graduates carry a median of $21,861 in student loans. Soon after graduation, food & nutrition degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $50,834. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
North Dakota State University Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value food & nutrition schools. Set in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,910, with out-of-state students paying around $15,564. Typical student debt for food & nutrition graduates is $25,153. Soon after graduation, food & nutrition degree recipients from North Dakota State University Main Campus generally make around $60,498. Set against $25,153 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
East Carolina University landed the #8 spot for food & nutrition value this year. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,361, while out-of-state students pay about $23,638. Students borrow a median of $24,747 to complete the food & nutrition program here. Soon after graduation, food & nutrition degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $51,931. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.
Texas State University San Marcos placed #9 among the best values for food & nutrition. 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. Soon after graduation, food & nutrition degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $36,601. That is a strong return on a $23,354 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Framingham State University earned the #10 position for value in food & nutrition this year. Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Framingham. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln placed #11 among the best values for food & nutrition. 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. Early-career food & nutrition graduates make about $45,327. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Arkansas earned the #12 position for value in food & nutrition this year. Located in the city of Conway, University Of Central Arkansas is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,523, compared with $18,023 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,906 to complete the food & nutrition program here. Food & Nutrition graduates of University Of Central Arkansas earn a median of $43,187 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,906 median debt. University Of Central Arkansas admits about 90% of applicants.
South Dakota State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value food & nutrition schools. Located in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,299, while out-of-state students pay about $12,809. Typical student debt for food & nutrition graduates is $24,989. Early-career food & nutrition graduates make about $51,260. That is a strong return on a $24,989 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Meredith College earned the #14 position for value in food & nutrition this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, Meredith College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $45,630. Food & Nutrition graduates carry a median of $26,618 in student loans. Soon after graduation, food & nutrition degree recipients from Meredith College generally make around $22,422. Set against $26,618 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
The University Of Alabama placed #15 among the best values for food & nutrition. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,180, with out-of-state students paying around $34,172. Typical student debt for food & nutrition graduates is $27,000. 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%.
Arizona State University Skysong earned the #16 position for value in food & nutrition this year. Set in the city of Scottsdale, Arizona State University Skysong is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,627, compared with $13,925 for out-of-state students. Food & Nutrition graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career food & nutrition graduates make about $53,540. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arizona State University Skysong admits about 67% of applicants.
Benedictine University earned the #17 position for value in food & nutrition this year. Located in the suburb of Lisle, Benedictine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $32,648 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,675 to complete the food & nutrition program here. Early-career food & nutrition graduates make about $51,768. That is a strong return on a $26,675 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Lipscomb University came in at #18 for value in food & nutrition this year. Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,572. Typical student debt for food & nutrition graduates is $23,529. Early-career food & nutrition graduates make about $48,949. That is a strong return on a $23,529 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Simmons College landed the #19 spot for food & nutrition value this year. Located in the city of Boston, Simmons College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $46,874 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,740 to complete the food & nutrition program here. Early-career food & nutrition graduates make about $64,455. That is a strong return on a $26,740 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Samford University placed #20 among the best values for food & nutrition. Samford University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Birmingham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,150. Typical student debt for food & nutrition graduates is $21,039. Food & Nutrition graduates of Samford University earn a median of $64,132 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
New York University placed #21 among the best values for food & nutrition. New York University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $62,796 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,897 to complete the food & nutrition program here. Soon after graduation, food & nutrition degree recipients from New York University generally make around $51,020. Set against $21,897 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.
American University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value food & nutrition schools. Located in the city of Washington, American University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,771. Typical student debt for food & nutrition graduates is $24,139. Food & Nutrition graduates of American University earn a median of $48,321 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,139 median debt. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Other Food & Nutrition Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Food & Nutrition rankings across degree levels:
View All Food & Nutrition Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 13 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.
