2027 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.
College Factual analyzed 28 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value food & nutrition schools.
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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 Lehman College tops our 2027 list of the best value food & nutrition schools in the United States. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,213 to complete the food & nutrition program here. Soon after graduation, food & nutrition degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $63,287. Set against $13,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in food & nutrition will find it at Cuny Hunter College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Food & Nutrition graduates carry a median of $11,091 in student loans. Early-career food & nutrition graduates make about $39,756. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Lamar University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in food & nutrition, landing the #3 spot this year. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,905, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Students borrow a median of $21,482 to complete the food & nutrition program here. 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. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in food & nutrition will find it at Texas Womans University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,640 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,480. Typical student debt for food & nutrition graduates is $14,104. Early-career food & nutrition graduates make about $46,399. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Andrews University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in food & nutrition, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Berrien Springs, Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,056. Typical student debt for food & nutrition graduates is $26,314. Food & Nutrition graduates of Andrews University earn a median of $62,634 early in their careers. Set against $26,314 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Andrews University admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus came in at #6 for value in food & nutrition this year. University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of University. Students from in state pay about $9,772 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,600. Students borrow a median of $22,444 to complete the food & nutrition program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 97%.
North Dakota State University Main Campus placed #7 among the best values for food & nutrition. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Fargo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,910, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,153 to complete the food & nutrition program here. 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. North Dakota State University Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of Arizona landed the #8 spot for food & nutrition value this year. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Typical student debt for food & nutrition graduates is $21,861. Food & Nutrition graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $50,834 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,861 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Framingham State University landed the #9 spot for food & nutrition value 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. Students borrow a median of $26,674 to complete the food & nutrition program here. Food & Nutrition graduates of Framingham State University earn a median of $41,932 early in their careers. Set against $26,674 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Framingham State University admits about 84% of applicants.
East Carolina University placed #10 among the best values for food & nutrition. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Typical student debt for food & nutrition graduates is $24,747. 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. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus placed #11 among the best values for food & nutrition. Located in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,140 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,060. Food & Nutrition graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Early-career food & nutrition graduates make about $27,978. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus landed the #12 spot for food & nutrition value this year. Located in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Early-career food & nutrition graduates make about $58,641. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Central Arkansas ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value food & nutrition schools. Located in the city of Conway, University Of Central Arkansas is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,523, while out-of-state students pay about $18,023. Food & Nutrition graduates carry a median of $22,906 in student loans. Early-career food & nutrition graduates make about $43,187. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value food & nutrition schools. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,434, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. Food & Nutrition graduates carry a median of $25,256 in student loans. Food & Nutrition graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $45,327 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Central Michigan University earned the #15 position for value in food & nutrition this year. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,480. Students borrow a median of $27,857 to complete the food & nutrition program here. Soon after graduation, food & nutrition degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $63,726. That is a strong return on a $27,857 median debt. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.
Texas State University San Marcos ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value food & nutrition schools. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,354 to complete the food & nutrition program here. Soon after graduation, food & nutrition degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $36,601. Set against $23,354 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas State University San Marcos admits about 89% of applicants.
Cedar Crest College placed #17 among the best values for food & nutrition. Set in the city of Allentown, Cedar Crest College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $46,314. Students borrow a median of $30,759 to complete the food & nutrition program here. Early-career food & nutrition graduates make about $62,345. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
South Dakota State University came in at #18 for value in food & nutrition this year. Located in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,299, while out-of-state students pay about $12,809. Food & Nutrition graduates carry a median of $24,989 in student loans. Early-career food & nutrition graduates make about $51,260. Set against $24,989 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Rhode Island earned the #19 position for value in food & nutrition this year. University Of Rhode Island is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kingston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,942, with out-of-state students paying around $37,146. Students borrow a median of $23,432 to complete the food & nutrition program here. Soon after graduation, food & nutrition degree recipients from University Of Rhode Island generally make around $52,821. Set against $23,432 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Arizona State University Skysong placed #20 among the best values for food & nutrition. Set in the city of Scottsdale, Arizona State University Skysong is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,627, compared with $13,925 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for food & nutrition graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, food & nutrition degree recipients from Arizona State University Skysong generally make around $53,540. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Alabama landed the #21 spot for food & nutrition value this year. The University Of Alabama is a very large public school located in the city of Tuscaloosa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,180, with out-of-state students paying around $34,172. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the food & nutrition program here. Soon after graduation, food & nutrition degree recipients from The University Of Alabama generally make around $50,740. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Mississippi placed #22 among the best values for food & nutrition. Set in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,998, with out-of-state students paying around $11,998. Food & Nutrition graduates carry a median of $25,415 in student loans. Food & Nutrition graduates of University Of Southern Mississippi earn a median of $52,338 early in their careers. Set against $25,415 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Southern Mississippi admits about 99% of applicants.
Benedictine University came in at #23 for value in food & nutrition this year. Set in the suburb of Lisle, Benedictine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,648. Food & Nutrition graduates carry a median of $26,675 in student loans. Food & Nutrition graduates of Benedictine University earn a median of $51,768 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Meredith College earned the #24 position for value in food & nutrition this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, Meredith College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $45,630 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for food & nutrition graduates is $26,618. 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. Meredith College admits about 74% of applicants.
Lipscomb University came in at #25 for value in food & nutrition this year. Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,572. Typical student debt for food & nutrition graduates is $23,529. Soon after graduation, food & nutrition degree recipients from Lipscomb University generally make around $48,949. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Rest of the Top 28 Best Value Food & Nutrition Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in food & nutrition:
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
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 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.
