2027 Best Value Food & Nutrition Schools in the Southwest Region
[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 10 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 Southwest Region
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 Central New Mexico Community College this year. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Food & Nutrition graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Food & Nutrition graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $34,751 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in food & nutrition will find it at Central Arizona College, which ranked #2. Set in the rural area of Coolidge, Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,250 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,500 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,635 to complete the food & nutrition program here. Soon after graduation, food & nutrition degree recipients from Central Arizona College generally make around $48,826. That is a strong return on a $11,635 median debt.
A rank of #3 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. Students from in state pay about $8,905 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,745 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for food & nutrition graduates is $21,482. Food & Nutrition graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $52,678 early in their careers. Set against $21,482 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.
Texas Womans University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value food & nutrition schools. Texas Womans University is a large public school located in the city of Denton. Students from in state pay about $8,640 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,480. Food & Nutrition graduates carry a median of $14,104 in student loans. Soon after graduation, food & nutrition degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $46,399. Set against $14,104 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
A rank of #5 makes Santa Fe Community College one of the best values for food & nutrition. Set in the rural area of Santa Fe, Santa Fe Community College is a mid-sized public institution. 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. Soon after graduation, food & nutrition degree recipients from Santa Fe Community College generally make around $51,935. Set against $15,267 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus came in at #6 for value in food & nutrition this year. University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,140, while out-of-state students pay about $33,060. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the food & nutrition program here. Early-career food & nutrition graduates make about $27,978. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. University Of New Mexico Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of Arizona placed #7 among the best values for food & nutrition. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Students borrow a median of $21,861 to complete the food & nutrition program here. 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. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Sam Houston State University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value food & nutrition schools. Located in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,228, with out-of-state students paying around $19,068. Food & Nutrition graduates carry a median of $24,850 in student loans. Early-career food & nutrition graduates make about $46,365. That is a strong return on a $24,850 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Texas State University San Marcos ranked #9 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. Food & Nutrition graduates carry a median of $23,354 in student loans. 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. Roughly 89% 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,110, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,584 to complete the food & nutrition program here. Food & Nutrition graduates of Oklahoma State University Main Campus earn a median of $25,076 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,584 median debt. Oklahoma State University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
