2027 Best Value Human Nutrition Schools
[Human Nutrition](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/food-nutrition-services/human-nutrition/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 26 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for human nutrition students.
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Finding the Best Value Human Nutrition School for You
The right human nutrition school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed our Best Value Human Nutrition Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
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One Size Does Not Fit All
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Human Nutrition Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
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2027 Best Value Human Nutrition Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in human nutrition, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Human Nutrition Schools
For return on investment in human nutrition, no school beat Lamar University this year. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,905, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Students borrow a median of $21,482 to complete the human nutrition program here. Human Nutrition graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $52,678 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,482 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Southern Utah University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value human nutrition schools. Located in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,962 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,192 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,050 to complete the human nutrition program here. Soon after graduation, human nutrition degree recipients from Southern Utah University generally make around $20,693. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Weber State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in human nutrition, landing the #3 spot this year. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. In-state tuition and fees average $6,557, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Human Nutrition graduates carry a median of $19,176 in student loans. Early-career human nutrition graduates make about $28,714. That is a strong return on a $19,176 median debt.
University Of California Davis came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value human nutrition schools. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,804 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Human Nutrition graduates carry a median of $14,404 in student loans. Early-career human nutrition graduates make about $53,749. That is a strong return on a $14,404 median debt. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of Houston came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value human nutrition schools. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,700 to complete the human nutrition program here. Human Nutrition graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $27,648 early in their careers. Set against $19,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arizona ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value human nutrition schools. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Typical student debt for human nutrition graduates is $21,861. Soon after graduation, human nutrition degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $50,834. That is a strong return on a $21,861 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Prairie View A And M University came in at #7 for value in human nutrition this year. Located in the rural area of Prairie View, Prairie View A And M University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,299, with out-of-state students paying around $26,874. Students borrow a median of $29,824 to complete the human nutrition program here. Human Nutrition graduates of Prairie View A And M University earn a median of $53,784 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,824 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #8 among the best values for human nutrition. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Typical student debt for human nutrition graduates is $26,654. Early-career human nutrition graduates make about $34,540. Set against $26,654 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value human nutrition schools. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Indiana. Students from in state pay about $11,380 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,297 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the human nutrition program here. Soon after graduation, human nutrition degree recipients from Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus generally make around $42,972. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Texas State University San Marcos came in at #10 for value in human nutrition this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Students borrow a median of $23,354 to complete the human nutrition program here. Soon after graduation, human 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%.
Winthrop University placed #11 among the best values for human nutrition. Winthrop University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rock Hill. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,678, while out-of-state students pay about $28,676. Typical student debt for human nutrition graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, human nutrition degree recipients from Winthrop University generally make around $39,378. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Cedar Crest College placed #12 among the best values for human nutrition. Located in the city of Allentown, Cedar Crest College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,314. Human Nutrition graduates carry a median of $30,759 in student loans. Early-career human 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 earned the #13 position for value in human nutrition this year. South Dakota State University is a large public school located in the town of Brookings. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,299, while out-of-state students pay about $12,809. Typical student debt for human nutrition graduates is $24,989. Early-career human nutrition graduates make about $51,260. That is a strong return on a $24,989 median debt. South Dakota State University admits about 98% of applicants.
University Of Rhode Island landed the #14 spot for human nutrition value this year. Set in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,942, compared with $37,146 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,432 to complete the human nutrition program here. Soon after graduation, human nutrition degree recipients from University Of Rhode Island generally make around $52,821. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Rhode Island admits about 72% of applicants.
Johnson And Wales University Online earned the #15 position for value in human nutrition this year. Located in the city of Providence, Johnson And Wales University Online is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,365. Human Nutrition graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career human nutrition graduates make about $32,586. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
The University Of Alabama came in at #16 for value in human nutrition this year. Set in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,180, compared with $34,172 for out-of-state students. Human Nutrition graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Human Nutrition graduates of The University Of Alabama earn a median of $48,139 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Grand Canyon University placed #17 among the best values for human nutrition. Set in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $18,508 in tuition and fees. Human Nutrition graduates carry a median of $30,027 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human nutrition degree recipients from Grand Canyon University generally make around $56,285. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Grand Canyon University admits about 79% of applicants.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania came in at #18 for value in human nutrition this year. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the suburb of West Chester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,775, compared with $22,599 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $61,258 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Meredith College came in at #19 for value in human nutrition this year. Meredith College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Raleigh. Students from in state pay about $45,630 in tuition and fees. Human Nutrition graduates carry a median of $26,618 in student loans. Early-career human nutrition graduates make about $22,422. That is a strong return on a $26,618 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
University Of Bridgeport earned the #20 position for value in human nutrition this year. University Of Bridgeport is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bridgeport. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,760. Typical student debt for human nutrition graduates is $28,601. Soon after graduation, human nutrition degree recipients from University Of Bridgeport generally make around $54,775. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Nova Southeastern University came in at #21 for value in human nutrition this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Lauderdale, Nova Southeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,700 in tuition and fees. Human Nutrition graduates carry a median of $25,021 in student loans. Human Nutrition graduates of Nova Southeastern University earn a median of $70,595 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,021 median debt. Nova Southeastern University admits about 73% of applicants.
Merrimack College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value human nutrition schools. Merrimack College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of North Andover. In-state tuition and fees average $53,962. Human Nutrition graduates carry a median of $26,913 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human nutrition degree recipients from Merrimack College generally make around $50,506. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Merrimack College admits about 70% of applicants.
University Of New England landed the #23 spot for human nutrition value this year. University Of New England is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Biddeford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,210. Students borrow a median of $26,838 to complete the human nutrition program here. Human Nutrition graduates of University Of New England earn a median of $53,306 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,838 median debt. University Of New England admits about 92% of applicants.
Syracuse University placed #24 among the best values for human nutrition. Located in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,528. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the human nutrition program here. Soon after graduation, human nutrition degree recipients from Syracuse University generally make around $44,219. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Baylor University earned the #25 position for value in human nutrition this year. Located in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,100. Typical student debt for human nutrition graduates is $26,757. Soon after graduation, human nutrition degree recipients from Baylor University generally make around $49,888. Set against $26,757 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 51% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 26 Best Value Human Nutrition Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in human nutrition:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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.
