[Food, Nutrition & Related Services](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/food-nutrition-services/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 81 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for food, nutrition & related services students.
Finding the Best Value Food, Nutrition & Related Services School for You
Where you study food, nutrition & related services affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we built our Best Value Food, Nutrition & Related Services Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Food, Nutrition & Related Services 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.
Moorpark College tops our 2027 list of the best value food, nutrition & related services schools in the United States. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Early-career food, nutrition & related services graduates make about $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Lehman College one of the best values for food, nutrition & related services. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Typical student debt for food, nutrition & related services graduates is $13,213. Early-career food, nutrition & related services graduates make about $63,287. Set against $13,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Cuny Hunter College one of the best values for food, nutrition & related services. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete the food, nutrition & related services program here. Soon after graduation, food, nutrition & related services degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $39,756. Set against $11,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in food, nutrition & related services will find it at Santa Monica College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
Central New Mexico Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value food, nutrition & related services schools. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,060, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete the food, nutrition & related services program here. Early-career food, nutrition & related services graduates make about $34,751. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.
San Diego Mesa College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value food, nutrition & related services schools. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for food, nutrition & related services graduates is $6,999. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $29,852 early in their careers. Set against $6,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Arizona College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value food, nutrition & related services schools. Located in the rural area of Coolidge, Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,250, compared with $4,500 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for food, nutrition & related services graduates is $11,635. Soon after graduation, food, nutrition & related services degree recipients from Central Arizona College generally make around $48,826. Set against $11,635 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Albemarle placed #8 among the best values for food, nutrition & related services. Located in the town of Elizabeth City, College Of The Albemarle is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,242, while out-of-state students pay about $7,652. Typical student debt for food, nutrition & related services graduates is $10,240. Soon after graduation, food, nutrition & related services degree recipients from College Of The Albemarle generally make around $50,506. Set against $10,240 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mt San Antonio College came in at #9 for value in food, nutrition & related services this year. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the food, nutrition & related services program here. Early-career food, nutrition & related services graduates make about $44,391. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Long Beach City College earned the #10 position for value in food, nutrition & related services this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,556, compared with $12,544 for out-of-state students. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Median earnings reach $38,870 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Carolina Community College earned the #11 position for value in food, nutrition & related services this year. Located in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,711, compared with $8,855 for out-of-state students. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates carry a median of $10,266 in student loans. Early-career food, nutrition & related services graduates make about $38,198. That is a strong return on a $10,266 median debt.
Fullerton College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value food, nutrition & related services schools. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, Fullerton College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,151, while out-of-state students pay about $12,379. Median earnings reach $43,366 ten years out.
Ivy Tech Community College landed the #13 spot for food, nutrition & related services value this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,154 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates carry a median of $11,889 in student loans. Soon after graduation, food, nutrition & related services degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $40,734. Set against $11,889 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Portland State University earned the #14 position for value in food, nutrition & related services this year. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,118, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Students borrow a median of $26,475 to complete the food, nutrition & related services program here. Soon after graduation, food, nutrition & related services degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $47,717. Set against $26,475 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Lamar University came in at #15 for value in food, nutrition & related services this year. 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 & related services graduates is $21,482. Early-career food, nutrition & related services graduates make about $52,678. Set against $21,482 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
North Carolina A And T State University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value food, nutrition & related services schools. Set in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,813 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,673. Typical student debt for food, nutrition & related services graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, food, nutrition & related services degree recipients from North Carolina A And T State University generally make around $50,715. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. North Carolina A And T State University admits about 50% of applicants.
Southern Utah University came in at #17 for value in food, nutrition & related services this year. Set in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,962, compared with $21,192 for out-of-state students. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates carry a median of $15,050 in student loans. Early-career food, nutrition & related services graduates make about $20,693. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Weber State University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value food, nutrition & related services schools. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,557, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Students borrow a median of $19,176 to complete the food, nutrition & related services program here. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $28,714 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas Womans University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value food, nutrition & related services schools. 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, compared with $18,480 for out-of-state students. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates carry a median of $14,104 in student loans. Soon after graduation, food, nutrition & related services degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $46,399. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas Womans University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill placed #20 among the best values for food, nutrition & related services. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Students borrow a median of $15,117 to complete the food, nutrition & related services program here. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $23,633 early in their careers. Set against $15,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
East Los Angeles College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value food, nutrition & related services schools. East Los Angeles College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Monterey Park. In-state tuition and fees average $1,238, with out-of-state students paying around $10,572. Students borrow a median of $8,180 to complete the food, nutrition & related services program here. Soon after graduation, food, nutrition & related services degree recipients from East Los Angeles College generally make around $33,595. Set against $8,180 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Los Angeles City College came in at #22 for value in food, nutrition & related services this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Los Angeles City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,238, while out-of-state students pay about $10,572. Typical student debt for food, nutrition & related services graduates is $10,763. Soon after graduation, food, nutrition & related services degree recipients from Los Angeles City College generally make around $83,699. Set against $10,763 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Halifax Community College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value food, nutrition & related services schools. Halifax Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Weldon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,608, compared with $8,752 for out-of-state students. Early-career food, nutrition & related services graduates make about $70,982.
Andrews University earned the #24 position for value in food, nutrition & related services this year. Located in the town of Berrien Springs, Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $35,056 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for food, nutrition & related services graduates is $26,314. Food, Nutrition & Related Services 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. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus landed the #25 spot for food, nutrition & related services value this year. Located in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,772, while out-of-state students pay about $28,600. Students borrow a median of $22,444 to complete the food, nutrition & related services program here. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates of University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn a median of $50,876 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,444 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Food, Nutrition & Related Services Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in food, nutrition & related services:
This list is compiled 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 · 81 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 81 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).
[Food, Nutrition & Related Services](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/food-nutrition-services/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
