[Food, Nutrition & Related Services](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/food-nutrition-services/) 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 272 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value food, nutrition & related services schools.
Finding the Best Value Food, Nutrition & Related Services School for You
The right food, nutrition & related services school can pay off for years to come. To help, we created our Best Value Food, Nutrition & Related Services 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.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Food, Nutrition & Related Services Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this 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.
For return on investment in food, nutrition & related services, no school beat Cuny Hunter College this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates carry a median of $11,091 in student loans. Early-career food, nutrition & related services graduates make about $39,756. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Students looking for strong value in food, nutrition & related services will find it at Central New Mexico Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Early-career food, nutrition & related services graduates make about $34,751. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Mt San Antonio College earned it the #3 place for food, nutrition & related services. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. 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. Soon after graduation, food, nutrition & related services degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Carolina Community College earned it the #4 place for food, nutrition & related services. Located in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,711, while out-of-state students pay about $8,855. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates carry a median of $10,266 in student loans. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates of Central Carolina Community College earn a median of $38,198 early in their careers. Set against $10,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Arizona College came in at #5 on our 2026 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. 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 & related services program here. Early-career food, nutrition & related services graduates make about $48,826. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Schenectady County Community College earned the #6 position for value in food, nutrition & related services this year. Schenectady County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Schenectady. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,190, with out-of-state students paying around $8,974. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,902 ten years after entry.
Long Beach City College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value food, nutrition & related services schools. Set in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,556, with out-of-state students paying around $12,544. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the food, nutrition & related services program here. Median earnings reach $38,870 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Allan Hancock College earned the #8 position for value in food, nutrition & related services this year. Set in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, compared with $9,892 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,786 ten years out.
College Of The Albemarle earned the #9 position for value in food, nutrition & related services this year. College Of The Albemarle is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Elizabeth City. Students from in state pay about $2,242 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,652. Students borrow a median of $10,240 to complete the food, nutrition & related services program here. 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.
Ivy Tech Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value food, nutrition & related services schools. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,154, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for food, nutrition & related services graduates is $11,889. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $40,734 early in their careers. Set against $11,889 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Halifax Community College landed the #11 spot for food, nutrition & related services value this year. Located in the rural area of Weldon, Halifax Community College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,608, with out-of-state students paying around $8,752. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates of Halifax Community College earn a median of $70,982 early in their careers.
Texas Womans University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value food, nutrition & related services schools. Texas Womans University is a large public school located in the city of Denton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,640, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates carry a median of $14,104 in student loans. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates of Texas Womans University earn a median of $46,399 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,104 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Rio Salado College placed #13 among the best values for food, nutrition & related services. Located in the city of Tempe, Rio Salado College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,958. Typical student debt for food, nutrition & related services graduates is $13,679. Soon after graduation, food, nutrition & related services degree recipients from Rio Salado College generally make around $48,564. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
East Los Angeles College placed #14 among the best values for food, nutrition & related services. East Los Angeles College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Monterey Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,238, compared with $10,572 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for food, nutrition & related services graduates is $8,180. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates of East Los Angeles College earn a median of $33,595 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Community College Of Denver came in at #15 for value in food, nutrition & related services this year. Set in the city of Denver, Community College Of Denver is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,058, with out-of-state students paying around $17,658. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates carry a median of $18,830 in student loans. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates of Community College Of Denver earn a median of $45,202 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,830 median debt.
Eastern Kentucky University came in at #16 for value in food, nutrition & related services this year. Set in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,320 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,230. Students borrow a median of $25,122 to complete the food, nutrition & related services program here. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates of Eastern Kentucky University earn a median of $43,891 early in their careers. Set against $25,122 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Weber State University ranked #17 on our 2026 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. Students from in state pay about $6,557 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates carry a median of $19,176 in student loans. Early-career food, nutrition & related services graduates make about $28,714. That is a strong return on a $19,176 median debt.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value food, nutrition & related services schools. 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. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates carry a median of $22,444 in student loans. Soon after graduation, food, nutrition & related services degree recipients from University Of Mississippi Main Campus generally make around $50,876. Set against $22,444 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina A And T State University placed #19 among the best values for food, nutrition & related services. North Carolina A And T State University is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. In-state tuition and fees average $6,813, while out-of-state students pay about $20,673. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the food, nutrition & related services program here. 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. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Utah University placed #20 among the best values for food, nutrition & related services. Set in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,962, while out-of-state students pay about $21,192. Typical student debt for food, nutrition & related services graduates is $15,050. Soon after graduation, food, nutrition & related services degree recipients from Southern Utah University generally make around $20,693. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Portland State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value food, nutrition & related services schools. Portland State University is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,118, compared with $29,136 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for food, nutrition & related services graduates is $26,475. Early-career food, nutrition & related services graduates make about $47,717. That is a strong return on a $26,475 median debt. Portland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Lamar University earned the #22 position for value in food, nutrition & related services this year. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,905, with out-of-state students paying around $18,745. Typical student debt for food, nutrition & related services graduates is $21,482. Soon after graduation, food, nutrition & related services degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $52,678. Set against $21,482 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #23 position for value in food, nutrition & related services this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates carry a median of $15,117 in student loans. Early-career food, nutrition & related services graduates make about $23,633. That is a strong return on a $15,117 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
Lincoln University Missouri earned the #24 position for value in food, nutrition & related services this year. Located in the city of Jefferson City, Lincoln University Missouri is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,796, compared with $17,692 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $32,831 to complete the food, nutrition & related services program here. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates of Lincoln University Missouri earn a median of $37,449 early in their careers. Set against $32,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arizona State University placed #25 among the best values for food, nutrition & related services. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for food, nutrition & related services graduates is $25,000. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $44,004 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
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), 2026 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 · 272 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 44 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/) 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.
