[Food, Nutrition & Related Services](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/food-nutrition-services/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 36 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for food, nutrition & related services students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the food, nutrition & related services degrees they offer, see the list below.
Cuny Hunter College earned the #1 spot for value among food, nutrition & related services schools in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, 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. That is a strong return on a $11,091 median debt. The acceptance rate is 54%.
North Carolina A And T State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in food, nutrition & related services, landing the #2 spot this year. 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, compared with $20,673 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for food, nutrition & related services graduates is $31,000. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates of North Carolina A And T State University earn a median of $50,715 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Utah University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in food, nutrition & related services, landing the #3 spot this year. Southern Utah University is a very large public school located in the town of Cedar City. 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. 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.
Students looking for strong value in food, nutrition & related services will find it at Weber State University, which ranked #4. 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. Soon after graduation, food, nutrition & related services degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $28,714. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in food, nutrition & related services will find it at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $23,633 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,117 median debt. The acceptance rate is 15%.
Wayne State University earned the #6 position for value in food, nutrition & related services this year. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,750 to complete the food, nutrition & related services program here. Early-career food, nutrition & related services graduates make about $34,303. Set against $22,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value food, nutrition & related services schools. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Students borrow a median of $19,700 to complete the food, nutrition & related services program here. Soon after graduation, food, nutrition & related services degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $27,648. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Middle Tennessee State University landed the #8 spot for food, nutrition & related services value this year. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,266, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Students borrow a median of $25,853 to complete the food, nutrition & related services program here. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $30,835 early in their careers. Set against $25,853 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
Prairie View A And M University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value food, nutrition & related services schools. Prairie View A And M University is a large public school located in the rural area of Prairie View. Students from in state pay about $11,299 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,874. Typical student debt for food, nutrition & related services graduates is $29,824. Early-career food, nutrition & related services graduates make about $53,784. That is a strong return on a $29,824 median debt. Prairie View A And M University admits about 79% of applicants.
University Of Idaho came in at #10 for value in food, nutrition & related services this year. University Of Idaho is a large public school located in the town of Moscow. In-state tuition and fees average $9,084, while out-of-state students pay about $28,320. Typical student debt for food, nutrition & related services graduates is $29,566. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates of University Of Idaho earn a median of $35,212 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Morgan State University placed #11 among the best values for food, nutrition & related services. Set in the city of Baltimore, Morgan State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,229, compared with $19,124 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for food, nutrition & related services graduates is $34,537. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates of Morgan State University earn a median of $49,736 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $34,537 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Framingham State University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value food, nutrition & related services schools. Set in the city of Framingham, Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,920, with out-of-state students paying around $18,000. Students borrow a median of $26,674 to complete the food, nutrition & related services program here. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates of Framingham State University earn a median of $41,932 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,674 median debt. Framingham State University admits about 84% of applicants.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus placed #13 among the best values for food, nutrition & related services. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. In-state tuition and fees average $10,110, with out-of-state students paying around $25,630. Typical student debt for food, nutrition & related services graduates is $19,584. Food, Nutrition & Related Services 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. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #14 among the best values for food, nutrition & related services. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for food, nutrition & related services graduates is $26,654. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $34,540 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Delaware earned the #15 position for value in food, nutrition & related services this year. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,810, while out-of-state students pay about $41,400. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates carry a median of $25,536 in student loans. Soon after graduation, food, nutrition & related services degree recipients from University Of Delaware generally make around $39,066. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Southern University came in at #16 for value in food, nutrition & related services this year. Set in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,022, while out-of-state students pay about $17,734. Typical student debt for food, nutrition & related services graduates is $26,500. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates of Georgia Southern University earn a median of $45,531 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #17 for value in food, nutrition & related services this year. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. Students from in state pay about $10,434 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Typical student debt for food, nutrition & related services graduates is $25,256. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $33,728 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,256 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Winthrop University came in at #18 for value in food, nutrition & related services this year. Winthrop University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rock Hill. In-state tuition and fees average $14,678, compared with $28,676 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for food, nutrition & related services graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, food, nutrition & related services degree recipients from Winthrop University generally make around $39,378. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Texas State University San Marcos earned the #19 position for value in food, nutrition & related services this year. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates carry a median of $23,354 in student loans. Early-career food, nutrition & related services graduates make about $36,601. Set against $23,354 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas State University San Marcos admits about 89% of applicants.
Sam Houston State University landed the #20 spot for food, nutrition & related services value this year. Sam Houston State University is a very large public school located in the town of Huntsville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,228, compared with $19,068 for out-of-state students. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates carry a median of $24,850 in student loans. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates of Sam Houston State University earn a median of $46,365 early in their careers. Set against $24,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Sam Houston State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earned the #21 position for value in food, nutrition & related services this year. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Indiana. In-state tuition and fees average $11,380, compared with $16,297 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the food, nutrition & related services program here. Soon after graduation, food, nutrition & related services degree recipients from Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus generally make around $23,996. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Arkansas came in at #22 for value in food, nutrition & related services this year. Located in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $29,966. Typical student debt for food, nutrition & related services graduates is $24,400. Early-career food, nutrition & related services graduates make about $31,986. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Waldorf College earned the #23 position for value in food, nutrition & related services this year. Waldorf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Forest City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,978. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates carry a median of $24,622 in student loans. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates of Waldorf College earn a median of $63,346 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Waldorf College admits about 77% of applicants.
Johnson And Wales University Online placed #24 among the best values for food, nutrition & related services. Johnson And Wales University Online is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. In-state tuition and fees average $13,365. Typical student debt for food, nutrition & related services graduates is $27,000. Early-career food, nutrition & related services graduates make about $32,586. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Bluffton University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value food, nutrition & related services schools. Located in the rural area of Bluffton, Bluffton University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,362. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career food, nutrition & related services graduates make about $41,821. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bluffton University admits about 67% of applicants.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s food, nutrition & related services value ranking:
Explore the best-value food, nutrition & related services schools at other degree levels:
View All Food, Nutrition & Related Services 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 · 36 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 36 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.
