[Food, Nutrition & Related Services](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/food-nutrition-services/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong food, nutrition & related services education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 41 schools to find the best return on investment for food, nutrition & related services students.
What’s on this page:
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 Lehman College tops our 2027 list of the best value food, nutrition & related services schools in the United States. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for food, nutrition & related services graduates is $13,213. Soon after graduation, food, nutrition & related services degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $63,287. Set against $13,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Cuny Hunter College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in food, nutrition & related services, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete the food, nutrition & related services program here. Early-career food, nutrition & related services graduates make about $39,756. Set against $11,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Lamar University one of the best values for food, nutrition & related services. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. In-state tuition and fees average $8,905, with out-of-state students paying around $18,745. Typical student debt for food, nutrition & related services graduates is $21,482. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $52,678 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas Womans University earned it the #4 place for food, nutrition & related services. Set in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,640, compared with $18,480 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for food, nutrition & related services graduates is $14,104. 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%.
Andrews University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value food, nutrition & related services schools. Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Berrien Springs. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,056. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates carry a median of $26,314 in student loans. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates of Andrews University earn a median of $62,634 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus placed #6 among the best values for food, nutrition & related services. University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of University. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,772, compared with $28,600 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $22,444 median debt. University Of Mississippi Main Campus admits about 97% of applicants.
University Of California Davis placed #7 among the best values for food, nutrition & related services. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates carry a median of $14,404 in student loans. Early-career food, nutrition & related services graduates make about $53,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston placed #8 among the best values for food, nutrition & related services. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Students borrow a median of $19,700 to complete the food, nutrition & related services program here. Early-career food, nutrition & related services graduates make about $27,648. Set against $19,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
North Dakota State University Main Campus earned the #9 position for value in food, nutrition & related services this year. Set in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,910, while out-of-state students pay about $15,564. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates carry a median of $25,153 in student loans. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates of North Dakota State University Main Campus earn a median of $60,498 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,153 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arizona placed #10 among the best values for food, nutrition & related services. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Typical student debt for food, nutrition & related services graduates is $21,861. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $50,834 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,861 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Framingham State University placed #11 among the best values for food, nutrition & related services. Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Framingham. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,920, while out-of-state students pay about $18,000. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates carry a median of $26,674 in student loans. Soon after graduation, food, nutrition & related services degree recipients from Framingham State University generally make around $41,932. That is a strong return on a $26,674 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
East Carolina University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value food, nutrition & related services schools. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,361, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates carry a median of $24,747 in student loans. Early-career food, nutrition & related services graduates make about $51,931. That is a strong return on a $24,747 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value food, nutrition & related services schools. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Students borrow a median of $26,654 to complete the food, nutrition & related services program here. Early-career food, nutrition & related services graduates make about $34,540. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value food, nutrition & related services schools. Set in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,140, while out-of-state students pay about $33,060. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Early-career food, nutrition & related services graduates make about $27,978. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Winthrop University landed the #15 spot for food, nutrition & related services value this year. Set in the city of Rock Hill, Winthrop University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,678, with out-of-state students paying around $28,676. Typical student debt for food, nutrition & related services graduates is $27,000. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates of Winthrop University earn a median of $39,378 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value food, nutrition & related services schools. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Indiana. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,380, while out-of-state students pay about $16,297. 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 $58,641. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Central Arkansas landed the #17 spot for food, nutrition & related services value this year. University Of Central Arkansas is a large public school located in the city of Conway. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,523, with out-of-state students paying around $18,023. Typical student debt for food, nutrition & related services graduates is $22,906. Early-career food, nutrition & related services graduates make about $43,187. Set against $22,906 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln landed the #18 spot for food, nutrition & related services value this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,434 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,256 to complete the food, nutrition & related services program here. Soon after graduation, food, nutrition & related services degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $45,327. That is a strong return on a $25,256 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Central Michigan University earned the #19 position for value in food, nutrition & related services this year. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,480 in tuition and fees. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates carry a median of $27,857 in student loans. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of $63,726 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,857 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Texas State University San Marcos came in at #20 for value in food, nutrition & related services this year. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Typical student debt for food, nutrition & related services graduates is $23,354. Early-career food, nutrition & related services graduates make about $36,601. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Cedar Crest College earned the #21 position for value in food, nutrition & related services this year. Cedar Crest College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Allentown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,314. Students borrow a median of $30,759 to complete the food, nutrition & related services program here. Soon after graduation, food, nutrition & related services degree recipients from Cedar Crest College generally make around $62,345. That is a strong return on a $30,759 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
South Dakota State University placed #22 among the best values for food, nutrition & related services. Located in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,299, with out-of-state students paying around $12,809. Typical student debt for food, nutrition & related services graduates is $24,989. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates of South Dakota State University earn a median of $51,260 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
University Of Rhode Island placed #23 among the best values for food, nutrition & related services. University Of Rhode Island is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kingston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,942, with out-of-state students paying around $37,146. Students borrow a median of $23,432 to complete the food, nutrition & related services program here. Early-career food, nutrition & related services graduates make about $52,821. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Johnson And Wales University Online ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value food, nutrition & related services schools. Set in the city of Providence, Johnson And Wales University Online is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,365. Typical student debt for food, nutrition & related services graduates is $27,000. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates of Johnson And Wales University Online earn a median of $32,586 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Alabama earned the #25 position for value in food, nutrition & related services this year. Set in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,172. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the food, nutrition & related services program here. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates of The University Of Alabama earn a median of $58,442 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
These schools also delivered strong value for food, nutrition & related services this year:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Food, Nutrition & Related Services rankings across degree levels:
View All Food, Nutrition & Related Services Rankings >
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 · 41 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 41 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.
