[Food, Nutrition & Related Services](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/food-nutrition-services/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. 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.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in food, nutrition & related services, balancing cost against outcomes.
Texas Womans University earned the #1 spot for value among food, nutrition & related services schools in the United States. Texas Womans University is a large public school located in the city of Denton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,640, with out-of-state students paying around $18,480. Typical student debt for food, nutrition & related services graduates is $14,104. 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. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in food, nutrition & related services, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of University. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates of University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn a median of $50,876 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina A And T State University came in at #3 on our 2026 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. 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. 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. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Students looking for strong value in food, nutrition & related services will find it at Lamar University, which ranked #4. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates carry a median of $21,482 in student loans. 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%.
Students looking for strong value in food, nutrition & related services will find it at University Of Houston, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. 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 food, nutrition & related services program here. Food, Nutrition & Related Services 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. The acceptance rate is 74%.
University Of Southern Mississippi came in at #6 for value in food, nutrition & related services this year. Set in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,998, while out-of-state students pay about $11,998. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates carry a median of $25,415 in student loans. Soon after graduation, food, nutrition & related services degree recipients from University Of Southern Mississippi generally make around $52,338. That is a strong return on a $25,415 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
University Of Arizona landed the #7 spot for food, nutrition & related services value this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates carry a median of $21,861 in student loans. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $50,834 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
North Dakota State University Main Campus came in at #8 for value in food, nutrition & related services this year. Located in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,910, while out-of-state students pay about $15,564. Typical student debt for food, nutrition & related services graduates is $25,153. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates of North Dakota State University Main Campus earn a median of $60,498 early in their careers. Set against $25,153 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
East Carolina University came in at #9 for value in food, nutrition & related services this year. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Set against $24,747 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Central Michigan University landed the #10 spot for food, nutrition & related services value this year. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. 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. Soon after graduation, food, nutrition & related services degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $63,726. Set against $27,857 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Texas State University San Marcos placed #11 among the best values for food, nutrition & related services. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. 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. That is a strong return on a $23,354 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Framingham State University came in at #12 for value in food, nutrition & related services this year. Set in the city of Framingham, Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,920, while out-of-state students pay about $18,000. Typical student debt for food, nutrition & related services graduates is $26,674. Soon after graduation, food, nutrition & related services degree recipients from Framingham State University generally make around $41,932. Set against $26,674 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Framingham State University admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #13 for value in food, nutrition & related services this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants.
Winthrop University landed the #14 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. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. 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. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Arkansas earned the #15 position for value in food, nutrition & related services this year. Located in the city of Conway, University Of Central Arkansas is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,523, compared with $18,023 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,906 to complete the food, nutrition & related services program here. Soon after graduation, food, nutrition & related services degree recipients from University Of Central Arkansas generally make around $43,187. Set against $22,906 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Arkansas admits about 90% of applicants.
South Dakota State University placed #16 among the best values for food, nutrition & related services. Set in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public institution. 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 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. Set against $24,989 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
College Of Saint Elizabeth landed the #17 spot for food, nutrition & related services value this year. College Of Saint Elizabeth is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Morristown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,740. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates carry a median of $25,496 in student loans. Early-career food, nutrition & related services graduates make about $58,330. That is a strong return on a $25,496 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Meredith College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value food, nutrition & related services schools. Located in the city of Raleigh, Meredith College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,630. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates carry a median of $26,618 in student loans. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates of Meredith College earn a median of $22,422 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania placed #19 among the best values for food, nutrition & related services. Set in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,775 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,599. Median earnings reach $61,258 ten years out. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania admits about 78% of applicants.
The University Of Alabama landed the #20 spot for food, nutrition & related services value this year. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,172. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the food, nutrition & related services program here. Early-career food, nutrition & related services graduates make about $58,442. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The University Of Alabama admits about 77% of applicants.
Arizona State University Skysong landed the #21 spot for food, nutrition & related services value this year. Set in the city of Scottsdale, Arizona State University Skysong is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,627, with out-of-state students paying around $13,925. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the food, nutrition & related services program here. Early-career food, nutrition & related services graduates make about $53,540. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Johnson And Wales University Online ranked #22 on our 2026 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Johnson And Wales University Online admits about 91% of applicants.
Benedictine University landed the #23 spot for food, nutrition & related services value this year. Located in the suburb of Lisle, Benedictine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,648. Students borrow a median of $26,675 to complete the food, nutrition & related services program here. Early-career food, nutrition & related services graduates make about $51,768. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Lipscomb University earned the #24 position for value in food, nutrition & related services this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $40,572. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete the food, nutrition & related services program here. Soon after graduation, food, nutrition & related services degree recipients from Lipscomb University generally make around $48,949. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lipscomb University admits about 68% of applicants.
University Of Bridgeport placed #25 among the best values for food, nutrition & related services. Located in the city of Bridgeport, University Of Bridgeport is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,760. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates carry a median of $28,601 in student loans. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates of University Of Bridgeport earn a median of $54,775 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,601 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
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
This ranking is produced 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 20 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.
