by our College Data Analytics Team
[Food Nutrition Services](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/food-nutrition-services/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 19 schools to find where food nutrition services graduates earn the most.
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Below are the schools whose food nutrition services graduates go on to earn the most.
For graduate earnings in food nutrition services, no school beat Simmons College this year. Located in the city of Boston, Simmons College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career food nutrition services graduates from Simmons College make a median of around $64,455 per year.
A rank of #2 makes Central Michigan University one of the highest-paying schools for food nutrition services. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a public institution. Food Nutrition Services graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of about $65,031 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #3 makes Cuny Lehman College one of the highest-paying schools for food nutrition services. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a public institution. Early-career food nutrition services graduates from Cuny Lehman College make a median of around $63,287 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in food nutrition services will find them at Cedar Crest College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Allentown, Cedar Crest College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the food nutrition services program here go on to a median salary of roughly $62,345.
A rank of #5 makes North Dakota State University Main Campus one of the highest-paying schools for food nutrition services. Located in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a public institution. After graduating, food nutrition services degree recipients from North Dakota State University Main Campus typically earn about $63,151 annually.
New York University placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for food nutrition services. New York University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Food Nutrition Services graduates of New York University earn a median of about $76,175 a year early in their careers.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for food nutrition services. Located in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a public institution. Food Nutrition Services graduates of Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earn a median of about $58,641 a year early in their careers.
The University Of Alabama earned the #8 position for food nutrition services graduate earnings this year. The University Of Alabama is a public school located in the city of Tuscaloosa. Students who complete the food nutrition services program here go on to a median salary of roughly $58,442.
College Of Saint Elizabeth earned the #9 position for food nutrition services graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Morristown, College Of Saint Elizabeth is a private not-for-profit institution. Food Nutrition Services graduates of College Of Saint Elizabeth earn a median of about $58,330 a year early in their careers.
Case Western Reserve University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying food nutrition services schools. Set in the city of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career food nutrition services graduates from Case Western Reserve University make a median of around $66,569 per year.
Winthrop University landed the #11 spot for food nutrition services salaries this year. Located in the city of Rock Hill, Winthrop University is a public institution. Early-career food nutrition services graduates from Winthrop University make a median of around $56,351 per year.
Arizona State University Skysong earned the #12 position for food nutrition services graduate earnings this year. Arizona State University Skysong is a public school located in the city of Scottsdale. After graduating, food nutrition services degree recipients from Arizona State University Skysong typically earn about $59,855 annually.
University Of Bridgeport landed the #13 spot for food nutrition services salaries this year. Located in the city of Bridgeport, University Of Bridgeport is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career food nutrition services graduates from University Of Bridgeport make a median of around $54,775 per year.
University Of New England landed the #14 spot for food nutrition services salaries this year. Set in the suburb of Biddeford, University Of New England is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, food nutrition services degree recipients from University Of New England typically earn about $53,306 annually.
Benedictine University earned the #15 position for food nutrition services graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Lisle, Benedictine University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, food nutrition services degree recipients from Benedictine University typically earn about $51,768 annually.
Cuny Hunter College came in at #16 for food nutrition services graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a public institution. Early-career food nutrition services graduates from Cuny Hunter College make a median of around $68,693 per year.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln landed the #17 spot for food nutrition services salaries this year. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a public school located in the city of Lincoln. Food Nutrition Services graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of about $58,877 a year early in their careers.
American University came in at #18 for food nutrition services graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Washington, American University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, food nutrition services degree recipients from American University typically earn about $48,321 annually.
Meredith College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying food nutrition services schools. Set in the city of Raleigh, Meredith College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the food nutrition services program here go on to a median salary of roughly $54,133.
Looking for a different degree level? Compare highest-paid Food Nutrition Services rankings across degree levels:
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their food nutrition services graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 19 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
