College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2023 Most Popular Colleges for Food, Nutrition & Related Services

224 Ranked Colleges
4,858 Degrees Awarded
$32,000 Avg Cost*
Most Well Attended Nutrition Major

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Most Well Attended Nutrition Major” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2020-2021, 4,858 people earned their degree in food, nutrition and related services, making the major the 135th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, food, nutrition and related services graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $34,748 and had an average of $24,931 in loans still to pay off.

This year’s “Most Well Attended Nutrition Major” ranking looked at 224 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in food, nutrition and related services. To top this list, a school must have a successful food, nutrition and related services program that graduates more students in the field than other colleges that offer the same major.

See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Nutrition Rankings Other Ranking Categories

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Most Well Attended Nutrition Major” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Most Well Attended Nutrition Major

The colleges and universities below are the best for nutrition students.

1
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Virginia Tech. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Most Well Attended Nutrition Major list. This large school is located in Blacksburg, Virginia, and it awarded 283 ’s nutrition degrees in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Virginia Tech Food, Nutrition & Related Services Report

2
UA crest
The University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Out of the 224 schools in the Most Well Attended Nutrition Major that were part of this year’s ranking, The University of Alabama landed the #2 spot on the list. UA is a large public school situated in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. It awarded 251 ’s nutrition degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full UA Food, Nutrition & Related Services Report

3
UH crest
University of Houston
Houston, Texas

Out of the 224 schools in the Most Well Attended Nutrition Major that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Houston landed the #3 spot on the list. Houston, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s nutrition degrees to 192 students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full University of Houston Food, Nutrition & Related Services Report

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Arizona State University - Skysong. The school came in at #4 for the Most Well Attended Nutrition Major. Arizona State University - Skysong is a large public school situated in Scottsdale, Arizona. It awarded 182 ’s nutrition degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Food, Nutrition & Related Services at ASU - Skysong

5

Out of the 224 schools in the Most Well Attended Nutrition Major that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Nebraska - Lincoln landed the #5 spot on the list. UNL is located in Lincoln, Nebraska and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 174 ’s nutrition degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Food, Nutrition & Related Services at UNL

6

Johnson & Wales University - Providence landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Nutrition Major ranking. Located in Providence, Rhode Island, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 171 diplomas to qualified ’s nutrition students in 2020-2021.

Full JWU Providence Food, Nutrition & Related Services Report

7

With a ranking of #7, The University of Texas at Austin did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Nutrition Major list. The University of Texas at Austin is a public institution located in Austin, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 158 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Food, Nutrition & Related Services at The University of Texas at Austin

8

Arizona State University - Tempe did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Nutrition Major ranking, coming in at #8. This large school is located in Tempe, Arizona, and it awarded 138 ’s nutrition degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full ASU - Tempe Food, Nutrition & Related Services Report

9

Oklahoma State University - Main Campus came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Nutrition Major ranking. Oklahoma State University - Main Campus is a public institution located in Stillwater, Oklahoma. The school has a large population, and it awarded 111 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Food, Nutrition & Related Services at OSU

10
Wayne State crest
Wayne State University
Detroit, Michigan

Wayne State University landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Nutrition Major ranking. Detroit, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s nutrition degrees to 106 students in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Food, Nutrition & Related Services at Wayne State

11
Texas State crest
Texas State University
San Marcos, Texas

Texas State University did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Nutrition Major ranking, coming in at #11. San Marcos, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s nutrition degrees to 90 students in 2020-2021.

Read more about Food, Nutrition & Related Services at Texas State University

12
UBridgeport crest
University of Bridgeport
Bridgeport, Connecticut

University of Bridgeport did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Nutrition Major ranking, coming in at #12. Located in Bridgeport, Connecticut, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 86 diplomas to qualified ’s nutrition students in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Food, Nutrition & Related Services at University of Bridgeport

13
JWU Online crest
Johnson & Wales University - Online
Providence, Rhode Island

Johnson & Wales University - Online came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Nutrition Major ranking. Providence, Rhode Island is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s nutrition degrees to 79 students in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Food, Nutrition & Related Services at JWU Online

14
Lamar University crest
Lamar University
Beaumont, Texas

Lamar University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Nutrition Major ranking. Lamar University is a public institution located in Beaumont, Texas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 77 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Lamar University Food, Nutrition & Related Services Report

15

Ohio State University - Main Campus came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Nutrition Major ranking. Ohio State University - Main Campus is a large school located in Columbus, Ohio that handed out 75 ’s nutrition degrees in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Food, Nutrition & Related Services at Ohio State

16

Johnson & Wales University - Charlotte did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Nutrition Major ranking, coming in at #16. This small school is located in Charlotte, North Carolina, and it awarded 73 ’s nutrition degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Food, Nutrition & Related Services at Johnson & Wales University - Charlotte

17
UARK crest
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, Arkansas

University of Arkansas came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Nutrition Major ranking. University of Arkansas is a public institution located in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 71 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full UARK Food, Nutrition & Related Services Report

18

Case Western Reserve University ranked #18 on this year’s Most Well Attended Nutrition Major list. Case Western is a private not-for-profit institution located in Cleveland, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 67 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Food, Nutrition & Related Services at Case Western Reserve University

19

Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Nutrition Major ranking. IUP is a public institution located in Indiana, Pennsylvania. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 60 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Full IUP Food, Nutrition & Related Services Report

20
UK crest
University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky

With a ranking of #20, University of Kentucky did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Nutrition Major list. University of Kentucky is a large school located in Lexington, Kentucky that handed out 63 ’s nutrition degrees in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full University of Kentucky Food, Nutrition & Related Services Report

21
The American University crest
American University
Washington, District of Columbia

American University did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Nutrition Major ranking, coming in at #21. American University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Washington, District of Columbia. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 56 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Food, Nutrition & Related Services at The American University

22
Oregon State crest
Oregon State University
Corvallis, Oregon

With a ranking of #22, Oregon State University did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Nutrition Major list. Corvallis, Oregon is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s nutrition degrees to 52 students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Food, Nutrition & Related Services at Oregon State University

23
Middle Tennessee State University crest
Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Middle Tennessee State University ranked #23 on this year’s Most Well Attended Nutrition Major list. Middle Tennessee State University is a large school located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee that handed out 51 ’s nutrition degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Food, Nutrition & Related Services at Middle Tennessee State University

24

University of Missouri - Columbia did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Nutrition Major ranking, coming in at #24. University of Missouri - Columbia is located in Columbia, Missouri and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 50 ’s nutrition degrees to qualified students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Food, Nutrition & Related Services at University of Missouri - Columbia

24
Southern Utah University crest
Southern Utah University
Cedar City, Utah

Southern Utah University landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Nutrition Major ranking. Southern Utah University is a public institution located in Cedar City, Utah. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 49 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Southern Utah University Food, Nutrition & Related Services Report

Rest of the Best 35 in Most Well Attended Nutrition Major

Not only did these schools make the top 35 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26
Framingham State crest
Framingham State University
Framingham, Massachusetts
27
NYU crest
New York University
New York, New York
28
28
South Dakota State crest
South Dakota State University
Brookings, South Dakota
30
Simmons crest
Simmons University
Boston, Massachusetts
31
Benedictine U crest
Benedictine University
Lisle, Illinois
31
CSE crest
College of Saint Elizabeth
Morristown, New Jersey
33
Winthrop crest
Winthrop University
Rock Hill, South Carolina
34
Syracuse crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, New York
34

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options