by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 213 U.S. colleges awarded 4,925 degrees and certificates in Dietetics & Clinical Nutrition Services. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 54% of graduates. College Factual ranks 126 schools in its 2027 Best Dietetics & Clinical Nutrition Services Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $43,211 one year after completing, rising to $57,022 after four years.
In order to maintain a healthy lifestyle, it is important to have a well-rounded diet. Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services majors work with patients to oversee health and diet needs and help them reach goals.
This major involves classes in chemistry, physiology, nutrition, and biology to learn how to design nutrition plans and help ensure patients are receiving important nutrients. Professionals work in nursing homes, cafeterias, hospitals, schools, and offices where they can work closely with food and evaluate the nutritional needs of groups of people or individual patients.
Students interested in the Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services field often specialize in Clinical Nutrition, Dietetic Technician, Dietitian Assistant, or Bioethics/Medical Ethics.
A degree in Dietetics & Clinical Nutrition Services explores Dietetics And Clinical Nutrition Services.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, dietetics & clinical nutrition services is a widely-pursued major, with 4,925 degrees awarded annually. 213 colleges award dietetics & clinical nutrition services degrees, an average of 23 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 329.
By level, the 4,925 awards include 34 certificates, 139 associate degrees, 1,991 bachelor’s degrees, 2,655 master’s degrees and 79 doctorates.
Women earned 86% of dietetics & clinical nutrition services degrees and certificates in the latest year (4,260 of 4,925). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (3,025) and Hispanic or Latino (721), and international students earned 162.
College Factual ranks 126 schools in its 2027 Best Dietetics & Clinical Nutrition Services Schools ranking, including 3 for associate degrees, 60 for bachelor’s degrees, 74 for master’s degrees and 4 for doctorates. It also ranks dietetics & clinical nutrition services schools within 36 states. In all, 213 colleges offer dietetics & clinical nutrition services programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Dietetics & Clinical Nutrition Services Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common dietetics & clinical nutrition services credential is the master’s degree: 2,655 of the 4,925 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to dietetics & clinical nutrition services call most for Speaking, Active Listening and Reading Comprehension, and for knowledge of English Language, Customer and Personal Service and Biology, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Comprehension, Oral Expression and Deductive Reasoning.
Students in the Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services major typically have strong critical thinking and analytical skills. They must observe patients' nutritional needs and create dietary plans to help patients receive all the nutrition they need to stay healthy or reach a certain goal. Strong interpersonal and communication skills allow students to work closely with others to help them face dietary concerns.
A degree in this field usually leads to a fulltime job in a variety of locations. Some Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services majors work for medical services in hospitals, nursing homes, or clinics, while other professionals are self-employed. Self-employment allows you to work closely with individuals or smaller groups of people while setting your own hours.
In order to earn a degree in Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition, students must complete an internship. This experience gives you hands-on experience within the field under the supervision of a trained professional. Students must also be licensed before working in this career field.
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How long a dietetics & clinical nutrition services degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 34 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 139 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 1,991 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 2,655 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 79 |
Post-baccalaureate certificate is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to dietetics & clinical nutrition services, at 45.2%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 45.2% |
| Master’s degree | 28.2% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 9.5% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 8.1% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 4.1% |
| Some college courses | 2.2% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 1.5% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 1.1% |
Source: O*NET Online.
2 occupations are related to Dietetics & Clinical Nutrition Services, with an average median salary of $131,643; the strongest outlook belongs to Dietetic Technicians, at 5.0% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Dietary Aide, Menu Planner, Nutrition Coordinator and Nutrition Counselor.
Graduates work in many different locations where they deal with the dietary needs of others by planning meals, adding supplementary nutrition, and observing the effects of meal plans. Some graduates work in the cafeterias of schools, hospitals, and nursing homes, while other graduates have gone on to open their own practice.
The occupation related to dietetics & clinical nutrition services with the most projected jobs is Dietitians and Nutritionists, at 3,155,854.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | 3,155,854 | 1.4% |
| Dietetic Technicians | 587,747 | 5.0% |
Dietetics & Clinical Nutrition Services graduates earn a median $43,211 one year after completing their program, $57,022 after four years and $54,790 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $43,211 |
| 4 years | $57,022 |
| 5 years | $54,790 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to dietetics & clinical nutrition services, with a median salary of $137,981.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Dietetic Technicians | $137,981 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $125,305 |
Dietetics & Clinical Nutrition Services includes 5 concentrations that together award 4,925 degrees a year; by graduates, the largest are Dietetics/Dietitian (3,001), Clinical Nutrition/Nutritionist (905) and Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services, Other (453). It has 30 similar majors in the Health Professions field, which together award 1,032,535 degrees a year; the largest are Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (318,053), Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants (110,132) and Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (98,474). Browse all Health Professions majors or the full list of college majors.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Dietetics/Dietitian | 3,001 |
| Clinical Nutrition/Nutritionist | 905 |
| Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services, Other | 453 |
| Dietitian Assistant | 406 |
| Dietetic Technician | 160 |
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