by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 147 U.S. colleges awarded 3,001 degrees and certificates in Dietetics/Dietitian. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 50% of graduates. College Factual ranks 87 schools in its 2027 Best Dietetics/Dietitian 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.
A degree in Dietetics/Dietitian covers Dietetics/dietitian. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Integrate And Apply The Principles Of The Food And Nutrition Sciences, Human Behavior, And The Biomedical Sciences To Design And Manage Effective Nutrition Programs In A Variety Of Settings. Includes Instruction In Human Nutrition; Nutrient Metabolism; The Role Of Foods And Nutrition In Health Promotion And Disease Prevention; Planning And Directing Food Service Activities; Diet And Nutrition Analysis And Planning; Supervision Of Food Storage And Preparation; Client Education; And Professional Standards And Regulations. Examples: [Dietetics/dietitian (Rd)], [Registered Dietitian (Rd)].
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, dietetics/dietitian draws strong interest, with 3,001 degrees awarded annually. 147 colleges award dietetics/dietitian degrees, an average of 20 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 122.
By level, the 3,001 awards include 19 certificates, 55 associate degrees, 1,514 bachelor’s degrees, 1,408 master’s degrees and 3 doctorates.
Women earned 87% of dietetics/dietitian degrees and certificates in the latest year (2,604 of 3,001). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (1,892) and Hispanic or Latino (485), and international students earned 97.
College Factual ranks 87 schools in its 2027 Best Dietetics/Dietitian Schools ranking, including 1 for associate degrees, 53 for bachelor’s degrees and 51 for master’s degrees. It also ranks dietetics/dietitian schools within 31 states. In all, 147 colleges offer dietetics/dietitian programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Dietetics/Dietitian Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common dietetics/dietitian credential is the bachelor’s degree: 1,514 of the 3,001 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to dietetics/dietitian call most for Speaking, Active Listening and Judgment and Decision Making, and for knowledge of English Language, Customer and Personal Service and Biology, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Oral Comprehension and Deductive Reasoning.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a dietetics/dietitian degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 19 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 55 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 1,514 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,408 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 3 |
Post-baccalaureate certificate is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to dietetics/dietitian, 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/Dietitian, 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 Nutrition Coordinator, Dietary Aide, Menu Planner and Nutrition Counselor.
The occupation related to dietetics/dietitian 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/Dietitian 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/dietitian, with a median salary of $137,981.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Dietetic Technicians | $137,981 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $125,305 |
Dietetics/Dietitian has 4 similar majors in the Health Professions field, which together award 1,924 degrees a year; the largest are Clinical Nutrition/Nutritionist (905), Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services, Other (453) and Dietitian Assistant (406). Browse all Health Professions majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Clinical Nutrition/Nutritionist | 905 |
| Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services, Other | 453 |
| Dietitian Assistant | 406 |
| Dietetic Technician | 160 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
