2026 Best Value Dietetics/Dietitian Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Dietetics/Dietitian](/majors/health-care-professions/dietetics-clinical-nutrition-services/dietetics-dietitian/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong dietetics/dietitian education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 187 schools to find the best return on investment for dietetics/dietitian students.
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2026 Best Value Dietetics/Dietitian Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in dietetics/dietitian, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Dietetics/Dietitian Schools
Leading the list is Cuny Lehman College, our #1 best value for dietetics/dietitian in the United States. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dietetics/dietitian graduates is $12,000. Early-career dietetics/dietitian graduates make about $34,988. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Queens College one of the best values for dietetics/dietitian. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dietetics/dietitian graduates is $13,004. Early-career dietetics/dietitian graduates make about $36,903. That is a strong return on a $13,004 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Students looking for strong value in dietetics/dietitian will find it at University Of Florida, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $19,764 to complete the dietetics/dietitian program here. Dietetics/dietitian graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $58,388 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in dietetics/dietitian will find it at Florida International University, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dietetics/dietitian graduates is $12,499. Early-career dietetics/dietitian graduates make about $29,422. That is a strong return on a $12,499 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Students looking for strong value in dietetics/dietitian will find it at Florida State University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Typical student debt for dietetics/dietitian graduates is $23,750. Soon after graduation, dietetics/dietitian degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $29,158. Set against $23,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
University Of North Florida earned the #6 position for value in dietetics/dietitian this year. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,964, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dietetics/dietitian graduates is $18,369. Dietetics/dietitian graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $30,631 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 53%.
University Of Illinois At Chicago earned the #7 position for value in dietetics/dietitian this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Typical student debt for dietetics/dietitian graduates is $20,115. Dietetics/dietitian graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $34,422 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,115 median debt. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
Utah State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value dietetics/dietitian schools. Located in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,560, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,191 to complete the dietetics/dietitian program here. Dietetics/dietitian graduates of Utah State University earn a median of $53,068 early in their careers. Set against $16,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio placed #9 among the best values for dietetics/dietitian. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Students borrow a median of $23,312 to complete the dietetics/dietitian program here. Soon after graduation, dietetics/dietitian degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $49,205. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #10 spot for dietetics/dietitian value this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Students borrow a median of $20,254 to complete the dietetics/dietitian program here. Dietetics/dietitian graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $52,631 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Northeastern State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value dietetics/dietitian schools. Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Tahlequah. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,810, with out-of-state students paying around $17,290. Students borrow a median of $16,024 to complete the dietetics/dietitian program here. Early-career dietetics/dietitian graduates make about $49,353. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Louisiana Tech University came in at #12 for value in dietetics/dietitian this year. Located in the town of Ruston, Louisiana Tech University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,125, compared with $16,866 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,846 to complete the dietetics/dietitian program here. Early-career dietetics/dietitian graduates make about $58,929. That is a strong return on a $23,846 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras came in at #13 for value in dietetics/dietitian this year. University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras is a large public school located in the city of San Juan. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,324. Typical student debt for dietetics/dietitian graduates is $5,673. Dietetics/dietitian graduates of University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras earn a median of $24,881 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus placed #14 among the best values for dietetics/dietitian. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,772 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,600 for out-of-state students. Dietetics/dietitian graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dietetics/dietitian degree recipients from University Of Mississippi Main Campus generally make around $22,275. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Northern Illinois University placed #15 among the best values for dietetics/dietitian. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. Typical student debt for dietetics/dietitian graduates is $27,000. Early-career dietetics/dietitian graduates make about $29,911. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Western Carolina University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value dietetics/dietitian schools. Set in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,630, with out-of-state students paying around $8,630. Typical student debt for dietetics/dietitian graduates is $24,905. Soon after graduation, dietetics/dietitian degree recipients from Western Carolina University generally make around $17,970. That is a strong return on a $24,905 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Youngstown State University came in at #17 for value in dietetics/dietitian this year. Youngstown State University is a large public school located in the city of Youngstown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,926, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. Typical student debt for dietetics/dietitian graduates is $27,729. Soon after graduation, dietetics/dietitian degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $29,065. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Mississippi came in at #18 for value in dietetics/dietitian this year. Located in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,998, while out-of-state students pay about $11,998. Students borrow a median of $25,415 to complete the dietetics/dietitian program here. Dietetics/dietitian graduates of University Of Southern Mississippi earn a median of $52,338 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,415 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Brigham Young University Provo placed #19 among the best values for dietetics/dietitian. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. Dietetics/dietitian graduates carry a median of $12,184 in student loans. Dietetics/dietitian graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $54,507 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.
Northern Arizona University earned the #20 position for value in dietetics/dietitian this year. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,619, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Dietetics/dietitian graduates carry a median of $21,645 in student loans. Early-career dietetics/dietitian graduates make about $47,056. That is a strong return on a $21,645 median debt. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
Southeast Missouri State University came in at #21 for value in dietetics/dietitian this year. Southeast Missouri State University is a large public school located in the city of Cape Girardeau. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,903. Dietetics/dietitian graduates carry a median of $23,289 in student loans. Early-career dietetics/dietitian graduates make about $43,255. That is a strong return on a $23,289 median debt. Southeast Missouri State University admits about 74% of applicants.
Suny College At Buffalo came in at #22 for value in dietetics/dietitian this year. Located in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,533, while out-of-state students pay about $19,653. Students borrow a median of $34,940 to complete the dietetics/dietitian program here. Dietetics/dietitian graduates of Suny College At Buffalo earn a median of $46,519 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $34,940 median debt. Suny College At Buffalo admits about 73% of applicants.
Stephen F Austin State University came in at #23 for value in dietetics/dietitian this year. Set in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,128, compared with $20,968 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,759 to complete the dietetics/dietitian program here. Soon after graduation, dietetics/dietitian degree recipients from Stephen F Austin State University generally make around $42,197. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stephen F Austin State University admits about 94% of applicants.
Ball State University came in at #24 for value in dietetics/dietitian this year. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,082, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,518 to complete the dietetics/dietitian program here. Early-career dietetics/dietitian graduates make about $55,317. That is a strong return on a $24,518 median debt. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.
East Tennessee State University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value dietetics/dietitian schools. Located in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,216, while out-of-state students pay about $13,726. Students borrow a median of $21,301 to complete the dietetics/dietitian program here. Dietetics/dietitian graduates of East Tennessee State University earn a median of $45,444 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,301 median debt. East Tennessee State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Dietetics/Dietitian Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in dietetics/dietitian:
Other Dietetics/Dietitian Degree Levels
Explore the best-value dietetics/dietitian schools at other degree levels:
View All Dietetics/Dietitian Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 187 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 59 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.
