by our College Data Analytics TeamAre you fascinated by food, health and nutrition? A major in Nutrition Sciences will allow you to fully explore how the body uses food for energy and nutrition. You will learn about the affects nutrition has on illness, exercise, and aging and how the digestive process works. You will also explore the science behind the makeup of food.
Classes you will take in this major include: anatomy, biology, chemistry, human nutrition, data analysis, physics, biochemistry, organic chemistry, immunology, physiology, vitamin and mineral biochemistry, and lifecycle nutrition.
A major in Nutrition Science explores Nutrition Sciences. Continue reading for the key facts every nutrition science major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering nutrition science programs.
Nationwide, nutrition science is a popular field of study, with 5,456 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Nutrition Science Schools ranking analyzes these 150 schools to determine the best overall colleges for nutrition science students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of nutrition science programs later in this article.
Studies in Nutrition Science build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations nutrition science graduates commonly enter.
This is an interdisciplinary major that requires research many different topics of food, health and science. Students will spend time in lecture halls, labs and in the field. They will be required to communicate their findings in research papers, lab reports and oral presentations. Learn to write clearly and effectively, avoiding technical terms and jargon.
A passion for biological processes will be important. You will be exploring the different nutrient requirements for athletes, children, or geriatrics. Many schools will require you to work as an intern in this field. You could work on campus in the health center or for a food processing company. Nutrition research is constantly updated, meaning you will need to stay up to date on the latest information and advice.
The skill set built by a nutrition science program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a nutrition science major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several nutrition science degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 5 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 9 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 3,309 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,951 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 182 |
People currently working in careers related to nutrition science tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 34.2% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 20.7% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 13.7% |
| Doctoral degree | 13.5% |
| Post-doctoral training | 6.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 4.5% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.5% |
| Some college courses | 1.6% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 1.1% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.9% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.1% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in nutrition science careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Nutrition Sciences will prepare you for a career as dietician or nutritionist. As obesity and eating disorders increase, there has also been an increase in promoting health and wellness. Diet can help prevent some diseases and professionals in this field can help provide care for people with diabetes or high cholesterol. Graduates can also work in public health institutions, hospitals, health centers or gyms.
A degree in nutrition science can lead to many career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to nutrition science.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to nutrition science.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | 3,155,854 | 1.4% |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,335,407 | 10.7% |
| Farm and Home Management Educators | 1,304,119 | 14.0% |
| Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,267,153 | 0.4% |
| Dietetic Technicians | 587,747 | 5.0% |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 276,211 | 6.3% |
| Geneticists | 183,832 | -1.1% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of nutrition science graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $37,311 |
| 4 years | $52,172 |
| 5 years | $59,138 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for nutrition science graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers nutrition science grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Water Resource Specialists | $179,716 |
| Dietetic Technicians | $137,981 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $132,227 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $125,305 |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | $110,931 |
| Molecular and Cellular Biologists | $100,077 |
| Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $99,604 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $97,541 |
With 150 different nutrition science programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased nutrition science school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in nutrition science, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Nutrition Sciences | 5,456 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | 30,141 |
| Biological and Physical Sciences | 28,033 |
| Data Analytics | 12,891 |
| MULTI/INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES | 10,355 |
| Data Science | 7,716 |
| International/Globalization Studies | 5,740 |
| Behavioral Sciences | 5,391 |
| Sustainability Studies | 4,374 |
| Cognitive Science | 3,121 |
| Natural Sciences | 2,648 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
