2027 Best Value Nutrition Sciences Schools in California
[Nutrition Sciences](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/nutrition-science/nutrition-sciences/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 16 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for nutrition sciences students.
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2027 Best Value Nutrition Sciences Schools in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in nutrition sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Nutrition Sciences Schools
California State University Los Angeles tops our 2027 list of the best value nutrition sciences schools in California. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Students borrow a median of $14,493 to complete the nutrition sciences program here. Early-career nutrition sciences graduates make about $31,096. Set against $14,493 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
California State University San Bernardino is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nutrition sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,149 to complete the nutrition sciences program here. Early-career nutrition sciences graduates make about $42,421. Set against $15,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Fresno came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value nutrition sciences schools. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Nutrition Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nutrition sciences degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $23,211. Set against $11,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in nutrition sciences will find it at California State University Sacramento, which ranked #4. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Nutrition Sciences graduates carry a median of $17,492 in student loans. Early-career nutrition sciences graduates make about $49,907. Set against $17,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in nutrition sciences will find it at California State University Northridge, which ranked #5. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Typical student debt for nutrition sciences graduates is $16,202. Soon after graduation, nutrition sciences degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $48,437. That is a strong return on a $16,202 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Long Beach earned the #6 position for value in nutrition sciences this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Students borrow a median of $15,732 to complete the nutrition sciences program here. Nutrition Sciences graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $51,087 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,732 median debt. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona came in at #7 for value in nutrition sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,781, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. Typical student debt for nutrition sciences graduates is $17,250. Nutrition Sciences graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $34,384 early in their careers. Set against $17,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Berkeley earned the #8 position for value in nutrition sciences this year. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Nutrition Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,182 in student loans. Early-career nutrition sciences graduates make about $35,161. That is a strong return on a $16,182 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%.
San Francisco State University earned the #9 position for value in nutrition sciences this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,846, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. Nutrition Sciences graduates carry a median of $17,137 in student loans. Nutrition Sciences graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $30,620 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
San Jose State University placed #10 among the best values for nutrition sciences. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.
California State University Chico placed #11 among the best values for nutrition sciences. Located in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,472, while out-of-state students pay about $21,072. Nutrition Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,272 in student loans. Nutrition Sciences graduates of California State University Chico earn a median of $25,490 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Chico admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of California Davis landed the #12 spot for nutrition sciences value this year. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Nutrition Sciences graduates carry a median of $14,166 in student loans. Nutrition Sciences graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $34,512 early in their careers. Set against $14,166 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
San Diego State University placed #13 among the best values for nutrition sciences. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete the nutrition sciences program here. Early-career nutrition sciences graduates make about $34,878. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo landed the #14 spot for nutrition sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,161 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,230 for out-of-state students. Nutrition Sciences graduates carry a median of $17,620 in student loans. Nutrition Sciences graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $22,675 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,620 median debt. The acceptance rate is 31%.
University Of Southern California came in at #15 for value in nutrition sciences this year. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $71,647. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete the nutrition sciences program here. Early-career nutrition sciences graduates make about $75,677. That is a strong return on a $15,625 median debt. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants.
National Holistic Institute placed #16 among the best values for nutrition sciences. Set in the suburb of Emeryville, National Holistic Institute is a mid-sized private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the nutrition sciences program here. Early-career nutrition sciences graduates make about $18,613. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
More Nutrition Sciences Rankings
View All Nutrition Sciences Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 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.
