2026 Best Value Nutrition Sciences Schools in California
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the nutrition sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Nutrition Sciences Schools
California State University Los Angeles tops our 2026 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. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Students borrow a median of $14,493 to complete the nutrition sciences program here. Nutrition Sciences graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $31,096 early in their careers. Set against $14,493 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University San Bernardino earned it the #2 place for nutrition sciences. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Nutrition Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,149 in student loans. Early-career nutrition sciences graduates make about $42,421. Set against $15,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fresno earned it the #3 place for nutrition sciences. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,375 to complete the nutrition sciences program here. Soon after graduation, nutrition sciences degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $23,211. That is a strong return on a $11,375 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Students looking for strong value in nutrition sciences will find it at California State University Northridge, which ranked #4. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Nutrition Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans. Nutrition Sciences graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $48,437 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Long Beach is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nutrition sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,671 to complete the nutrition sciences program here. Nutrition Sciences graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $50,982 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.
California State University Sacramento landed the #6 spot for nutrition sciences value this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nutrition sciences graduates is $17,492. Soon after graduation, nutrition sciences degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $49,907. That is a strong return on a $17,492 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona came in at #7 for value in nutrition sciences this year. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. In-state tuition and fees average $7,781, while out-of-state students pay about $20,381. Nutrition Sciences graduates carry a median of $17,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nutrition sciences degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona generally make around $34,384. That is a strong return on a $17,250 median debt. California State Polytechnic University Pomona admits about 75% of applicants.
San Francisco State University earned the #8 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,846, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. Students borrow a median of $17,137 to complete the nutrition sciences program here. Nutrition Sciences graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $30,620 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,137 median debt. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.
San Jose State University placed #9 among the best values for nutrition sciences. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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.
University Of California Berkeley came in at #10 for value in nutrition sciences this year. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Typical student debt for nutrition sciences graduates is $16,182. Early-career nutrition sciences graduates make about $35,161. Set against $16,182 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Chico earned the #11 position for value in nutrition sciences this year. Set in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,472, with out-of-state students paying around $21,072. Students borrow a median of $19,272 to complete the nutrition sciences program here. Nutrition Sciences graduates of California State University Chico earn a median of $25,490 early in their careers. Set against $19,272 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Chico admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of California Davis earned the #12 position for value in nutrition sciences 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. Typical student debt for nutrition sciences graduates is $14,166. Nutrition Sciences graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $34,512 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo landed the #13 spot for nutrition sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,161 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,230 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,620 to complete the nutrition sciences program here. Soon after graduation, nutrition sciences degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $22,675. That is a strong return on a $17,620 median debt. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted.
San Diego State University earned the #14 position for value in nutrition sciences this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,728, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. Nutrition Sciences graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nutrition sciences degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $34,878. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.
California Baptist University landed the #15 spot for nutrition sciences value this year. Located in the city of Riverside, California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $41,228. Nutrition Sciences graduates carry a median of $28,169 in student loans. Early-career nutrition sciences graduates make about $51,999. Set against $28,169 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of Southern California earned the #16 position 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. Students from in state pay about $71,647 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for nutrition sciences graduates is $15,625. Nutrition Sciences graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $75,677 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.
National Holistic Institute earned the #17 position for value in nutrition sciences this year. National Holistic Institute is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the suburb of Emeryville. Typical student debt for nutrition sciences graduates is $9,500. Soon after graduation, nutrition sciences degree recipients from National Holistic Institute generally make around $18,613. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pepperdine University came in at #18 for value in nutrition sciences this year. Pepperdine University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Malibu. In-state tuition and fees average $69,918. Nutrition Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,645 in student loans. Nutrition Sciences graduates of Pepperdine University earn a median of $57,582 early in their careers. Set against $23,645 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.
[Nutrition Sciences](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/nutrition-science/nutrition-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
