2026 Best Value Nutrition Science Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in nutrition science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Nutrition Science Schools
For return on investment in nutrition science, no school beat California State University Los Angeles this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Typical student debt for nutrition science graduates is $14,493. Soon after graduation, nutrition science degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $31,096. Set against $14,493 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
California State University San Bernardino is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nutrition science, landing the #2 spot this year. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Nutrition Science graduates carry a median of $15,149 in student loans. Nutrition Science graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $42,421 early in their careers. Set against $15,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in nutrition science will find it at California State University Fresno, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Students borrow a median of $11,375 to complete the nutrition science program here. Nutrition Science graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $23,211 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,375 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
A rank of #4 makes California State University Northridge one of the best values for nutrition science. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Students borrow a median of $16,202 to complete the nutrition science program here. Soon after graduation, nutrition science degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $48,437. Set against $16,202 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
California State University Long Beach came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value nutrition science schools. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Typical student debt for nutrition science graduates is $15,671. Early-career nutrition science graduates make about $50,982. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
California State University Sacramento earned the #6 position for value in nutrition science this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Nutrition Science graduates carry a median of $17,492 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nutrition science 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 science this year. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,781, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. Typical student debt for nutrition science graduates is $17,250. Nutrition Science graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $34,384 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,250 median debt. California State Polytechnic University Pomona admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas came in at #8 for value in nutrition science this year. Set in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Students borrow a median of $15,815 to complete the nutrition science program here. Early-career nutrition science graduates make about $27,171. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.
San Francisco State University earned the #9 position for value in nutrition science this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,846 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. Nutrition Science graduates carry a median of $17,137 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nutrition science degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $30,620. That is a strong return on a $17,137 median debt. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #10 spot for nutrition science value this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Nutrition Science graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nutrition science degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $64,343. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
San Jose State University came in at #11 for value in nutrition science this year. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa came in at #12 for value in nutrition science this year. Set in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,186 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,218. Typical student debt for nutrition science graduates is $22,639. Soon after graduation, nutrition science degree recipients from University Of Hawaii At Manoa generally make around $37,993. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Berkeley landed the #13 spot for nutrition science value 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 Science graduates carry a median of $16,182 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nutrition science degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $35,161. That is a strong return on a $16,182 median debt. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Central Washington University landed the #14 spot for nutrition science value this year. Central Washington University is a very large public school located in the town of Ellensburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,417, with out-of-state students paying around $27,526. Students borrow a median of $23,285 to complete the nutrition science program here. Nutrition Science graduates of Central Washington University earn a median of $30,113 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,285 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Chico earned the #15 position for value in nutrition science this year. Set in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,472 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,072 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nutrition science graduates is $19,272. Soon after graduation, nutrition science degree recipients from California State University Chico generally make around $25,490. Set against $19,272 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Davis earned the #16 position for value in nutrition science this year. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Nutrition Science graduates carry a median of $14,166 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nutrition science degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $34,512. That is a strong return on a $14,166 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value nutrition science schools. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. Students from in state pay about $12,161 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. Students borrow a median of $17,620 to complete the nutrition science program here. Soon after graduation, nutrition science degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $22,675. Set against $17,620 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 31%.
San Diego State University landed the #18 spot for nutrition science value 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 Science graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Nutrition Science graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $34,878 early in their careers. Set against $18,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
Oregon State University landed the #19 spot for nutrition science value this year. Located in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,400, compared with $38,190 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,043 to complete the nutrition science program here. Early-career nutrition science graduates make about $51,000. Set against $24,043 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oregon State University admits about 77% of applicants.
California Baptist University came in at #20 for value in nutrition science this year. California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Riverside. In-state tuition and fees average $41,228. Students borrow a median of $28,169 to complete the nutrition science program here. Soon after graduation, nutrition science degree recipients from California Baptist University generally make around $51,999. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California Baptist University admits about 85% of applicants.
University Of Southern California earned the #21 position for value in nutrition science 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 science graduates is $15,625. Early-career nutrition science graduates make about $75,677. That is a strong return on a $15,625 median debt. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.
National Holistic Institute ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value nutrition science schools. Set in the suburb of Emeryville, National Holistic Institute is a mid-sized private for-profit institution. Nutrition Science graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Early-career nutrition science graduates make about $18,613. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pepperdine University placed #23 among the best values for nutrition science. Located in the suburb of Malibu, Pepperdine University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $69,918 in tuition and fees. Nutrition Science graduates carry a median of $23,645 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nutrition science degree recipients from Pepperdine University generally make around $57,582. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 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 Science](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/nutrition-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
