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