by our College Data Analytics Team
[Nutrition Science](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/nutrition-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 4 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for nutrition science students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the nutrition science degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in nutrition science, no school beat Pennsylvania State University World Campus this year. Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public school located in the city of University Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,356. Nutrition Science graduates carry a median of $26,062 in student loans. Early-career nutrition science graduates make about $61,674. That is a strong return on a $26,062 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Students looking for strong value in nutrition science will find it at Thomas Jefferson University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Thomas Jefferson University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $47,355. Students borrow a median of $32,256 to complete the nutrition science program here. Early-career nutrition science graduates make about $64,243. That is a strong return on a $32,256 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earned it the #3 place for nutrition science. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $21,926 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nutrition science graduates is $24,958. Early-career nutrition science graduates make about $56,926. That is a strong return on a $24,958 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earned it the #4 place for nutrition science. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,644, with out-of-state students paying around $41,790. Typical student debt for nutrition science graduates is $26,000. Nutrition Science graduates of Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earn a median of $25,673 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
This list is compiled 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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.