California · Food Science and Technology

Best Food Science and Technology institutions in California, ranked by earnings

The Food Science and Technology program focuses on the study of food and its chemical properties, blending elements of agricultural science and nutritional science. This program is ideal for students interested in the scientific aspects of…

Institutions
19
offering CIP 01.10
States offered
9
with a program page
Degrees / yr
361
IPEDS completions 2026
Median grad earnings
$52,084
1 year after graduation
With earnings data
5
College Scorecard
Median net price
$42,965
IPEDS 2026
Avg graduation rate
50%
IPEDS 2026
State pay · Food Science Technicians
$55,100
BLS OEWS 2024

Top 5 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings

Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard).

#InstitutionGrad earnings (1 yr)CompletionsGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles Public · Bachelor's degree
$52,806553%
2California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo Public · Bachelor's degree
$52,24010986%$20,654
3University of California - Davis
Davis Public · Bachelor's degree
$52,0848386%$14,750
4California State Polytechnic University - Pomona
Pomona Public · Bachelor's degree
$51,8833068%$17,498
5California State University - Fresno
Fresno Public · Bachelor's degree
$45,7964657%$16,500

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Food Science Technicians (SOC 19-4013).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+6.5%
Faster than average
Openings / yr (US)
~1,200
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$85,310
typically Bachelor's degree

Top skills

Active LearningReading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingSpeakingScienceActive Listening

What Food Science Technicians earn in California

Jobs in California
4,000
BLS OEWS May 2024
State average pay
$55,100
median $50,960
Best-paying metro
$63,720
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

Related careers

Food Batchmakers
$43,010 avg · 11,530 jobs
Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
$62,590 avg · 11,030 jobs
First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers
$62,400 avg · 10,680 jobs
Food Science Technicians
$55,100 avg · 4,000 jobs
Food Scientists and Technologists
$91,820 avg · 2,350 jobs
Soil and Plant Scientists
$91,660 avg · 1,710 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Food Science and Technology programs in California.

Which Food Science and Technology program in California has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (College Scorecard), California State University - Los Angeles tops the list at $52,806. Compare it against completions, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Food Science Technicians earn in California?+

The average annual wage for Food Science Technicians in California is $55,100 (median $50,960), across about 4,000 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

What is the focus of the Food Science and Technology program?+

The Food Science and Technology program focuses on the study of food and its chemical properties, blending elements of agricultural science and nutritional science. This program is ideal for students interested in the scientific aspects of…

What skills will I develop in this program?+

You will develop active learning, reading comprehension, critical thinking, speaking, and related professional skills.

What is the job outlook for Food Science Technicians?+

The national job outlook is about +6.5% growth with around 1,200 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).

What is the typical education requirement?+

A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).

Food Science and Technology in other statesNew YorkKansasIowaOhioMassachusettsMichiganVirginiaArkansas

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