Best institutions to study Dietetics/Dietitian
A program that prepares individuals to integrate and apply the principles of the food and nutrition sciences, human behavior, and the biomedical sciences to design and manage effective nutrition programs in a variety of settings.
147 U.S. institutions graduated 2,993 Dietetics/Dietitian students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 51.3101, a specialization of Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services (CIP 51.31), and leads most directly to the Dietitians and Nutritionists occupation (BLS SOC 29-1031).
About Dietetics/Dietitian programs
A program that prepares individuals to integrate and apply the principles of the food and nutrition sciences, human behavior, and the biomedical sciences to design and manage effective nutrition programs in a variety of settings. Includes instruction in human nutrition; nutrient metabolism; the role of foods and nutrition in health promotion and disease prevention; planning and directing food service activities; diet and nutrition analysis and planning; supervision of food storage and preparation; client education; and professional standards and regulations.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Dietetics/Dietitian program prepares individuals to apply principles of food and nutrition sciences, human behavior, and biomedical sciences to create effective nutrition programs across various settings. This program is ideal for those interested in promoting health and wellness through nutrition and diet management.
Students will gain knowledge in human nutrition, nutrient metabolism, and the role of food in health promotion. Coursework includes diet analysis, client education, and food service management, equipping graduates with essential skills in critical thinking, communication, and active learning.
Credentials awarded
What Dietetics/Dietitian graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree1,506 graduates / yr · 92 institutions50%
- Master's degree1,109 graduates / yr · 74 institutions37%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate198 graduates / yr · 21 institutions6.6%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year78 graduates / yr · 7 institutions2.6%
- Associate's degree55 graduates / yr · 7 institutions1.8%
- Post-master's certificate23 graduates / yr · 3 institutions0.8%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years19 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.6%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship3 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
- Award of less than 12 weeks2 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
Graduates over time
Dietetics/Dietitian completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 3,511 |
| 2013 | 3,759 |
| 2014 | 4,316 |
| 2015 | 4,585 |
| 2016 | 4,871 |
| 2017 | 4,693 |
| 2018 | 4,048 |
| 2019 | 3,739 |
| 2020 | 3,676 |
| 2021 | 3,778 |
| 2022 | 3,673 |
| 2023 | 3,304 |
| 2024 | 3,006 |
| 2025 | 2,993 |
Top 50 institutions for Dietetics/Dietitian, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florida International University Miami, FLPublicBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert.Doctoral | 122 | 74% | — | $29,422 |
| 2 | Illinois State University Normal, ILPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert.Bachelor's | 103 | 65% | — | $38,444 |
| 3 | Appalachian State University Boone, NCPublicBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 103 | 75% | — | $31,934 |
| 4 | University of North Florida Jacksonville, FLPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 82 | 69% | — | $30,631 |
| 5 | University of Missouri - Columbia Columbia, MOPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 81 | 75% | — | — |
| 6 | Utah State University Logan, UTPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 78 | 59% | — | — |
| 7 | University of Illinois Chicago Chicago, ILPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 74 | 62% | — | $34,422 |
| 8 | University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OHPublicBachelor'sMaster'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 74 | 75% | — | $48,483 |
| 9 | Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield, MOPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 67 | 58% | — | — |
| 10 | Purdue University - Main Campus West Lafayette, INPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 53 | 83% | — | $52,631 |
| 11 | West Chester University of Pennsylvania West Chester, PAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 50 | 71% | — | — |
| 12 | Kansas State University Manhattan, KSPublicBachelor's | 49 | 71% | — | — |
| 13 | University of Kentucky Lexington, KYPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 47 | 71% | — | — |
| 14 | CUNY Lehman College Bronx, NYPublicBachelor's | 47 | 51% | — | $34,988 |
| 15 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MIPublicBachelor's | 46 | 81% | — | $25,301 |
| 16 | Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 43 | 43% | $21,535 | — |
| 17 | Viterbo University La Crosse, WIPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 43 | 68% | $20,655 | — |
| 18 | University of Mississippi University, MSPublicBachelor's | 42 | 72% | — | $22,275 |
| 19 | Rowan University Glassboro, NJPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 42 | 67% | — | — |
| 20 | Brigham Young University Provo, UTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 42 | 81% | $13,712 | — |
| 21 | Iowa State University Ames, IAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 41 | 75% | — | $33,958 |
| 22 | University of Delaware Newark, DEPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 40 | 81% | — | $17,669 |
| 23 | CUNY Bronx Community College Bronx, NYPublicAssociate's | 39 | 16% | — | $25,498 |
| 24 | Ball State University Muncie, INPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 35 | 62% | — | — |
| 25 | Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 34 | 61% | — | — |
| 26 | Louisiana Tech University Ruston, LAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sMaster's | 34 | 64% | — | — |
| 27 | Marshall University Huntington, WVPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 34 | 51% | — | — |
| 28 | The University of Texas at San Antonio San Antonio, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 33 | 53% | — | $49,205 |
| 29 | University of Arkansas Fayetteville, ARPublicBachelor's | 32 | 71% | — | — |
| 30 | CUNY Hunter College New York, NYPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 30 | 57% | — | — |
| 31 | Texas Tech University Lubbock, TXPublicBachelor's | 30 | 69% | — | — |
| 32 | Idaho State University Pocatello, IDPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 28 | 39% | — | — |
| 33 | East Carolina University Greenville, NCPublicBachelor's | 28 | 63% | — | $20,900 |
| 34 | North Carolina Central University Durham, NCPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 28 | 42% | — | — |
| 35 | Florida State University Tallahassee, FLPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 27 | 86% | — | $29,158 |
| 36 | Northwest Missouri State University Maryville, MOPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 27 | 54% | — | — |
| 37 | Southeast Missouri State University Cape Girardeau, MOPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 27 | 58% | — | — |
| 38 | University of Northern Colorado Greeley, COPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 26 | 51% | — | $28,224 |
| 39 | Eastern Michigan University Ypsilanti, MIPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 26 | 46% | — | $40,093 |
| 40 | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MNPublicMaster's | 26 | 85% | — | — |
| 41 | California State Polytechnic University - Pomona Pomona, CAPublicPost-degree cert. | 23 | 68% | — | — |
| 42 | Northern Illinois University Dekalb, ILPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 23 | 49% | — | $29,911 |
| 43 | Georgia State University Atlanta, GAPublicBachelor's | 22 | 53% | — | — |
| 44 | University of Rhode Island Kingston, RIPublicBachelor's | 22 | 73% | — | $33,319 |
| 45 | South Dakota State University Brookings, SDPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 22 | 62% | — | — |
| 46 | Logan University Chesterfield, MOPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 21 | 22% | $17,906 | — |
| 47 | University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras San Juan, PRPublicBachelor's | 21 | 50% | — | — |
| 48 | SUNY Buffalo State University Buffalo, NYPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 20 | 33% | — | $46,519 |
| 49 | Ouachita Baptist University Arkadelphia, ARPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 19 | 61% | $21,322 | — |
| 50 | University of Florida Gainesville, FLPublicBachelor's | 19 | 91% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services field (CIP 51.31) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 46 states & territories
Where Dietetics/Dietitian graduates come from. Each state links to all Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 29-1031, Dietitians and Nutritionists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Dietetics/Dietitian program can pursue careers as Dietitians and Nutritionists, with an expected job growth rate of 5.5% and approximately 6,200 annual openings. The median wage for this profession is $73,850, typically requiring a Bachelor's degree for entry-level positions.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 51.3101
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Dietitians and Nutritionistsprimary SOC 29-1031 | $76,400 | +5.5% Faster than average | ~6,200 | Bachelor's degree |
Dietetic Technicians SOC 29-2051 | $37,640 | +2.5% About as fast as average | ~4,000 | Associate's degree |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Dietetics/Dietitian programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Assess nutritional needs, diet restrictions, and current health plans to develop and implement dietary-care plans and provide nutritional counseling.
- Evaluate laboratory tests in preparing nutrition recommendations.
- Counsel individuals and groups on basic rules of good nutrition, healthy eating habits, and nutrition monitoring to improve their quality of life.
- Advise patients and their families on nutritional principles, dietary plans, diet modifications, and food selection and preparation.
- Incorporate patient cultural, ethnic, or religious preferences and needs in the development of nutrition plans.
- Consult with physicians and health care personnel to determine nutritional needs and diet restrictions of patient or client.
Tools and technology used
Other Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services specializations
The 4 other 6-digit CIP codes under Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services (CIP 51.31).
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, or a Postbaccalaureate certificate.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication.
What jobs can I get after graduation?+
You can work as a Dietitian, Nutritionist, or Dietetic Technician.
Is there a demand for dietitians?+
Yes, the demand is growing, with a projected growth rate of 5.5%.
What is the CIP code for Dietetics/Dietitian?+
Dietetics/Dietitian is CIP 51.3101 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services (CIP 51.31). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to integrate and apply the principles of the food and nutrition sciences, human behavior, and the biomedical sciences to design and manage effective nutrition programs in a variety of settings. Includes instruction in human nutrition; nutrient metabolism; the role of foods and nutrition in health promotion and disease prevention; planning and directing food service activities; diet and nutrition analysis and planning; supervision of food storage and preparation; client education; and professional standards and regulations.
How many institutions offer Dietetics/Dietitian programs?+
147 U.S. institutions reported Dietetics/Dietitian graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 46 states & territories, awarding 2,993 credentials in the year. That is 60.9% of all Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services graduates.
How much do Dietetics/Dietitian graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Dietitians and Nutritionists occupation, which Dietetics/Dietitian most directly leads to, pays a median of $76,400 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services field report median earnings of $31,934 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Explore every U.S. college in one conversation
Clema turns plain-language questions into sourced answers across every U.S. institution — earnings, aid, acceptance, graduation, safety, and athletics from IPEDS, College Scorecard, and 10+ federal datasets, built in.
Free for teams up to 3 · No credit card