Best institutions to study Food Science
A program that focuses on the application of biological, chemical, and physical principles to the study of converting raw agricultural products into processed forms suitable for direct human consumption, and the storage of such products.
65 U.S. institutions graduated 1,565 Food Science students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 01.1001, a specialization of Food Science and Technology (CIP 01.10), and leads most directly to the Food Science Technicians occupation (BLS SOC 19-4013).
About Food Science programs
A program that focuses on the application of biological, chemical, and physical principles to the study of converting raw agricultural products into processed forms suitable for direct human consumption, and the storage of such products. Includes instruction in applicable aspects of the agricultural sciences, human physiology and nutrition, food chemistry, agricultural products processing, food additives, food preparation and packaging, food storage and shipment, and related aspects of human health and safety including toxicology and pathology.
See also: 19.0501 - Foods, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies, General., 12.0509 - Culinary Science/Culinology.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Food Science program, part of Food Science and Technology, focuses on the application of biological, chemical, and physical principles to transform raw agricultural products into processed foods suitable for human consumption. This program is ideal for students interested in food safety, production, and the science behind food processing and storage.
Students in this program will gain essential skills in food production, chemistry, biology, and food safety. Coursework typically includes topics such as food chemistry, agricultural products processing, and human nutrition, preparing graduates for various roles in the food industry.
Credentials awarded
What Food Science graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree866 graduates / yr · 50 institutions55%
- Master's degree531 graduates / yr · 42 institutions34%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship140 graduates / yr · 30 institutions8.9%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year16 graduates / yr · 4 institutions1.0%
- Associate's degree5 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.3%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate5 graduates / yr · 3 institutions0.3%
- Award of less than 12 weeks1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
- Post-master's certificate1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
Graduates over time
Food Science completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1,651 |
| 2013 | 1,847 |
| 2014 | 2,008 |
| 2015 | 2,038 |
| 2016 | 2,153 |
| 2017 | 2,080 |
| 2018 | 2,005 |
| 2019 | 1,965 |
| 2020 | 1,809 |
| 2021 | 1,806 |
| 2022 | 1,646 |
| 2023 | 1,549 |
| 2024 | 1,570 |
| 2025 | 1,565 |
Top 50 institutions for Food Science, 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 | University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign Champaign, ILPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 113 | 85% | — | $41,150 |
| 2 | Clemson University Clemson, SCPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 81 | 87% | — | $39,600 |
| 3 | Cornell University Ithaca, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 78 | 95% | $17,613 | $64,062 |
| 4 | University of Wisconsin - Stout Menomonie, WIPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 72 | 55% | — | — |
| 5 | University of California - Davis Davis, CAPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 70 | 86% | — | $52,084 |
| 6 | University of Nebraska - Lincoln Lincoln, NEPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 69 | 67% | — | — |
| 7 | Kansas State University Manhattan, KSPublicMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 61 | 71% | — | $62,479 |
| 8 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MIPublicMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoralPost-degree cert. | 61 | 81% | — | $59,342 |
| 9 | Purdue University - Main Campus West Lafayette, INPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 53 | 83% | — | — |
| 10 | Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OHPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 49 | 88% | — | $59,889 |
| 11 | Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 48 | 75% | $19,899 | — |
| 12 | Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus University Park, PAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 45 | 86% | — | $59,722 |
| 13 | University of Florida Gainesville, FLPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 42 | 91% | — | — |
| 14 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NCPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoralAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 42 | 85% | — | $50,631 |
| 15 | University of Massachusetts - Amherst Amherst, MAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 41 | 83% | — | $59,547 |
| 16 | University of Georgia Athens, GAPublicMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 35 | 90% | — | — |
| 17 | University of Maryland - College Park College Park, MDPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 34 | 89% | — | $24,341 |
| 18 | University of Maine Orono, MEPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 30 | 55% | — | $36,255 |
| 19 | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MNPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 30 | 85% | — | $49,303 |
| 20 | The University of Tennessee - Knoxville Knoxville, TNPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 30 | 74% | — | $48,441 |
| 21 | Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MSPublicBachelor's | 29 | 67% | — | — |
| 22 | University of Arkansas Fayetteville, ARPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 28 | 71% | — | $53,205 |
| 23 | California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 27 | 86% | — | $52,240 |
| 24 | California State University - Fresno Fresno, CAPublicBachelor's | 25 | 57% | — | $45,796 |
| 25 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 25 | 84% | — | $51,892 |
| 26 | Iowa State University Ames, IAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sMaster'sDoctoral | 24 | 75% | — | $60,351 |
| 27 | Oregon State University Corvallis, ORPublicBachelor's | 23 | 70% | — | $43,923 |
| 28 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VAPublicBachelor's | 22 | 86% | — | $56,274 |
| 29 | University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WIPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 21 | 90% | — | — |
| 30 | Brigham Young University Provo, UTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 20 | 81% | $13,712 | — |
| 31 | Oklahoma State University - Main Campus Stillwater, OKPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 18 | 68% | — | — |
| 32 | Chapman University Orange, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 17 | 82% | $42,965 | — |
| 33 | California State Polytechnic University - Pomona Pomona, CAPublicBachelor's | 16 | 68% | — | $51,883 |
| 34 | University of Delaware Newark, DEPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 15 | 81% | — | — |
| 35 | Texas Tech University Lubbock, TXPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 15 | 69% | — | — |
| 36 | Washington State University Pullman, WAPublicMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 15 | 60% | — | $47,970 |
| 37 | Brigham Young University - Idaho Rexburg, IDPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 12 | 55% | $6,760 | — |
| 38 | Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Baton Rouge, LAPublicDoctoralMaster's | 12 | 69% | — | — |
| 39 | Alabama A & M University Normal, ALPublicMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 11 | 24% | — | — |
| 40 | University of Maryland Eastern Shore Princess Anne, MDPublicDoctoralMaster's | 8 | 35% | — | — |
| 41 | University of Missouri - Columbia Columbia, MOPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 8 | 75% | — | — |
| 42 | Colorado State University - Fort Collins Fort Collins, COPublicBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 7 | 67% | — | — |
| 43 | Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University Tallahassee, FLPublicBachelor's | 7 | 53% | — | — |
| 44 | Dakota County Technical College Rosemount, MNPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 7 | 58% | — | — |
| 45 | Drexel University Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 6 | 78% | $36,004 | — |
| 46 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TXPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 6 | 84% | — | — |
| 47 | Arizona Western College Yuma, AZPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 5 | 20% | — | — |
| 48 | Bay Path University Longmeadow, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sAward of less than 12 weeks | 5 | 44% | $16,859 | — |
| 49 | South Dakota State University Brookings, SDPublicDoctoralBachelor'sMaster's | 5 | 62% | — | — |
| 50 | Mount Mary University Milwaukee, WIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 5 | 43% | $18,836 | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Food Science and Technology field (CIP 01.10) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 40 states
Where Food Science graduates come from. Each state links to all Food Science and Technology programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-4013, Food Science Technicians, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Food Science program can pursue careers as Food Science Technicians, with an outlook of approximately 4.8% growth and around 3,200 annual job openings. The median wage for this field is $49,430, and typical education required is an Associate's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 01.1001
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Food Science Techniciansprimary SOC 19-4013 | $52,130 | +4.8% About as fast as average | ~3,200 | Associate's degree |
Food Scientists and Technologists SOC 19-1012 | $88,720 | +6.5% Faster than average | ~1,200 | Bachelor's degree |
Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1041 | $98,700 | +4.1% About as fast as average | ~800 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Food Science 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
- Taste or smell foods or beverages to ensure that flavors meet specifications or to select samples with specific characteristics.
- Measure, test, or weigh bottles, cans, or other containers to ensure that hardness, strength, or dimensions meet specifications.
- Maintain records of testing results or other documents as required by state or other governing agencies.
- Monitor and control temperature of products.
- Analyze test results to classify products or compare results with standard tables.
- Record or compile test results or prepare graphs, charts, or reports.
Tools and technology used
Other Food Science and Technology specializations
The 5 other 6-digit CIP codes under Food Science and Technology (CIP 01.10).
- Viticulture and EnologyCIP 01.1004239 graduates / yr27 institutions
- Food Science and TechnologyCIP 01.1099126 graduates / yr14 institutions
- Brewing ScienceCIP 01.1003113 graduates / yr19 institutions
- Zymology/CIP 01.1005
Fermentation Science partial data99 graduates / yr4 institutions - Food Technology and ProcessingCIP 01.100298 graduates / yr20 institutions
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctor's degree, as well as a shorter award of at least 12 weeks.
What skills will I develop?+
You'll develop skills in reading comprehension, critical thinking, and science, among others.
What types of jobs can I get?+
You can work as a Food Science Technician or pursue roles in food safety and agricultural sciences.
How many colleges offer this program?+
There are 65 colleges in the U.S. offering the Food Science program.
What is the CIP code for Food Science?+
Food Science is CIP 01.1001 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Food Science and Technology (CIP 01.10). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the application of biological, chemical, and physical principles to the study of converting raw agricultural products into processed forms suitable for direct human consumption, and the storage of such products. Includes instruction in applicable aspects of the agricultural sciences, human physiology and nutrition, food chemistry, agricultural products processing, food additives, food preparation and packaging, food storage and shipment, and related aspects of human health and safety including toxicology and pathology.
How many institutions offer Food Science programs?+
65 U.S. institutions reported Food Science graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 40 states, awarding 1,565 credentials in the year. That is 69.9% of all Food Science and Technology graduates.
How much do Food Science graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Food Science Technicians occupation, which Food Science most directly leads to, pays a median of $52,130 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Food Science and Technology field report median earnings of $51,892 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