Best institutions to study Food Science and Technology
Any instructional program in food sciences and technology not listed above.
14 U.S. institutions graduated 126 Food Science and Technology students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 01.1099, 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 and Technology programs
Any instructional program in food sciences and technology not listed above.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Food Science and Technology program focuses on the study of food production, processing, and safety. It is designed for students interested in the science behind food and its technology, preparing them for various roles in the food industry. This program is ideal for those passionate about improving food quality and safety standards.
Students in this program will gain essential skills in reading comprehension, critical thinking, and scientific analysis. Coursework covers topics such as food production, chemistry, and biology, equipping graduates with the knowledge needed to excel in food science and technology.
Credentials awarded
What Food Science and Technology graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree53 graduates / yr · 4 institutions42%
- Bachelor's degree40 graduates / yr · 6 institutions32%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year16 graduates / yr · 3 institutions13%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years8 graduates / yr · 1 institution6.3%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate7 graduates / yr · 3 institutions5.6%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship2 graduates / yr · 1 institution1.6%
Graduates over time
Food Science and Technology completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 47 |
| 2013 | 45 |
| 2014 | 37 |
| 2015 | 51 |
| 2016 | 114 |
| 2017 | 106 |
| 2018 | 132 |
| 2019 | 113 |
| 2020 | 127 |
| 2021 | 181 |
| 2022 | 188 |
| 2023 | 114 |
| 2024 | 129 |
| 2025 | 126 |
Top 14 institutions for Food Science and Technology, 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 California - Davis Davis, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 27 | 86% | — | $52,084 |
| 2 | Oregon State University Corvallis, ORPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 22 | 70% | — | $43,923 |
| 3 | Clemson University Clemson, SCPublicMaster's | 18 | 87% | — | $39,600 |
| 4 | University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 12 | 90% | — | — |
| 5 | University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez Mayaguez, PRPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 11 | 49% | — | — |
| 6 | Saint Louis University Saint Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 8 | 80% | $24,886 | — |
| 7 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearBachelor's | 5 | 68% | — | — |
| 8 | Southern Illinois University - Carbondale Carbondale, ILPublicBachelor's | 5 | 62% | — | — |
| 9 | Kansas State University Manhattan, KSPublicPost-degree cert. | 5 | 71% | — | $62,479 |
| 10 | Appalachian State University Boone, NCPublicBachelor's | 5 | 75% | — | $38,743 |
| 11 | Lakeland University Plymouth, WIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 5 | 42% | $20,767 | — |
| 12 | Kentucky State University Frankfort, KYPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 32% | — | — |
| 13 | University of Nebraska - Lincoln Lincoln, NEPublicPost-degree cert. | 1 | 67% | — | — |
| 14 | Pennsylvania State University - World Campus University Park, PAPublicPost-degree cert. | 1 | 34% | — | $59,722 |
* 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 13 states & territories
Where Food Science and Technology graduates come from. Each state links to all Food Science and Technology programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 1 | 27 | University of California - Davis27 / yr |
| Oregon | 1 | 22 | Oregon State University22 / yr |
| South Carolina | 1 | 18 | Clemson University18 / yr |
| Wisconsin | 2 | 17 | University of Wisconsin - Madison12 / yr |
| Puerto Rico | 1 | 11 | University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez11 / yr |
| Missouri | 1 | 8 | Saint Louis University8 / yr |
| Arizona | 1 | 5 | University of Arizona5 / yr |
| Illinois | 1 | 5 | Southern Illinois University - Carbondale5 / yr |
| Kansas | 1 | 5 | Kansas State University5 / yr |
| North Carolina | 1 | 5 | Appalachian State University5 / yr |
| Kentucky | 1 | 1 | Kentucky State University1 / yr |
| Nebraska | 1 | 1 | University of Nebraska - Lincoln1 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | 1 | Pennsylvania State University - World Campus1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-4013, Food Science Technicians, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Food Science and Technology program can pursue careers as Food Science Technicians, with an annual growth outlook of 4.8% and approximately 3,200 annual job openings. The median wage for this field is $49,430, and typical education requirements include an Associate's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 01.1099
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 and Technology 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).
- Food ScienceCIP 01.10011,565 graduates / yr65 institutions
- Viticulture and EnologyCIP 01.1004239 graduates / yr27 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 degree, Master's degree, or shorter awards ranging from 12 weeks to 2 academic years.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in science, critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication.
What careers can I pursue?+
You can work as a Food Science Technician, Food Scientist, or Agricultural Sciences Teacher.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 4.8% and 3,200 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Food Science and Technology?+
Food Science and Technology is CIP 01.1099 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: Any instructional program in food sciences and technology not listed above.
How many institutions offer Food Science and Technology programs?+
14 U.S. institutions reported Food Science and Technology graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 13 states & territories, awarding 126 credentials in the year. That is 5.6% of all Food Science and Technology graduates.
How much do Food Science and Technology graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Food Science Technicians occupation, which Food Science and Technology 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 $52,084 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.
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