Best institutions to study Food Technology and Processing
A program that focuses on the application of chemical, physical, and engineering principles to the development and implementation of manufacturing, packaging, storage, and distribution technologies and processes for food products.
20 U.S. institutions graduated 98 Food Technology and Processing students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 01.1002, 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 Technology and Processing programs
A program that focuses on the application of chemical, physical, and engineering principles to the development and implementation of manufacturing, packaging, storage, and distribution technologies and processes for food products. Includes instruction in food engineering, food preservation and handling, food preparation, food packaging and display, food storage and shipment, and related equipment and facilities design, operation, and maintenance.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Food Technology and Processing program, a subset of Food Science and Technology, focuses on applying chemical, physical, and engineering principles to food product manufacturing, packaging, storage, and distribution. This program is designed for students interested in the science behind food production and the technologies that ensure food safety and quality.
Students will gain skills in food engineering, preservation, handling, packaging, and storage. Coursework emphasizes critical thinking, science, and practical applications in food production processes, preparing graduates for various roles in the food industry.
Credentials awarded
What Food Technology and Processing graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree27 graduates / yr · 3 institutions28%
- Bachelor's degree17 graduates / yr · 6 institutions17%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years17 graduates / yr · 3 institutions17%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year13 graduates / yr · 5 institutions13%
- Associate's degree12 graduates / yr · 5 institutions12%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship11 graduates / yr · 2 institutions11%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate1 graduates / yr · 1 institution1.0%
Graduates over time
Food Technology and Processing completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 52 |
| 2013 | 41 |
| 2014 | 52 |
| 2015 | 94 |
| 2016 | 100 |
| 2017 | 129 |
| 2018 | 112 |
| 2019 | 135 |
| 2020 | 87 |
| 2021 | 95 |
| 2022 | 97 |
| 2023 | 94 |
| 2024 | 96 |
| 2025 | 98 |
Top 20 institutions for Food Technology and Processing, 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 | Kansas State University Manhattan, KSPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 17 | 71% | — | $62,479 |
| 2 | University of Georgia Athens, GAPublicMaster's | 13 | 90% | — | — |
| 3 | Hartnell College Salinas, CAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 10 | 40% | — | — |
| 4 | California State University - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAPublicBachelor's | 9 | 53% | — | $52,806 |
| 5 | Cowley County Community College Arkansas City, KSPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 8 | 45% | — | — |
| 6 | North Dakota State University - Main Campus Fargo, NDPublicDoctoralMaster's | 8 | 64% | — | — |
| 7 | Bakersfield College Bakersfield, CAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 7 | 21% | — | — |
| 8 | University of Arkansas Fayetteville, ARPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 4 | 71% | — | $53,205 |
| 9 | College of Southern Idaho Twin Falls, IDPublicAssociate's | 3 | 33% | — | — |
| 10 | Minnesota State University - Mankato Mankato, MNPublicBachelor's | 3 | 54% | — | — |
| 11 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearBachelor's | 3 | 84% | — | — |
| 12 | University of Puerto Rico - Utuado Utuado, PRPublicAssociate's | 3 | 23% | — | — |
| 13 | New Mexico State University - Main Campus Las Cruces, NMPublicBachelor's | 2 | 55% | — | — |
| 14 | Milwaukee Area Technical College Milwaukee, WIPublicAssociate's | 2 | 25% | — | — |
| 15 | San Diego Mesa College San Diego, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 35% | — | — |
| 16 | Western Kentucky University Bowling Green, KYPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 56% | — | — |
| 17 | University of Maine Orono, MEPublicPost-degree cert. | 1 | 55% | — | $36,255 |
| 18 | Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MIPublicBachelor's | 1 | 58% | — | — |
| 19 | SUNY College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill Cobleskill, NYPublicBachelor's | 1 | 42% | — | — |
| 20 | Blackhawk Technical College Janesville, WIPublicAssociate's | 1 | 34% | — | — |
* 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 15 states & territories
Where Food Technology and Processing graduates come from. Each state links to all Food Science and Technology programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 4 | 27 | Hartnell College10 / yr |
| Kansas | 2 | 25 | Kansas State University17 / yr |
| Georgia | 1 | 13 | University of Georgia13 / yr |
| North Dakota | 1 | 8 | North Dakota State University - Main Campus8 / yr |
| Arkansas | 1 | 4 | University of Arkansas4 / yr |
| Wisconsin | 2 | 3 | Milwaukee Area Technical College2 / yr |
| Idaho | 1 | 3 | College of Southern Idaho3 / yr |
| Minnesota | 1 | 3 | Minnesota State University - Mankato3 / yr |
| Texas | 1 | 3 | Texas A&M University - College Station3 / yr |
| Puerto Rico | 1 | 3 | University of Puerto Rico - Utuado3 / yr |
| New Mexico | 1 | 2 | New Mexico State University - Main Campus2 / yr |
| Kentucky | 1 | 1 | Western Kentucky University1 / yr |
| Maine | 1 | 1 | University of Maine1 / yr |
| Michigan | 1 | 1 | Western Michigan University1 / yr |
| New York | 1 | 1 | SUNY College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-4013, Food Science Technicians, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Food Technology and Processing program can pursue careers as Food Science Technicians or Food Scientists and Technologists. The job outlook is promising, with an expected growth rate of 4.8% and about 3,200 annual openings. The median wage for these positions is approximately $49,430, with typical education requirements being an Associate's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 01.1002
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 |
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 Technology and Processing 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
- 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
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Master's degree, Bachelor's degree, or various awards for shorter academic programs.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in reading comprehension, active listening, writing, critical thinking, and science.
What are the job prospects after graduation?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with 3,200 annual openings in the field.
What roles can I pursue with this degree?+
You can work as a Food Science Technician or a Food Scientist and Technologist.
What is the CIP code for Food Technology and Processing?+
Food Technology and Processing is CIP 01.1002 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 chemical, physical, and engineering principles to the development and implementation of manufacturing, packaging, storage, and distribution technologies and processes for food products. Includes instruction in food engineering, food preservation and handling, food preparation, food packaging and display, food storage and shipment, and related equipment and facilities design, operation, and maintenance.
How many institutions offer Food Technology and Processing programs?+
20 U.S. institutions reported Food Technology and Processing graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 15 states & territories, awarding 98 credentials in the year. That is 4.4% of all Food Science and Technology graduates.
How much do Food Technology and Processing graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Food Science Technicians occupation, which Food Technology and Processing 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 $53,205 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