Best colleges for Foods
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Foods by graduate earnings are Framingham State University ($41,932), University of Delaware ($39,066) and The University of Alabama ($37,836), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- Framingham State University (Framingham, MA): $41,932, 49 graduates a year
- University of Delaware (Newark, DE): $39,066, 20 graduates a year
- The University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa, AL): $37,836, 203 graduates a year
- Texas State University (San Marcos, TX): $36,601, 66 graduates a year
- Ohio State University (Columbus, OH): $34,540, 62 graduates a year
Compare 210 U.S. colleges offering Foods by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 46 states.
Foods programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $32,586 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 19.05 and the Dietitians and Nutritionists occupation (BLS SOC).
About Foods programs
The Foods program, officially titled Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services, is designed for individuals interested in exploring the multifaceted relationship between food and society. This program falls under the field of Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences and encompasses a broad range of topics, including nutrition, wellness, and foodservice management.
Students will gain essential skills in reading comprehension, critical thinking, and effective communication. Coursework covers various aspects of biology, psychology, and customer service, preparing graduates to assess nutritional needs and develop dietary plans tailored to individual and community health.
Top 25 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Framingham State University Framingham, MA Public · Bachelor's degree | $41,932 | 49 | 48% | — | $26,674 |
| 2 | University of Delaware Newark, DE Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,066 | 20 | 81% | — | $25,536 |
| 3 | The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,836 | 203 | 73% | — | $27,000 |
| 4 | Texas State University San Marcos, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $36,601 | 66 | 55% | — | $23,354 |
| 5 | Ohio State University Columbus, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $34,540 | 62 | 88% | — | $26,654 |
| 6 | Wayne State University Detroit, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $34,303 | 48 | 58% | — | $22,750 |
| 7 | University of Nebraska-Lincoln Lincoln, NE Public · Bachelor's degree | $33,728 | 191 | 67% | — | $25,256 |
| 8 | Johnson & Wales University - Providence Providence, RI Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $32,586 | 83 | 55% | $31,634 | $27,000 |
| 9 | Johnson & Wales University - Charlotte Charlotte, NC Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $32,586 | 65 | 49% | $29,446 | $27,000 |
| 10 | University of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR Public · Bachelor's degree | $31,986 | 66 | 71% | — | $24,400 |
| 11 | Syracuse University Syracuse, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $31,598 | 28 | 84% | $28,851 | $27,000 |
| 12 | Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, TN Public · Bachelor's degree | $30,835 | 28 | 54% | — | $25,853 |
| 13 | Weber State University Ogden, UT Public · Bachelor's degree | $28,714 | 30 | 46% | — | — |
| 14 | University of Houston Houston, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $27,648 | 138 | 65% | — | $19,700 |
| 15 | Benedictine University Lisle, IL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $26,474 | 28 | 50% | $23,570 | $26,675 |
| 16 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $25,414 | 219 | 86% | — | $25,000 |
| 17 | Oklahoma State University Stillwater, OK Public · Bachelor's degree | $25,076 | 58 | 68% | — | $19,584 |
| 18 | James Madison University Harrisonburg, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $24,860 | 26 | 80% | — | $19,000 |
| 19 | Indiana University of Pennsylvania Indiana, PA Public · Bachelor's degree | $23,996 | 39 | 56% | — | $27,000 |
| 20 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC Public · Bachelor's degree | $23,633 | 48 | 91% | — | — |
| 21 | Southern Utah University Cedar City, UT Public · Bachelor's degree | $20,693 | 46 | 61% | — | $15,050 |
| 22 | Texas Woman's University Denton, TX Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $46,399 | 17 | 49% | — | $14,104 |
| 23 | University of Idaho Moscow, ID Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $35,212 | 11 | 57% | — | $29,566 |
| 24 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZ Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $34,467 | 7 | 68% | — | $25,000 |
| 25 | Arizona State University Digital Immersion Scottsdale, AZ Public · Bachelor's degree Online | $34,467 | 90 | 0% | — | $25,000 |
Specializations within Foods
4 of the 4 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 19.05 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- Foods, Nutrition, and Wellness StudiesCIP 19.05012,082 graduates / yr151 institutions40 states
- Human NutritionCIP 19.05041,129 graduates / yr49 institutions25 states
- Foodservice Systems Administration/CIP 19.0505
Management 333 graduates / yr30 institutions14 states - Foods, Nutrition, and Related ServicesCIP 19.0599111 graduates / yr10 institutions7 states
Offered across 46 states
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 29-1031, Dietitians and Nutritionists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Foods program can pursue careers in nutrition counseling, foodservice management, and wellness coaching. The job outlook is promising, with a projected growth rate of 5.5% and about 6,200 annual openings. Most positions require a Bachelor's degree, with a median wage of $73,850.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Foods
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 19.05.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 19.05 (Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services) maps to 6 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 11-9051 | Food Service Managers |
| 25-1192 | Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 29-1031 | Dietitians and Nutritionistsprimary |
| 29-2051 | Dietetic Technicians |
| 35-1012 | First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers |
| 35-2012 | Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Foods programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
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.
Common questions
What specializations are available in the Foods program?+
Specializations include Foods, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies, Human Nutrition, Foodservice Systems Administration/Management, and other related services.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active listening, writing, and learning strategies, among others.
What kind of careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can pursue careers in nutrition counseling, foodservice management, and wellness coaching.
What is the job outlook for graduates in this field?+
The job outlook is faster than average, with a growth rate of 5.5% and approximately 6,200 annual openings.
How much do Foods graduates earn?+
Foods graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $32,586, College Scorecard (2019); the Dietitians and Nutritionists occupation pays about $77,130 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Foods?+
Foods maps to CIP 19.05 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
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.
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