Best Foods institutions in the US, ranked by earnings
Compare 211 U.S. colleges offering Foods by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 45 states.
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 31 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard, predominant credential).
| # | Institution | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Completions | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas Woman's University Denton, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $46,399 | 53 | 49% | — | $14,104 |
| 2 | Framingham State University Framingham, MA Public · Bachelor's degree | $41,932 | 41 | 48% | — | $26,674 |
| 3 | University of Delaware Newark, DE Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,066 | 8 | 81% | — | $25,536 |
| 4 | The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,836 | 227 | 73% | — | $27,000 |
| 5 | Texas State University San Marcos, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $36,601 | 68 | 55% | — | $23,354 |
| 6 | University of Idaho Moscow, ID Public · Bachelor's degree | $35,212 | 9 | 57% | — | $29,566 |
| 7 | Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $34,540 | 53 | 88% | — | $26,654 |
| 8 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZ Public · Bachelor's degree | $34,467 | 23 | 68% | — | $25,000 |
| 9 | Arizona State University Digital Immersion Scottsdale, AZ Public · Bachelor's degree | $34,467 | 131 | 0% | — | $25,000 |
| 10 | Wayne State University Detroit, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $34,303 | 68 | 58% | — | $22,750 |
| 11 | University of Nebraska - Lincoln Lincoln, NE Public · Bachelor's degree | $33,728 | 168 | 67% | — | $25,256 |
| 12 | Ohio University - Main Campus Athens, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $33,310 | 1 | 65% | — | $25,330 |
| 13 | Utah State University Logan, UT Public · Bachelor's degree | $32,689 | 1 | 59% | — | $9,718 |
| 14 | Johnson & Wales University - Providence Providence, RI Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $32,586 | 90 | 55% | $31,634 | $27,000 |
| 15 | Johnson & Wales University - Charlotte Charlotte, NC Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $32,586 | 50 | 49% | $29,446 | $27,000 |
| 16 | Johnson & Wales University - Online Providence, RI Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $32,586 | 83 | 0% | $21,981 | $27,000 |
| 17 | University of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR Public · Bachelor's degree | $31,986 | 53 | 71% | — | $24,400 |
| 18 | SUNY Oneonta Oneonta, NY Public · Bachelor's degree | $31,624 | 5 | 69% | — | — |
| 19 | Syracuse University Syracuse, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $31,598 | 32 | 84% | $28,851 | $27,000 |
| 20 | Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, TN Public · Bachelor's degree | $30,835 | 43 | 54% | — | $25,853 |
| 21 | Weber State University Ogden, UT Public · Bachelor's degree | $28,714 | 30 | 46% | — | — |
| 22 | University of New Mexico - Main Campus Albuquerque, NM Public · Bachelor's degree | $27,978 | 23 | 55% | — | $24,000 |
| 23 | University of Houston Houston, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $27,648 | 149 | 65% | — | $19,700 |
| 24 | Benedictine University Lisle, IL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $26,474 | 23 | 50% | $23,570 | $26,675 |
| 25 | Stephen F Austin State University Nacogdoches, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $26,168 | 1 | 53% | — | $25,000 |
| 26 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $25,414 | 231 | 86% | — | $25,000 |
| 27 | Oklahoma State University - Main Campus Stillwater, OK Public · Bachelor's degree | $25,076 | 83 | 68% | — | $19,584 |
| 28 | James Madison University Harrisonburg, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $24,860 | 20 | 80% | — | $19,000 |
| 29 | Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus Indiana, PA Public · Bachelor's degree | $23,996 | 21 | 56% | — | $27,000 |
| 30 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC Public · Bachelor's degree | $23,633 | 62 | 91% | — | — |
| 31 | Southern Utah University Cedar City, UT Public · Bachelor's degree | $20,693 | 25 | 61% | — | $15,050 |
Offered across 45 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
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.
Tools & technology
Concentrations within Foods
Specializations under this field (NCES CIP 2020).
- Foods, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies, GeneralCIP 19.0501
A general program that focuses on the role of foods and nutrition in human health and wellness
- Human NutritionCIP 19.0504
A program that focuses on the relationships between food consumption and human development and health
- Foodservice Systems Administration/ManagementCIP 19.0505
A program that focuses on the principles and practices relating to the administration of food service systems in institutional settings, and that prepares individuals to manage such operations in publ
- Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services, OtherCIP 19.0599
Any instructional program in foods, nutrition, and related services not listed above.
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.
Related programs
Other programs in the same field of study.
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