Best institutions to study Foods, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies
A general program that focuses on the role of foods and nutrition in human health and wellness.
151 U.S. institutions graduated 2,082 Foods, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 19.0501, a specialization of Foods (CIP 19.05), and leads most directly to the Dietitians and Nutritionists occupation (BLS SOC 29-1031).
About Foods, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies programs
A general program that focuses on the role of foods and nutrition in human health and wellness. Includes instruction in nutritional care and education, the planning and provision of food services, the development of consumable food products, life-span nutrition and wellness, the principles of nutritional assessment, and food safety and food composition.
See also: 01.1001 - Food Science.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Foods, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies program focuses on the essential role of food and nutrition in promoting human health and wellness. This program is designed for students interested in understanding how dietary choices impact overall well-being and those who aspire to work in food services, nutrition education, or product development.
Students in this program will gain knowledge in nutritional care, food safety, food composition, and the principles of nutritional assessment. Coursework emphasizes critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication skills, preparing graduates to address diverse dietary needs and wellness strategies.
Credentials awarded
What Foods, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree1,037 graduates / yr · 46 institutions50%
- Master's degree526 graduates / yr · 36 institutions25%
- Associate's degree331 graduates / yr · 73 institutions16%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year96 graduates / yr · 23 institutions4.6%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate50 graduates / yr · 7 institutions2.4%
- Award of less than 12 weeks28 graduates / yr · 3 institutions1.3%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship10 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.5%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years3 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.1%
- Post-master's certificate1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.0%
Graduates over time
Foods, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 3,306 |
| 2013 | 3,395 |
| 2014 | 3,584 |
| 2015 | 3,682 |
| 2016 | 3,678 |
| 2017 | 3,610 |
| 2018 | 3,419 |
| 2019 | 3,320 |
| 2020 | 2,978 |
| 2021 | 3,128 |
| 2022 | 2,612 |
| 2023 | 2,395 |
| 2024 | 2,261 |
| 2025 | 2,082 |
Top 50 institutions for Foods, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies, 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 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 219 | 86% | — | $25,414 |
| 2 | University of Nebraska - Lincoln Lincoln, NEPublicBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 191 | 67% | — | $33,728 |
| 3 | Lamar University Beaumont, TXPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 125 | 37% | — | — |
| 4 | University of Arkansas Fayetteville, ARPublicBachelor's | 66 | 71% | — | $31,986 |
| 5 | Oklahoma State University - Main Campus Stillwater, OKPublicBachelor's | 58 | 68% | — | $25,076 |
| 6 | Arizona State University Digital Immersion Scottsdale, AZPublicMaster'sBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 55 | 0% | — | $34,467 |
| 7 | Framingham State University Framingham, MAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 49 | 48% | — | $41,932 |
| 8 | Wayne State University Detroit, MIPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 48 | 58% | — | $34,303 |
| 9 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NCPublicBachelor's | 48 | 91% | — | $23,633 |
| 10 | Texas State University San Marcos, TXPublicBachelor's | 45 | 55% | — | $36,601 |
| 11 | Indiana University of Pennsylvania Indiana, PAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 39 | 56% | — | $23,996 |
| 12 | New York University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 32 | 88% | $29,023 | — |
| 13 | Benedictine University Lisle, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 28 | 50% | $23,570 | $26,474 |
| 14 | CUNY Hunter College New York, NYPublicMaster'sBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 28 | 57% | — | — |
| 15 | North Dakota State University - Main Campus Fargo, NDPublicMaster's | 28 | 64% | — | — |
| 16 | Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, TNPublicBachelor's | 28 | 54% | — | $30,835 |
| 17 | University of Central Arkansas Conway, ARPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 27 | 54% | — | — |
| 18 | James Madison University Harrisonburg, VAPublicBachelor's | 26 | 80% | — | $24,860 |
| 19 | Waldorf University Forest City, IAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 25 | 21% | $22,328 | — |
| 20 | Johnson & Wales University - Providence Providence, RIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 22 | 55% | $31,634 | $32,586 |
| 21 | North Carolina A & T State University Greensboro, NCPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 21 | 57% | — | — |
| 22 | University of Delaware Newark, DEPublicBachelor's | 20 | 81% | — | $39,066 |
| 23 | Meredith College Raleigh, NCPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 20 | 70% | $19,552 | — |
| 24 | Samford University Birmingham, ALPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 19 | 77% | $28,160 | — |
| 25 | Central Arizona College Coolidge, AZPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 19 | 27% | — | — |
| 26 | Syracuse University Syracuse, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 19 | 84% | $28,851 | $31,598 |
| 27 | Long Beach City College Long Beach, CAPublicAssociate's | 18 | 30% | — | — |
| 28 | Santa Monica College Santa Monica, CAPublicAssociate's | 18 | 36% | — | — |
| 29 | University of New Mexico - Main Campus Albuquerque, NMPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 18 | 55% | — | $27,978 |
| 30 | Fullerton College Fullerton, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 17 | 34% | — | — |
| 31 | Montana State University Bozeman, MTPublicBachelor's | 17 | 57% | — | — |
| 32 | Texas Woman's University Denton, TXPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 17 | 49% | — | $46,399 |
| 33 | Mt San Antonio College Walnut, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 16 | 45% | — | — |
| 34 | Georgia Southern University Statesboro, GAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 16 | 55% | — | — |
| 35 | Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, INPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 16 | 40% | — | — |
| 36 | East Los Angeles College Monterey Park, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 15 | 37% | — | — |
| 37 | Los Angeles Mission College Sylmar, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 15 | 20% | — | — |
| 38 | American University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 15 | 75% | $30,225 | — |
| 39 | University of Mississippi University, MSPublicMaster's | 15 | 72% | — | — |
| 40 | East Carolina University Greenville, NCPublicMaster's | 15 | 63% | — | — |
| 41 | Johnson & Wales University - Charlotte Charlotte, NCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 15 | 49% | $29,446 | $32,586 |
| 42 | Riverside City College Riverside, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of less than 12 weeks | 14 | 37% | — | — |
| 43 | Bluffton University Bluffton, OHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 14 | 53% | $17,609 | — |
| 44 | Community College of Denver Denver, COPublicAward of less than 12 weeksAssociate's | 13 | 20% | — | — |
| 45 | Morgan State University Baltimore, MDPublicBachelor's | 13 | 41% | — | — |
| 46 | Lipscomb University Nashville, TNPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 13 | 72% | $24,309 | — |
| 47 | Saddleback College Mission Viejo, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 12 | 48% | — | — |
| 48 | CUNY Lehman College Bronx, NYPublicMaster's | 12 | 51% | — | — |
| 49 | Sam Houston State University Huntsville, TXPublicBachelor's | 12 | 55% | — | — |
| 50 | Bakersfield College Bakersfield, CAPublicAssociate's | 11 | 21% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Foods field (CIP 19.05) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 40 states
Where Foods, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies graduates come from. Each state links to all Foods programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 29-1031, Dietitians and Nutritionists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Foods program can pursue careers as Dietitians and Nutritionists, with a median wage of $73,850. The job outlook is promising, with a growth rate of 5.5% and approximately 6,200 annual openings, primarily requiring a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 19.0501
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Dietitians and Nutritionistsprimary SOC 29-1031 | $76,400 | +5.5% Faster than average | ~6,200 | Bachelor's degree |
Dietetic Technicians SOC 29-2051 | $37,640 | +2.5% About as fast as average | ~4,000 | Associate's degree |
Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1192 | $75,870 | +3.4% About as fast as average | ~200 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Foods, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies 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
- 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 and technology used
Other Foods specializations
The 3 other 6-digit CIP codes under Foods (CIP 19.05).
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, Associate's degree, or a short-term award.
What skills will I develop?+
You'll develop skills in critical thinking, active listening, and nutritional assessment.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a Dietitian, Nutritionist, or Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is faster than average, with a growth rate of 5.5%.
What is the CIP code for Foods, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies?+
Foods, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies is CIP 19.0501 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Foods (CIP 19.05). NCES defines it as: A general program that focuses on the role of foods and nutrition in human health and wellness. Includes instruction in nutritional care and education, the planning and provision of food services, the development of consumable food products, life-span nutrition and wellness, the principles of nutritional assessment, and food safety and food composition.
How many institutions offer Foods, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies programs?+
151 U.S. institutions reported Foods, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 40 states, awarding 2,082 credentials in the year. That is 57.0% of all Foods graduates.
How much do Foods, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Dietitians and Nutritionists occupation, which Foods, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies most directly leads to, pays a median of $76,400 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Foods field report median earnings of $32,586 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