by our College Data Analytics Team
[Food Science](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/food-science-technology/food-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 77 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value food science schools.
What’s on this page:
The food science program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we built our Best Value Food Science Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Food Science Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
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Learn more about our methodology
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in food science, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in food science, no school beat University Of Florida this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for food science graduates is $17,669. Early-career food science graduates make about $58,388. That is a strong return on a $17,669 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fresno earned it the #2 place for food science. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Food Science graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Food Science graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $45,796 early in their careers. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value food science schools. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,781 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. Typical student debt for food science graduates is $17,498. Early-career food science graduates make about $51,883. That is a strong return on a $17,498 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Brigham Young University Idaho earned it the #4 place for food science. Set in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800. Students borrow a median of $13,287 to complete the food science program here. Soon after graduation, food science degree recipients from Brigham Young University Idaho generally make around $43,853. Set against $13,287 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Purdue University Main Campus one of the best values for food science. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Students borrow a median of $19,844 to complete the food science program here. Early-career food science graduates make about $63,111. Set against $19,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
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University Of Georgia landed the #6 spot for food science value this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for food science graduates is $21,792. Soon after graduation, food science degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $82,065. That is a strong return on a $21,792 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Arizona Western College came in at #7 for value in food science this year. Set in the city of Yuma, Arizona Western College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,060, while out-of-state students pay about $9,870. Soon after graduation, food science degree recipients from Arizona Western College generally make around $44,895.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #8 for value in food science this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for food science graduates is $19,000. Early-career food science graduates make about $65,432. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of California Davis ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value food science schools. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Food Science graduates carry a median of $14,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, food science degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $52,084. That is a strong return on a $14,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Brigham Young University Provo placed #10 among the best values for food science. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. Food Science graduates carry a median of $12,184 in student loans. Early-career food science graduates make about $54,507. That is a strong return on a $12,184 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earned the #11 position for value in food science this year. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,161, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. Typical student debt for food science graduates is $20,654. Soon after graduation, food science degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $52,240. That is a strong return on a $20,654 median debt. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo admits about 31% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin River Falls ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value food science schools. University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of River Falls. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,008, while out-of-state students pay about $17,470. Food Science graduates carry a median of $24,245 in student loans. Early-career food science graduates make about $47,577. Set against $24,245 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland College Park landed the #13 spot for food science value this year. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Students borrow a median of $24,730 to complete the food science program here. Soon after graduation, food science degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $24,341. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #14 among the best values for food science. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete the food science program here. Soon after graduation, food science degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $59,877. Set against $21,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
Mississippi State University landed the #15 spot for food science value this year. Mississippi State University is a very large public school located in the town of Mississippi State. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,202, with out-of-state students paying around $27,637. Food Science graduates carry a median of $24,475 in student loans. Soon after graduation, food science degree recipients from Mississippi State University generally make around $47,383. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Alabama A And M University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value food science schools. Set in the city of Normal, Alabama A And M University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,024, compared with $18,634 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,896 to complete the food science program here. Soon after graduation, food science degree recipients from Alabama A And M University generally make around $45,909. That is a strong return on a $31,896 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus placed #17 among the best values for food science. Located in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,110, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for food science graduates is $22,337. Food Science graduates of Oklahoma State University Main Campus earn a median of $50,993 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,337 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #18 spot for food science value this year. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the food science program here. Soon after graduation, food science degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $50,631. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value food science schools. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,785 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,725. Students borrow a median of $26,824 to complete the food science program here. Soon after graduation, food science degree recipients from Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University generally make around $38,719. Set against $26,824 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 21% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Stout ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value food science schools. Located in the town of Menomonie, University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,701 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,265 for out-of-state students. Food Science graduates carry a median of $25,821 in student loans. Soon after graduation, food science degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Stout generally make around $54,235. That is a strong return on a $25,821 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Stout admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Kentucky ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value food science schools. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,502, with out-of-state students paying around $34,140. Typical student debt for food science graduates is $21,250. Food Science graduates of University Of Kentucky earn a median of $49,123 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #22 among the best values for food science. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Typical student debt for food science graduates is $21,050. Early-career food science graduates make about $49,303. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln landed the #23 spot for food science value this year. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Students borrow a median of $22,386 to complete the food science program here. Soon after graduation, food science degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $49,755. Set against $22,386 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arkansas earned the #24 position for value in food science this year. Located in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $29,966. Students borrow a median of $17,750 to complete the food science program here. Food Science graduates of University Of Arkansas earn a median of $53,205 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Kansas State University came in at #25 for value in food science this year. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,221 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,568 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for food science graduates is $24,844. Soon after graduation, food science degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $76,437. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in food science:
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Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Food Science. See all related rankings.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 77 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
