2026 Best Value Food Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools

1

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among food science schools in the United States. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for food science graduates is $17,669. Soon after graduation, food science degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $58,388. That is a strong return on a $17,669 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.

2

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

A rank of #2 makes California State University Fresno one of the best values for food science. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Typical student debt for food science graduates is $16,500. Food Science graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $45,796 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.

3

California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Pomona, CA

A rank of #3 makes California State Polytechnic University Pomona one of the best values for food science. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,781 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,381. Students borrow a median of $17,498 to complete the food science program here. Soon after graduation, food science degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona generally make around $51,883. That is a strong return on a $17,498 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.

4

Brigham Young University Idaho
Rexburg, ID

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Brigham Young University Idaho earned it the #4 place for food science. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees. Food Science graduates carry a median of $13,287 in student loans. Early-career food science graduates make about $43,853. That is a strong return on a $13,287 median debt. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.

5

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value food science schools. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $19,844 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.

6

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis earned the #6 position for value in food science this year. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,804 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Food Science graduates carry a median of $14,750 in student loans. Early-career food science graduates make about $52,084. Set against $14,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value food science schools. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for food science graduates is $19,000. Soon after graduation, food science degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $41,150. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.

8

Brigham Young University Provo
Provo, UT

Brigham Young University Provo placed #8 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,688. Food Science graduates carry a median of $12,184 in student loans. Food Science graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $54,507 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,184 median debt. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.

9

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value food science schools. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,161, compared with $33,230 for out-of-state students. Food Science graduates carry a median of $20,654 in student loans. Early-career food science graduates make about $52,240. That is a strong return on a $20,654 median debt. The acceptance rate is 31%.

10

University Of Wisconsin River Falls
River Falls, WI

University Of Wisconsin River Falls came in at #10 for value in food science this year. Located in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,008, with out-of-state students paying around $17,470. Food Science graduates carry a median of $24,245 in student loans. Food Science graduates of University Of Wisconsin River Falls earn a median of $47,577 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,245 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.

11

University Of Maryland College Park
College Park, MD

University Of Maryland College Park earned the #11 position for value in food science this year. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Food Science graduates carry a median of $24,730 in student loans. 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. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

12

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value food science schools. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. 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.

13

Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS

Mississippi State University earned the #13 position for value in food science this year. Mississippi State University is a very large public school located in the town of Mississippi State. In-state tuition and fees average $10,202, while out-of-state students pay about $27,637. Students borrow a median of $24,475 to complete the food science program here. Early-career food science graduates make about $47,383. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.

14

Alabama A And M University
Normal, AL

Alabama A And M University earned the #14 position for value in food science this year. Located in the city of Normal, Alabama A And M University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,024 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,634 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,896 to complete the food science program here. Early-career food science graduates make about $45,909. That is a strong return on a $31,896 median debt. Alabama A And M University admits about 58% of applicants.

15

Oklahoma State University Main Campus
Stillwater, OK

Oklahoma State University Main Campus placed #15 among the best values for food science. Set in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,110, with out-of-state students paying around $25,630. Students borrow a median of $22,337 to complete the food science program here. Food Science graduates of Oklahoma State University Main Campus earn a median of $50,993 early in their careers. Set against $22,337 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

16

North Carolina State University At Raleigh
Raleigh, NC

North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #16 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. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Food Science graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, food science degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $50,631. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

17

University Of Wisconsin Stout
Menomonie, WI

University Of Wisconsin Stout earned the #17 position for value in food science this year. Set in the town of Menomonie, University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,701, while out-of-state students pay about $19,265. Students borrow a median of $25,821 to complete the food science program here. Early-career food science graduates make about $54,235. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Stout admits about 88% of applicants.

18

Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University ranked #18 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,785, compared with $17,725 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,824 to complete the food science program here. Early-career food science graduates make about $38,719. Set against $26,824 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 21% of applicants are accepted.

19

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #19 among the best values for food science. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Typical student debt for food science graduates is $21,050. Food Science graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $49,303 early in their careers. Set against $21,050 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.

20

University Of Nebraska Lincoln
Lincoln, NE

University Of Nebraska Lincoln earned the #20 position for value in food science 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, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Students borrow a median of $22,386 to complete the food science program here. Food Science graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $49,755 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.

21

University Of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR

University Of Arkansas ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value food science schools. Located in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Early-career food science graduates make about $53,205. That is a strong return on a $17,750 median debt. University Of Arkansas admits about 74% of applicants.

22

Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS

Kansas State University landed the #22 spot for food science value 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. Food Science graduates carry a median of $24,844 in student loans. Food Science graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $62,479 early in their careers. Set against $24,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants.

23

The University Of Tennessee
Knoxville, TN

The University Of Tennessee ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value food science schools. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. In-state tuition and fees average $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Typical student debt for food science graduates is $20,632. Soon after graduation, food science degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $48,441. That is a strong return on a $20,632 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

24

Iowa State University
Ames, IA

Iowa State University earned the #24 position for value in food science this year. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Food Science graduates carry a median of $26,254 in student loans. Food Science graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $60,351 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.

25

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #25 position for value in food science this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Typical student debt for food science graduates is $20,534. Food Science graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $59,889 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.