2026 Best Value Food Science Schools in the Southeast Region
[Food Science](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/food-science-technology/food-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong food science education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 14 schools to find the best return on investment for food science students.
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2026 Best Value Food Science Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in food science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Food Science Schools
University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among food science schools in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Set against $17,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Georgia earned it the #2 place for food science. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Food Science graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans. Early-career food science graduates make about $82,065. That is a strong return on a $21,792 median debt. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in food science will find it at Mississippi State University, which ranked #3. Mississippi State University is a very large public school located in the town of Mississippi State. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,202, with out-of-state students paying around $27,637. Food Science graduates carry a median of $24,475 in student loans. Food Science graduates of Mississippi State University earn a median of $47,383 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,475 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in food science will find it at Alabama A And M University, which ranked #4. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $18,634. Students borrow a median of $31,896 to complete the food science program here. Early-career food science graduates make about $45,909. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value food science schools. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,785, with out-of-state students paying around $17,725. 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.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #6 spot for food science value this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Typical student debt for food science graduates is $21,000. Food Science graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $50,631 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kentucky landed the #7 spot for food science value this year. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,502, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for food science graduates is $21,250. Soon after graduation, food science degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $49,123. Set against $21,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of Arkansas earned the #8 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. Food Science graduates carry a median of $17,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, food science degree recipients from University Of Arkansas generally make around $53,205. That is a strong return on a $17,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
The University Of Tennessee landed the #9 spot for food science value this year. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,812 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,256. Students borrow a median of $20,632 to complete the food science program here. 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.
Clemson University landed the #10 spot for food science value this year. Located in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,554, compared with $40,866 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for food science graduates is $25,000. Early-career food science graduates make about $39,600. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value food science schools. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,948, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. Food Science graduates carry a median of $26,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, food science degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $56,274. That is a strong return on a $26,875 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Auburn University came in at #12 for value in food science this year. Auburn University is a very large public school located in the city of Auburn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,890, with out-of-state students paying around $34,922. Students borrow a median of $22,803 to complete the food science program here. Food Science graduates of Auburn University earn a median of $55,422 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
