Food Science programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
College Factual analyzed 77 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best food science schools.
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Choosing a Great Food Science School
Where you study food science matters for your future. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Food Science rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
We offer several rankings, including this Best Food Science Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
No school ranked higher than Cornell University this year for food science. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. Cornell University awarded about 67 food science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, food science degree recipients from Cornell University generally make around $64,062. Typical student debt for the program is $15,750.
See the full food science program report for Cornell University
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in food science, ranking #2. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 44 food science students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent data year.
Read more about the food science program at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best food science schools. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. About 90% of students finish within six years. About 27 food science degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent year. Food Science graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $59,877 early in their careers. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans.
Read more about the food science program at University Of Wisconsin Madison
Students looking for a strong food science program will find one at Purdue University Main Campus, which ranked #4. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. There were roughly 36 food science students who graduated with this degree at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their food science degree from Purdue University Main Campus earn around $63,111 in the first couple years of their career. Purdue University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $19,844 in student loans.
Get the full food science details for Purdue University Main Campus
A rank of #5 makes Chapman University one of the top schools for food science. Set in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Chapman University graduates 82% of students within six years. Chapman University awarded about 16 food science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, food science degree recipients from Chapman University generally make around $50,947. Typical student debt for the program is $21,657.
See the full food science program report for Chapman University
Illinois Institute Of Technology earned the #6 position for food science this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. There were roughly 35 food science students who graduated with this degree at Illinois Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, food science degree recipients from Illinois Institute Of Technology generally make around $71,315. Illinois Institute Of Technology graduates carry a median of $26,774 in student loans.
More information about a degree in food science from Illinois Institute Of Technology
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earned the #7 position for food science this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo awarded about 44 food science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their food science degree from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn around $52,240 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,654 to complete this degree.
Get the full food science details for California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
Texas Tech University earned the #8 position for food science this year. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. About 69% of students finish within six years. About 15 food science degrees were awarded at Texas Tech University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, food science degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $50,332. Typical student debt for the program is $24,271.
Read more about the food science program at Texas Tech University
University Of California Davis earned the #9 position for food science this year. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 52 food science degrees were awarded at University Of California Davis in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, food science degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $52,084. Students borrow a median of $14,750 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in food science from University Of California Davis
University Of Missouri Columbia earned the #10 position for food science this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. About 75% of students finish within six years. University Of Missouri Columbia awarded about 31 food science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their food science degree from University Of Missouri Columbia earn around $53,134 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,818.
Read more about the food science program at University Of Missouri Columbia
University Of Massachusetts Amherst placed #11 among the best food science schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Amherst. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. There were roughly 41 food science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Massachusetts Amherst in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, food science degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $59,547. Typical student debt for the program is $25,234.
See the full food science program report for University Of Massachusetts Amherst
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #12 position for food science this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 129 food science degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Food Science graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $65,432 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,000.
Read more about the food science program at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #13 for food science this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbus. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. There were roughly 48 food science students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, food science degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $59,889. Students borrow a median of $20,534 to complete this degree.
Read more about the food science program at Ohio State University Main Campus
University Of Georgia came in at #14 for food science this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. University Of Georgia graduates 90% of students within six years. University Of Georgia awarded about 23 food science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, food science degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $82,065. Typical student debt for the program is $21,792.
See the full food science program report for University Of Georgia
Michigan State University placed #15 among the best food science schools. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. About 58 food science degrees were awarded at Michigan State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, food science degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $75,787. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
See the full food science program report for Michigan State University
University Of Florida came in at #16 for food science this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. There were roughly 47 food science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Florida in the most recent data year. Food Science graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $58,388 early in their careers. University Of Florida graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans.
Read more about the food science program at University Of Florida
California State Polytechnic University Pomona came in at #17 for food science this year. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 30 food science degrees were awarded at California State Polytechnic University Pomona in the most recent year. Graduates of the food science program make about $51,883 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,498.
See the full food science program report for California State Polytechnic University Pomona
University Of Wisconsin Stout ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best food science schools. Located in the town of Menomonie, University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public university. University Of Wisconsin Stout graduates 55% of students within six years. University Of Wisconsin Stout awarded about 43 food science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, food science degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Stout generally make around $54,235. Typical student debt for the program is $25,821.
See the full food science program report for University Of Wisconsin Stout
University Of Arkansas came in at #19 for food science this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Fayetteville. University Of Arkansas graduates 70% of students within six years. There were roughly 36 food science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Arkansas in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, food science degree recipients from University Of Arkansas generally make around $53,205. University Of Arkansas graduates carry a median of $17,750 in student loans.
More information about a degree in food science from University Of Arkansas
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best food science schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Blacksburg. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 23 food science degrees were awarded at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the food science program make about $56,274 in their early career. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates carry a median of $26,875 in student loans.
More information about a degree in food science from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
California State University Fresno ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best food science schools. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 27 food science students who graduated with this degree at California State University Fresno in the most recent data year. Food Science graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $45,796 early in their careers. California State University Fresno graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans.
Read more about the food science program at California State University Fresno
University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #22 for food science this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Lincoln. About 67% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 63 food science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Nebraska Lincoln in the most recent data year. Students who receive their food science degree from University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn around $49,755 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,386 to complete this degree.
Read more about the food science program at University Of Nebraska Lincoln
Kansas State University placed #23 among the best food science schools. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. There were roughly 71 food science students who graduated with this degree at Kansas State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their food science degree from Kansas State University earn around $76,437 in the first couple years of their career. Kansas State University graduates carry a median of $24,844 in student loans.
See the full food science program report for Kansas State University
North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned the #24 position for food science this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. North Carolina State University At Raleigh awarded about 26 food science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, food science degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $50,631. Typical student debt for the program is $21,000.
See the full food science program report for North Carolina State University At Raleigh
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #25 for food science this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of College Park. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Maryland College Park awarded about 36 food science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their food science degree from University Of Maryland College Park earn around $24,341 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Maryland College Park graduates carry a median of $24,730 in student loans.
Get the full food science details for University Of Maryland College Park
Rest of the Top 40 Food Science Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s food science ranking:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 77 schools evaluated.
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).
