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Best Schools for Food Science in the Far Western Region
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the food science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Food Science
Chapman University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in food science. Located in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 82% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 16 food science students who graduated with this degree at Chapman University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their food science degree from Chapman University earn around $50,947 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,657.
More information about a degree in food science from Chapman University
Students looking for a strong food science program will find one at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 44 food science students who graduated with this degree at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent data year. Graduates of the food science program make about $52,240 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,654 to complete this degree.
See the full food science program report for California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
University Of California Davis is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in food science, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 52 food science degrees were awarded at University Of California Davis in the most recent year. Graduates of the food science program make about $52,084 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,750.
More information about a degree in food science from University Of California Davis
Students looking for a strong food science program will find one at California State Polytechnic University Pomona, which ranked #4. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 30 food science students who graduated with this degree at California State Polytechnic University Pomona in the most recent data year. Graduates of the food science program make about $51,883 in their early career. California State Polytechnic University Pomona graduates carry a median of $17,498 in student loans.
Read more about the food science program at California State Polytechnic University Pomona
California State University Fresno came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best food science schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Fresno. About 57% of students finish within six years. California State University Fresno awarded about 27 food science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their food science degree from California State University Fresno earn around $45,796 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,500.
See the full food science program report for California State University Fresno
Oregon State University earned the #6 position for food science this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Corvallis. Oregon State University graduates 70% of students within six years. Oregon State University awarded about 24 food science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, food science degree recipients from Oregon State University generally make around $43,923. Students borrow a median of $20,945 to complete this degree.
Read more about the food science program at Oregon State University
Narrow Food Science Schools by State
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 10 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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