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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Food Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region

5 Colleges in the United States
386 Food Science Degrees Awarded
$62,153 Avg Early-Career Salary

Food Science is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 12 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for food science students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Food Science in the Great Lakes Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall food science education in the Great Lakes Region.

Top Schools in Food Science

1

University Of Wisconsin Madison tops our 2026 ranking of the best food science schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Madison. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 27 food science degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent year. Graduates of the food science program make about $59,877 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in food science from University Of Wisconsin Madison

2
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in food science, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. About 36 food science degrees were awarded at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent 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. Students borrow a median of $19,844 to complete this degree. Read more about the food science program at Purdue University Main Campus

3

Students looking for a strong food science program will find one at Illinois Institute Of Technology, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. Illinois Institute Of Technology awarded about 35 food science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the food science program make about $71,315 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,774. More information about a degree in food science from Illinois Institute Of Technology

4

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in food science, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. There were roughly 129 food science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, food science degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $65,432. Typical student debt for the program is $19,000. See the full food science program report for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

5

Ohio State University Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in food science, ranking #5. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. Ohio State University Main Campus awarded about 48 food science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the food science program make about $59,889 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,534 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in food science from Ohio State University Main Campus

6
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University came in at #6 for food science this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. Michigan State University awarded about 58 food science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the food science program make about $75,787 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Get the full food science details for Michigan State University

7

University Of Wisconsin Stout came in at #7 for food science this year. Set in the town of Menomonie, University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public institution. 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. Read more about the food science program at University Of Wisconsin Stout

8

University Of Wisconsin River Falls landed the #8 spot for food science this year. University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of River Falls. About 57% of students finish within six years. About 10 food science degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin River Falls in the most recent year. Graduates of the food science program make about $47,577 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,245. More information about a degree in food science from University Of Wisconsin River Falls

Narrow Food Science Schools by State

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Notes and References

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 · 12 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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