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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Food Science Master’s Degree Schools

10 Colleges in the United States
447 Food Science Degrees Awarded
$62,470 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.

College Factual analyzed 77 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best food science schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Food Science in the United States

These are the top schools for a master’s degree in food science, based on student outcomes and program quality.

Top Schools in Food Science

1

Our analysis ranked Cornell University the best school in the country for a degree in food science. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Cornell University graduates 95% of students within six years. About 24 food science degrees were awarded at Cornell University in the most recent year. Food Science graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $64,062 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,750. Read more about the food science program at Cornell University

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

A rank of #2 makes Purdue University Main Campus one of the top schools for food science. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. About 83% of students finish within six years. Purdue University Main Campus awarded about 11 food science degrees in the most recent data year. Food Science graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $63,111 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,844. Get the full food science details for Purdue University Main Campus

3

University Of Missouri Columbia is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in food science, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 12 food science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent data year. Food Science graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $53,134 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,818 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in food science from University Of Missouri Columbia

4

Chapman University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best food science schools. Located in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 82% of students finish within six years. Chapman University awarded about 16 food science degrees in the most recent data year. Food Science graduates of Chapman University earn a median of $50,947 early in their careers. Chapman University graduates carry a median of $21,657 in student loans. Get the full food science details for Chapman University

5

A rank of #5 makes Illinois Institute Of Technology one of the top schools for food science. Located in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 33 food science students who graduated with this degree at Illinois Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Graduates of the food science program make about $71,315 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,774 to complete this degree. Get the full food science details for Illinois Institute Of Technology

6

Texas Tech University placed #6 among the best food science schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Lubbock. Texas Tech University graduates 69% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 food science students who graduated with this degree at Texas Tech University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the food science program make about $50,332 in their early career. Texas Tech University graduates carry a median of $24,271 in student loans. Get the full food science details for Texas Tech University

7

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best food science schools. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 43 food science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their food science degree from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn around $89,713 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete this degree. Get the full food science details for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

8

University Of Massachusetts Amherst earned the #8 position for food science this year. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. About 83% of students finish within six years. University Of Massachusetts Amherst awarded about 12 food science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, food science degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $59,547. Students borrow a median of $25,234 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in food science from University Of Massachusetts Amherst

9
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University placed #9 among the best food science schools. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Michigan State University graduates 81% of students within six years. There were roughly 35 food science students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their food science degree from Michigan State University earn around $92,232 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. See the full food science program report for Michigan State University

10

Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #10 position for food science this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. About 88% of students finish within six years. About 11 food science degrees were awarded at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent 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. Read more about the food science program at Ohio State University Main Campus

11

University Of Georgia came in at #11 for food science this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 15 food science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Georgia in the most recent data year. Food Science graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $82,065 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in food science from University Of Georgia

12
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida placed #12 among the best food science schools. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. University Of Florida graduates 91% of students within six years. University Of Florida awarded about 21 food science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their food science degree from University Of Florida earn around $58,388 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete this degree. Read more about the food science program at University Of Florida

13

University Of Wisconsin Stout earned the #13 position for food science this year. University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Menomonie. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. There were roughly 20 food science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Stout in the most recent data year. Students who receive their food science degree from University Of Wisconsin Stout earn around $54,235 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,821. Get the full food science details for University Of Wisconsin Stout

14

North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned the #14 position for food science this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Raleigh. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates 85% of students within six years. There were roughly 13 food science students who graduated with this degree at North Carolina State University At Raleigh 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

15

Kansas State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best food science schools. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 38 food science degrees were awarded at Kansas State University in the most recent year. Food Science graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $90,394 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,844 to complete this degree. Read more about the food science program at Kansas State University

16
Clemson University crest
Clemson University
Clemson, SC

Clemson University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best food science schools. Located in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public university. Clemson University graduates 87% of students within six years. Clemson University awarded about 86 food science degrees in the most recent data year. Food Science graduates of Clemson University earn a median of $39,600 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. Read more about the food science program at Clemson University

17

Oregon State University earned the #17 position for food science this year. Set in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 24 food science students who graduated with this degree at Oregon State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, food science degree recipients from Oregon State University generally make around $43,923. Typical student debt for the program is $20,945. Read more about the food science program at Oregon State University

18

University Of Maine ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best food science schools. Located in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public university. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 22 food science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Maine in the most recent data year. Food Science graduates of University Of Maine earn a median of $50,941 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in food science from University Of Maine

Other Food Science Degree Levels

Explore the best food science schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Food Science
Associate's Degrees in Food Science
Bachelor's Degrees in Food Science
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View All Food Science Rankings >

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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