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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Food Science Schools in the Southeast Region

6 Colleges in the United States
327 Food Science Degrees Awarded
$52,061 Avg Early-Career Salary

Food Science is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their food science programs.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 14 schools to find the best for food science students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Food Science in the Southeast 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

1

University Of Georgia is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in food science. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. University Of Georgia graduates 90% of students within six years. There were roughly 23 food science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Georgia in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, food science degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $82,065. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete this degree. Read more about the food science program at University Of Georgia

2
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

A rank of #2 makes University Of Florida one of the top schools for food science. This very large public university is located in the city of Gainesville. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. About 47 food science degrees were awarded at University Of Florida in the most recent year. Graduates of the food science program make about $58,388 in their early career. University Of Florida graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans. Read more about the food science program at University Of Florida

3
University Of Arkansas crest
University Of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR

University Of Arkansas is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in food science, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. About 36 food science degrees were awarded at University Of Arkansas in the most recent year. Students who receive their food science degree from University Of Arkansas earn around $53,205 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,750. See the full food science program report for University Of Arkansas

4

Students looking for a strong food science program will find one at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University awarded about 23 food science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their food science degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn around $56,274 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,875. Get the full food science details for Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

5

Students looking for a strong food science program will find one at North Carolina State University At Raleigh, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 26 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. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete this degree. Get the full food science details for North Carolina State University At Raleigh

6

The University Of Tennessee ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best food science schools. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. The University Of Tennessee awarded about 23 food science degrees in the most recent data year. Food Science graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $48,441 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,632 to complete this degree. See the full food science program report for The University Of Tennessee

7
Clemson University crest
Clemson University
Clemson, SC

Clemson University came in at #7 for food science this year. Set in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public institution. Clemson University graduates 87% of students within six years. About 86 food science degrees were awarded at Clemson University in the most recent year. Graduates of the food science program make about $39,600 in their early career. Clemson University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Get the full food science details for Clemson University

8
Mississippi State University crest
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS

Mississippi State University came in at #8 for food science this year. Set in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public institution. About 67% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 30 food science students who graduated with this degree at Mississippi State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the food science program make about $47,383 in their early career. Mississippi State University graduates carry a median of $24,475 in student loans. See the full food science program report for Mississippi State University

9

Alabama A And M University landed the #9 spot for food science this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Normal. About 24% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 23 food science students who graduated with this degree at Alabama A And M University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their food science degree from Alabama A And M University earn around $45,909 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $31,896 to complete this degree. Read more about the food science program at Alabama A And M University

10

Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University landed the #10 spot for food science this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University is a large public institution. Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University graduates 53% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 food science students who graduated with this degree at Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their food science degree from Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University earn around $38,719 in the first couple years of their career. Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University graduates carry a median of $26,824 in student loans. More information about a degree in food science from Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 14 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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