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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Food Science Technology Bachelor’s Degree Schools

28 Colleges in the United States
$21,719 Avg Student Debt
$66,808 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Food Science Technology Bachelor's Degree Badge [Food Science Technology](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/food-science-technology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 161 schools to find the best return on investment for food science technology students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Food Science Technology Schools in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in food science technology, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Food Science Technology Schools

1
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in food science technology in the United States. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete the food science technology program here. Early-career food science technology graduates make about $58,388. Set against $17,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.

2

California State University Fresno came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value food science technology schools. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the food science technology program here. Food Science Technology graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $45,796 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Brigham Young University Idaho earned it the #3 place for food science technology. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800. Typical student debt for food science technology graduates is $13,287. Early-career food science technology graduates make about $43,853. That is a strong return on a $13,287 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

4

Students looking for strong value in food science technology will find it 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,781, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. Typical student debt for food science technology graduates is $17,498. Early-career food science technology graduates make about $51,883. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State Polytechnic University Pomona admits about 75% of applicants.

5
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value food science technology schools. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Typical student debt for food science technology graduates is $19,844. Early-career food science technology graduates make about $63,111. Set against $19,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.

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6

University Of California Davis earned the #6 position for value in food science technology this year. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,804 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Food Science Technology graduates carry a median of $14,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, food science technology degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $52,084. That is a strong return on a $14,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.

7

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #7 among the best values for food science technology. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Food Science Technology graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Early-career food science technology graduates make about $41,150. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.

8

Brigham Young University Provo ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value food science technology schools. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,688. Students borrow a median of $12,184 to complete the food science technology program here. Soon after graduation, food science technology degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $54,507. Set against $12,184 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.

9

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo landed the #9 spot for food science technology value this year. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,161 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,230 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for food science technology graduates is $20,654. Soon after graduation, food science technology degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $52,240. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo admits about 31% of applicants.

10

University Of Wisconsin River Falls came in at #10 for value in food science technology this year. Located in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,008, with out-of-state students paying around $17,470. Food Science Technology graduates carry a median of $24,245 in student loans. Food Science Technology graduates of University Of Wisconsin River Falls earn a median of $47,577 early in their careers. Set against $24,245 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

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University Of Maryland College Park landed the #11 spot for food science technology value this year. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Typical student debt for food science technology graduates is $24,730. Early-career food science technology graduates make about $24,341. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.

12

University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #12 for value in food science technology this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for food science technology graduates is $21,813. Food Science Technology graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $59,877 early in their careers. Set against $21,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.

13
Mississippi State University crest
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS

Mississippi State University came in at #13 for value in food science technology this year. Located in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,202, while out-of-state students pay about $27,637. Typical student debt for food science technology graduates is $24,475. Early-career food science technology graduates make about $47,383. That is a strong return on a $24,475 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.

14

Alabama A And M University came in at #14 for value in food science technology this year. Located in the city of Normal, Alabama A And M University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,024, while out-of-state students pay about $18,634. Students borrow a median of $31,896 to complete the food science technology program here. Food Science Technology graduates of Alabama A And M University earn a median of $45,909 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,896 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.

15

Oklahoma State University Main Campus placed #15 among the best values for food science technology. Located in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,110, while out-of-state students pay about $25,630. Food Science Technology graduates carry a median of $22,337 in student loans. Food Science Technology graduates of Oklahoma State University Main Campus earn a median of $50,993 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.

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North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned the #16 position for value in food science technology this year. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Typical student debt for food science technology graduates is $21,000. Soon after graduation, food science technology degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $50,631. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

17

Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value food science technology schools. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,785, while out-of-state students pay about $17,725. Students borrow a median of $26,824 to complete the food science technology program here. Early-career food science technology graduates make about $38,719. Set against $26,824 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 21%.

18

University Of Wisconsin Stout landed the #18 spot for food science technology value this year. Set in the town of Menomonie, University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,701, while out-of-state students pay about $19,265. Typical student debt for food science technology graduates is $25,821. Soon after graduation, food science technology degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Stout generally make around $54,235. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

19

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #19 among the best values for food science technology. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,050 to complete the food science technology program here. Food Science Technology graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $49,303 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.

20

University Of Nebraska Lincoln landed the #20 spot for food science technology value this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,434, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Typical student debt for food science technology graduates is $22,386. Early-career food science technology graduates make about $49,755. Set against $22,386 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.

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21
University Of Arkansas crest
University Of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR

University Of Arkansas placed #21 among the best values for food science technology. University Of Arkansas is a very large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $29,966. Food Science Technology graduates carry a median of $17,750 in student loans. Early-career food science technology graduates make about $53,205. That is a strong return on a $17,750 median debt. University Of Arkansas admits about 74% of applicants.

22

Kansas State University landed the #22 spot for food science technology value this year. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,221, compared with $28,568 for out-of-state students. Food Science Technology graduates carry a median of $24,844 in student loans. Early-career food science technology graduates make about $62,479. That is a strong return on a $24,844 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.

23

Ohio State University Main Campus placed #23 among the best values for food science technology. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Typical student debt for food science technology graduates is $20,534. Food Science Technology graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $59,889 early in their careers. Set against $20,534 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.

24

The University Of Tennessee ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value food science technology schools. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Typical student debt for food science technology graduates is $20,632. Soon after graduation, food science technology degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $48,441. Set against $20,632 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.

25

Iowa State University came in at #25 for value in food science technology this year. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for food science technology graduates is $26,254. Soon after graduation, food science technology degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $60,351. That is a strong return on a $26,254 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

Rest of the Top 35 Best Value Food Science Technology Schools

Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in food science technology:

26
27
28
29
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
30
Clemson University crest
Clemson University
Clemson, SC
31
32
33
34
35

Other Food Science Technology Degree Levels

Explore the best-value food science technology schools at other degree levels:

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

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 161 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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