2026 Best Value Food Science Technology Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Food Science Technology](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/food-science-technology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 21 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for food science technology students.
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2026 Best Value Food Science Technology Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the food science technology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Food Science Technology Schools
Leading the list is University Of Maryland College Park, our #1 best value for food science technology in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Food Science Technology graduates carry a median of $24,730 in student loans. Food Science Technology graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $24,341 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.
Rutgers University New Brunswick is a great value for students pursuing a degree in food science technology, landing the #2 spot this year. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. Students from in state pay about $17,929 in tuition and fees, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the food science technology program here. Soon after graduation, food science technology degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $51,892. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Cornell University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value food science technology schools. Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,314. Students borrow a median of $15,750 to complete the food science technology program here. Food Science Technology graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $64,062 early in their careers. Set against $15,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in food science technology, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $20,644 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,790. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
- 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.
