2026 Best Value Food Science Technology Schools in the Southeast Region
[Food Science Technology](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/food-science-technology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
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 Southeast 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 Florida, our #1 best value for food science technology in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Food Science Technology graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans. Early-career food science technology graduates make about $58,388. That is a strong return on a $17,669 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Chattahoochee Technical College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value food science technology schools. Set in the suburb of Marietta, Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,540, while out-of-state students pay about $6,108. Typical student debt for food science technology graduates is $9,616. Soon after graduation, food science technology degree recipients from Chattahoochee Technical College generally make around $44,673. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Surry Community College one of the best values for food science technology. Surry Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Dobson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,668, compared with $8,812 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,537 to complete the food science technology program here. Food Science Technology graduates of Surry Community College earn a median of $47,188 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,537 median debt.
University Of Georgia is a great value for students pursuing a degree in food science technology, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Typical student debt for food science technology graduates is $21,792. Soon after graduation, food science technology degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $82,065. Set against $21,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.
A rank of #5 makes Mississippi State University one of the best values for food science technology. Set in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,202, compared with $27,637 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for food science technology graduates is $24,475. Early-career food science technology graduates make about $47,383. Set against $24,475 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mississippi State University admits about 78% of applicants.
Alabama A And M University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value food science technology schools. Alabama A And M University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Normal. In-state tuition and fees average $10,024, while out-of-state students pay about $18,634. Typical student debt for food science technology graduates is $31,896. Early-career food science technology graduates make about $45,909. Set against $31,896 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Alabama A And M University admits about 58% of applicants.
Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University earned the #7 position for value in food science technology this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,785, compared with $17,725 for out-of-state students. Food Science Technology graduates carry a median of $26,824 in student loans. Soon after graduation, food science technology degree recipients from Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University generally make around $38,719. Set against $26,824 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University admits about 21% of applicants.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #8 for value in food science technology this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Food Science Technology graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. 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. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of Kentucky ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value food science technology schools. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,502, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete the food science technology program here. Early-career food science technology graduates make about $49,123. Set against $21,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of Arkansas placed #10 among the best values for food science technology. Located in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, compared with $29,966 for out-of-state students. Food Science Technology graduates carry a median of $17,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, food science technology degree recipients from University Of Arkansas generally make around $53,205. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
The University Of Tennessee earned the #11 position for value in food science technology this year. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Students borrow a median of $20,632 to complete the food science technology program here. 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. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Clemson University landed the #12 spot for food science technology value this year. Located in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,554, compared with $40,866 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for food science technology graduates is $25,000. Early-career food science technology graduates make about $39,600. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #13 for value in food science technology this year. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,948 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. Students borrow a median of $26,875 to complete the food science technology program here. Early-career food science technology graduates make about $56,274. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University admits about 55% of applicants.
Auburn University came in at #14 for value in food science technology this year. Auburn University is a very large public school located in the city of Auburn. Students from in state pay about $12,890 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,922 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for food science technology graduates is $22,803. Early-career food science technology graduates make about $55,422. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.
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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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
