2026 Best Value Food Science Technology Schools in the The Plains States 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.
College Factual analyzed 18 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value food science technology schools.
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2026 Best Value Food Science Technology Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in food science technology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Food Science Technology Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Minnesota Twin Cities the best value for a degree in food science technology in the The Plains States Region. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Food Science Technology graduates carry a median of $21,050 in student loans. Food Science Technology graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $49,303 early in their careers. Set against $21,050 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Nebraska Lincoln one of the best values for food science technology. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,434, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Food Science Technology graduates carry a median of $22,386 in student loans. Soon after graduation, food science technology degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $49,755. That is a strong return on a $22,386 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Kansas State University earned it the #3 place for food science technology. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,221, compared with $28,568 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,844 to complete the food science technology program here. Food Science Technology graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $76,437 early in their careers. Set against $24,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Students looking for strong value in food science technology will find it at Iowa State University, which ranked #4. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Food Science Technology graduates carry a median of $26,254 in student loans. Soon after graduation, food science technology degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $60,267. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in food science technology will find it at University Of Missouri Columbia, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,837, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. Food Science Technology graduates carry a median of $21,818 in student loans. Food Science Technology graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $53,134 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,818 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Saint Louis University Main Campus placed #6 among the best values for food science technology. Set in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $55,760. Students borrow a median of $26,586 to complete the food science technology program here. Food Science Technology graduates of Saint Louis University Main Campus earn a median of $65,599 early in their careers. Set against $26,586 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
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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 · 18 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.