by our College Data Analytics Team
[Food Science Technology](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/food-science-technology/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
College Factual analyzed 8 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying food science technology schools.
What’s on this page:
Where you study food science technology affects what graduates go on to earn. That is why we developed our Highest Paid Food Science Technology Graduates ranking. We rank each school on the early-career earnings of its food science technology graduates to surface the highest-paying programs.
Learn more about our methodology
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Highest Paid Food Science Technology Graduates list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
Below are the schools whose food science technology graduates go on to earn the most.
Michigan State University earned the #1 spot for highest-paid food science technology graduates in the United States. Michigan State University is a public school located in the city of East Lansing. Food Science Technology graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of about $107,428 a year early in their careers.
Kansas State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying food science technology schools. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a public institution. Food Science Technology graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of about $107,229 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in food science technology will find them at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. After graduating, food science technology degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign typically earn about $89,713 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in food science technology will find them at University Of California Davis, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a public institution. Early-career food science technology graduates from University Of California Davis make a median of around $86,959 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in food science technology will find them at University Of Georgia, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a public institution. Early-career food science technology graduates from University Of Georgia make a median of around $82,065 per year.
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University Of Florida ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying food science technology schools. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a public institution. After graduating, food science technology degree recipients from University Of Florida typically earn about $77,336 annually.
Iowa State University came in at #7 for food science technology graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a public institution. Food Science Technology graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of about $60,183 a year early in their careers.
University Of Maine earned the #8 position for food science technology graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a public institution. Early-career food science technology graduates from University Of Maine make a median of around $50,941 per year.
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries food science technology graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 8 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.