Food Science Technology is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 161 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for food science technology students pursuing a degree.
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Choosing a Great Food Science Technology School
The food science technology program you select can have a big impact on your future. To help, we created our Best Food Science Technology Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Food Science Technology School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
We offer several rankings, including this Best Food Science Technology Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this 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.
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Best Schools for Food Science Technology in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the food science technology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Cornell University tops our 2026 ranking of the best food science technology schools. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 74 food science technology students who graduated with this degree at Cornell University in the most recent data year. Food Science Technology graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $64,062 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,750.
Read more about the food science technology program at Cornell University
A rank of #2 makes Saint Louis University Main Campus one of the top schools for food science technology. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Saint Louis. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 18 food science technology degrees were awarded at Saint Louis University Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their food science technology degree from Saint Louis University Main Campus earn around $65,599 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,586 to complete this degree.
Read more about the food science technology program at Saint Louis University Main Campus
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best food science technology schools. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 44 food science technology degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent year.
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Students looking for a strong food science technology program will find one at University Of Wisconsin Madison, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. About 90% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 40 food science technology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent data year. Food Science Technology graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $59,877 early in their careers. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans.
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Purdue University Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in food science technology, landing the #5 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of West Lafayette. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. Purdue University Main Campus awarded about 36 food science technology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their food science technology degree from Purdue University Main Campus earn around $63,111 in the first couple years of their career. Purdue University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $19,844 in student loans.
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Sacred Heart University earned the #6 position for food science technology this year. Located in the suburb of Fairfield, Sacred Heart University is a large private not-for-profit university. Sacred Heart University graduates 74% of students within six years. There were roughly 12 food science technology students who graduated with this degree at Sacred Heart University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their food science technology degree from Sacred Heart University earn around $62,864 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,831.
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Chapman University earned the #7 position for food science technology this year. Located in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 82% of students finish within six years. Chapman University awarded about 16 food science technology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their food science technology degree from Chapman University earn around $50,947 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,657.
More information about a degree in food science technology from Chapman University
Illinois Institute Of Technology came in at #8 for food science technology this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. About 35 food science technology degrees were awarded at Illinois Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Graduates of the food science technology program make about $71,315 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,774.
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California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #9 for food science technology this year. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 109 food science technology students who graduated with this degree at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent data year. Students who receive their food science technology degree from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn around $52,240 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,654.
See the full food science technology program report for California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
Texas Tech University came in at #10 for food science technology this year. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. About 69% of students finish within six years. Texas Tech University awarded about 15 food science technology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their food science technology degree from Texas Tech University earn around $50,332 in the first couple years of their career. Texas Tech University graduates carry a median of $24,271 in student loans.
More information about a degree in food science technology from Texas Tech University
University Of California Davis earned the #11 position for food science technology this year. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. University Of California Davis graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 83 food science technology students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Davis in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, food science technology degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $52,084. Typical student debt for the program is $14,750.
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University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #12 for food science technology this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 31 food science technology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent data year. Students who receive their food science technology degree from University Of Missouri Columbia earn around $53,134 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,818.
See the full food science technology program report for University Of Missouri Columbia
University Of Massachusetts Amherst landed the #13 spot for food science technology this year. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. University Of Massachusetts Amherst graduates 83% of students within six years. University Of Massachusetts Amherst awarded about 41 food science technology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their food science technology degree from University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn around $59,547 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,234.
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University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #14 spot for food science technology this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Champaign. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 129 food science technology degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Students who receive their food science technology degree from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn around $65,432 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in food science technology from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #15 for food science technology this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. Ohio State University Main Campus awarded about 48 food science technology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the food science technology program make about $59,889 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,534.
More information about a degree in food science technology from Ohio State University Main Campus
University Of Georgia came in at #16 for food science technology this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Athens. About 90% of students finish within six years. About 35 food science technology degrees were awarded at University Of Georgia in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, food science technology degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $82,065. Typical student debt for the program is $21,792.
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Michigan State University earned the #17 position for food science technology this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. Michigan State University graduates 81% of students within six years. About 58 food science technology degrees were awarded at Michigan State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, food science technology degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $75,787. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
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University Of Florida ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best food science technology schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Gainesville. University Of Florida graduates 91% of students within six years. About 47 food science technology degrees were awarded at University Of Florida in the most recent year. Food Science Technology graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $58,388 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,669.
See the full food science technology program report for University Of Florida
California State Polytechnic University Pomona ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best food science technology schools. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public university. California State Polytechnic University Pomona graduates 68% of students within six years. California State Polytechnic University Pomona awarded about 30 food science technology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their food science technology degree from California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn around $51,883 in the first couple years of their career. California State Polytechnic University Pomona graduates carry a median of $17,498 in student loans.
See the full food science technology program report for California State Polytechnic University Pomona
University Of Wisconsin Stout ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best food science technology schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Menomonie. University Of Wisconsin Stout graduates 55% of students within six years. About 43 food science technology degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Stout in the most recent year. Food Science Technology graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stout earn a median of $54,235 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,821.
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University Of Arkansas placed #21 among the best food science technology schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Fayetteville. University Of Arkansas graduates 70% of students within six years. There were roughly 39 food science technology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Arkansas in the most recent data year. Food Science Technology graduates of University Of Arkansas earn a median of $53,205 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,750.
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Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University placed #22 among the best food science technology schools. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 23 food science technology degrees were awarded at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, food science technology degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $56,274. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates carry a median of $26,875 in student loans.
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California State University Fresno landed the #23 spot for food science technology this year. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. California State University Fresno awarded about 46 food science technology degrees in the most recent data year. Food Science Technology graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $45,796 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,500.
Read more about the food science technology program at California State University Fresno
University Of Kentucky earned the #24 position for food science technology this year. Located in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. University Of Kentucky awarded about 66 food science technology degrees in the most recent data year. Food Science Technology graduates of University Of Kentucky earn a median of $49,123 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete this degree.
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University Of Nebraska Lincoln placed #25 among the best food science technology schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Lincoln. University Of Nebraska Lincoln graduates 67% of students within six years. University Of Nebraska Lincoln awarded about 65 food science technology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, food science technology degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $49,755. Typical student debt for the program is $22,386.
Read more about the food science technology program at University Of Nebraska Lincoln
Rest of the Top 50 Food Science Technology Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong food science technology education:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 161 schools evaluated.
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).