by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Food & Nutrition involves the study of Foods, Nutrition, And Wellness Studies, General. A General Program That Focuses On The Role Of Foods And Nutrition In Human Health And Wellness. Includes Instruction In Nutritional Care And Education, The Planning And Provision Of Food Services, The Development Of Consumable Food Products, Life-Span Nutrition And Wellness, The Principles Of Nutritional Assessment, And Food Safety And Food Composition. Read on to learn the essential details every food & nutrition student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering food & nutrition programs.
Nationwide, food & nutrition draws strong interest, with 2,264 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Food & Nutrition Schools ranking analyzes these 149 schools to determine the best overall colleges for food & nutrition students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of food & nutrition programs later in this article.
Studies in Food & Nutrition build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations food & nutrition graduates commonly enter.
The skill set emphasized by a food & nutrition program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a food & nutrition major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several food & nutrition degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 7 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 292 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 1,164 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 761 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 11 |
People currently working in careers related to food & nutrition tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 35.7% |
| Master’s degree | 30.3% |
| Doctoral degree | 12.3% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 8.0% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 6.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.5% |
| Some college courses | 1.9% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 1.1% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.9% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.2% |
| First professional degree | 0.1% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in food & nutrition careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in food & nutrition prepares you for many career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to food & nutrition.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to food & nutrition.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | 3,155,854 | 1.4% |
| Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,267,153 | 0.4% |
| Dietetic Technicians | 587,747 | 5.0% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of food & nutrition graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $35,066 |
| 4 years | $41,526 |
| 5 years | $47,346 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for food & nutrition graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers food & nutrition grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Dietetic Technicians | $137,981 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $125,305 |
| Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $99,604 |
With 149 different food & nutrition programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased food & nutrition school rankings to help you.
Those considering food & nutrition, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Human Nutrition | 1,095 |
| Foodservice Systems Administration/Management | 373 |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services, Other | 135 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
