2026 Best Value Food & Nutrition Schools
[Food & Nutrition](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/food-nutrition-services/food-nutrition-wellness/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 185 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for food & nutrition students.
What’s on this page:
Finding the Best Value Food & Nutrition School for You
The right food & nutrition school can pay off for years to come. To help, we created our Best Value Food & Nutrition Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Learn more about our methodology
One Size Does Not Fit All
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Food & Nutrition Schools list, to help you choose. 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.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
2026 Best Value Food & Nutrition Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the food & nutrition degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Food & Nutrition Schools
For return on investment in food & nutrition, no school beat Cuny Hunter College this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete the food & nutrition program here. Soon after graduation, food & nutrition degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $39,756. Set against $11,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Students looking for strong value in food & nutrition will find it at Central New Mexico Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Food & Nutrition graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Food & Nutrition graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $34,751 early in their careers. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mt San Antonio College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value food & nutrition schools. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for food & nutrition graduates is $9,384. Early-career food & nutrition graduates make about $44,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Central Arizona College one of the best values for food & nutrition. Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Coolidge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,250, while out-of-state students pay about $4,500. Students borrow a median of $11,635 to complete the food & nutrition program here. Food & Nutrition graduates of Central Arizona College earn a median of $48,826 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,635 median debt.
Long Beach City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in food & nutrition, landing the #5 spot this year. Long Beach City College is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Students from in state pay about $1,556 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,544. Food & Nutrition graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Median earnings reach $38,870 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Allan Hancock College landed the #6 spot for food & nutrition value this year. Set in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,892. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,786 ten years after entry.
Ivy Tech Community College came in at #7 for value in food & nutrition this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,154, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Typical student debt for food & nutrition graduates is $11,889. Food & Nutrition graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $40,734 early in their careers. Set against $11,889 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas Womans University placed #8 among the best values for food & nutrition. Set in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,640, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Students borrow a median of $14,104 to complete the food & nutrition program here. Early-career food & nutrition graduates make about $46,399. Set against $14,104 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
East Los Angeles College came in at #9 for value in food & nutrition this year. Located in the suburb of Monterey Park, East Los Angeles College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,238, with out-of-state students paying around $10,572. Students borrow a median of $8,180 to complete the food & nutrition program here. Food & Nutrition graduates of East Los Angeles College earn a median of $33,595 early in their careers. Set against $8,180 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Community College Of Denver ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value food & nutrition schools. Community College Of Denver is a large public school located in the city of Denver. Students from in state pay about $5,058 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,658. Students borrow a median of $18,830 to complete the food & nutrition program here. Early-career food & nutrition graduates make about $45,202. That is a strong return on a $18,830 median debt.
Eastern Kentucky University earned the #11 position for value in food & nutrition this year. Located in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,320 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,230. Students borrow a median of $25,122 to complete the food & nutrition program here. Early-career food & nutrition graduates make about $43,891. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus earned the #12 position for value in food & nutrition this year. University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of University. Students from in state pay about $9,772 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,600. Food & Nutrition graduates carry a median of $22,444 in student loans. Soon after graduation, food & nutrition degree recipients from University Of Mississippi Main Campus generally make around $50,876. That is a strong return on a $22,444 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina A And T State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value food & nutrition schools. Set in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,813, compared with $20,673 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the food & nutrition program here. Early-career food & nutrition graduates make about $50,715. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Carolina A And T State University admits about 50% of applicants.
Lamar University placed #14 among the best values for food & nutrition. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,905, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Typical student debt for food & nutrition graduates is $21,482. Food & Nutrition graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $52,678 early in their careers. Set against $21,482 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #15 for value in food & nutrition this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Students borrow a median of $15,117 to complete the food & nutrition program here. Food & Nutrition graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $23,633 early in their careers. Set against $15,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
Lincoln University Missouri ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value food & nutrition schools. Set in the city of Jefferson City, Lincoln University Missouri is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,796, while out-of-state students pay about $17,692. Food & Nutrition graduates carry a median of $32,831 in student loans. Soon after graduation, food & nutrition degree recipients from Lincoln University Missouri generally make around $37,449. Set against $32,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arizona State University placed #17 among the best values for food & nutrition. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the food & nutrition program here. Soon after graduation, food & nutrition degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $44,004. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Middle Tennessee State University landed the #18 spot for food & nutrition value this year. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,266 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Typical student debt for food & nutrition graduates is $25,853. Food & Nutrition graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $30,835 early in their careers. Set against $25,853 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
University Of Southern Mississippi earned the #19 position for value in food & nutrition this year. Set in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,998, while out-of-state students pay about $11,998. Typical student debt for food & nutrition graduates is $25,415. Food & Nutrition graduates of University Of Southern Mississippi earn a median of $52,338 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,415 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
University Of Arizona ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value food & nutrition schools. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Food & Nutrition graduates carry a median of $21,861 in student loans. Soon after graduation, food & nutrition degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $50,834. Set against $21,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
Wayne State University came in at #21 for value in food & nutrition this year. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,750 to complete the food & nutrition program here. Food & Nutrition graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $34,303 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus came in at #22 for value in food & nutrition this year. Located in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,110 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,584 to complete the food & nutrition program here. Early-career food & nutrition graduates make about $25,076. That is a strong return on a $19,584 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
North Dakota State University Main Campus landed the #23 spot for food & nutrition value this year. Located in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,910, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,153 to complete the food & nutrition program here. Early-career food & nutrition graduates make about $60,498. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Morgan State University landed the #24 spot for food & nutrition value this year. Morgan State University is a large public school located in the city of Baltimore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,229, with out-of-state students paying around $19,124. Typical student debt for food & nutrition graduates is $34,537. Soon after graduation, food & nutrition degree recipients from Morgan State University generally make around $49,736. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
East Carolina University came in at #25 for value in food & nutrition this year. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,361, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. Food & Nutrition graduates carry a median of $24,747 in student loans. Early-career food & nutrition graduates make about $51,931. That is a strong return on a $24,747 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Food & Nutrition Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s food & nutrition value ranking:
Narrow Food & Nutrition Schools by Region
View All Rankings >
Food & Nutrition is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 185 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 30 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.
