2026 Best Value Food & Nutrition Schools in the Southwest Region
[Food & Nutrition](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/food-nutrition-services/food-nutrition-wellness/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 16 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for food & nutrition students.
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2026 Best Value Food & Nutrition Schools in the Southwest Region
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
Central New Mexico Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value food & nutrition schools in the Southwest Region. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. In-state tuition and fees average $2,060, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Typical student debt for food & nutrition graduates is $10,112. Soon after graduation, food & nutrition degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $34,751. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.
Central Arizona College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in food & nutrition, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Coolidge, Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,250, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $11,635 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Texas Womans University one of 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. Food & Nutrition graduates of Texas Womans University earn a median of $46,399 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,104 median debt. Texas Womans University admits about 96% of applicants.
Arizona State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in food & nutrition, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Typical student debt for food & nutrition graduates is $25,000. 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. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in food & nutrition will find it at Lamar University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. That is a strong return on a $21,482 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arizona landed the #6 spot for food & nutrition value this year. 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. Early-career food & nutrition graduates make about $50,834. That is a strong return on a $21,861 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Sam Houston State University landed the #7 spot for food & nutrition value this year. Set in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,228, with out-of-state students paying around $19,068. Typical student debt for food & nutrition graduates is $24,850. Soon after graduation, food & nutrition degree recipients from Sam Houston State University generally make around $46,365. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus landed the #8 spot for food & nutrition value this year. Located in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,110, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for food & nutrition graduates is $19,584. Soon after graduation, food & nutrition degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Main Campus generally make around $25,076. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Texas State University San Marcos came in at #9 for value in food & nutrition this year. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,354 to complete the food & nutrition program here. Soon after graduation, food & nutrition degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $36,601. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus landed the #10 spot for food & nutrition value this year. University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Students from in state pay about $10,140 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,060. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the food & nutrition program here. Food & Nutrition graduates of University Of New Mexico Main Campus earn a median of $27,978 early in their careers. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of New Mexico Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
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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 · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
