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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Food & Nutrition Schools in the Southwest Region

8 Colleges in the United States
451 Food & Nutrition Degrees Awarded
$40,668 Avg Early-Career Salary

Food & Nutrition degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 16 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for food & nutrition students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Food & Nutrition in the Southwest Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall food & nutrition education in the Southwest Region.

Top Schools in Food & Nutrition

1

No school ranked higher than Oklahoma State University Main Campus this year for food & nutrition. Located in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Oklahoma State University Main Campus awarded about 83 food & nutrition degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, food & nutrition degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Main Campus generally make around $25,076. Typical student debt for the program is $19,584. Get the full food & nutrition details for Oklahoma State University Main Campus

2

A rank of #2 makes Texas Womans University one of the top schools for food & nutrition. Set in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public institution. Texas Womans University graduates 49% of students within six years. Texas Womans University awarded about 53 food & nutrition degrees in the most recent data year. Food & Nutrition graduates of Texas Womans University earn a median of $46,399 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,104 to complete this degree. Read more about the food & nutrition program at Texas Womans University

3

Students looking for a strong food & nutrition program will find one at Texas State University San Marcos, which ranked #3. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. About 43 food & nutrition degrees were awarded at Texas State University San Marcos in the most recent year. Food & Nutrition graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $36,601 early in their careers. Texas State University San Marcos graduates carry a median of $23,354 in student loans. Get the full food & nutrition details for Texas State University San Marcos

4

Arizona State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in food & nutrition, ranking #4. This very large public university is located in the city of Tempe. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 11 food & nutrition degrees were awarded at Arizona State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the food & nutrition program make about $44,004 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the food & nutrition program at Arizona State University

5

Central New Mexico Community College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in food & nutrition, landing the #5 spot this year. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Central New Mexico Community College awarded about 11 food & nutrition degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their food & nutrition degree from Central New Mexico Community College earn around $34,751 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete this degree. See the full food & nutrition program report for Central New Mexico Community College

6

Arizona State University Skysong earned the #6 position for food & nutrition this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Scottsdale. There were roughly 80 food & nutrition students who graduated with this degree at Arizona State University Skysong in the most recent data year. Food & Nutrition graduates of Arizona State University Skysong earn a median of $44,004 early in their careers. Arizona State University Skysong graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in food & nutrition from Arizona State University Skysong

7

University Of New Mexico Main Campus placed #7 among the best food & nutrition schools. University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of New Mexico Main Campus awarded about 23 food & nutrition degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the food & nutrition program make about $27,978 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete this degree. See the full food & nutrition program report for University Of New Mexico Main Campus

8

Sam Houston State University came in at #8 for food & nutrition this year. Sam Houston State University is a very large public school located in the town of Huntsville. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. Sam Houston State University awarded about 15 food & nutrition degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their food & nutrition degree from Sam Houston State University earn around $46,365 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,850. Get the full food & nutrition details for Sam Houston State University

9

Central Arizona College earned the #9 position for food & nutrition this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the rural area of Coolidge. There were roughly 34 food & nutrition students who graduated with this degree at Central Arizona College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the food & nutrition program make about $48,826 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $11,635 to complete this degree. See the full food & nutrition program report for Central Arizona College

10
Lamar University crest
Lamar University
Beaumont, TX

Lamar University landed the #10 spot for food & nutrition this year. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. Roughly 37% of students complete a degree within six years here. Lamar University awarded about 98 food & nutrition degrees in the most recent data year. Food & Nutrition graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $52,678 early in their careers. Lamar University graduates carry a median of $21,482 in student loans. Read more about the food & nutrition program at Lamar University

Narrow Food & Nutrition Schools by State

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 16 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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