by our College Data Analytics Team
[Human Nutrition](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/food-nutrition-services/human-nutrition/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong human nutrition education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 67 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value human nutrition schools.
What’s on this page:
The human nutrition program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we built our Best Value Human Nutrition Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Read more about our methodology
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Human Nutrition Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in human nutrition, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in human nutrition, no school beat Schenectady County Community College this year. Schenectady County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Schenectady. Students from in state pay about $6,190 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,974 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $40,902 ten years out.
Students looking for strong value in human nutrition will find it at Weber State University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,557, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Human Nutrition graduates carry a median of $19,176 in student loans. Early-career human nutrition graduates make about $28,714. Set against $19,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Rio Salado College earned it the #3 place for human nutrition. Rio Salado College is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,958. Typical student debt for human nutrition graduates is $13,679. Human Nutrition graduates of Rio Salado College earn a median of $48,564 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lamar University earned it the #4 place for human nutrition. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,905, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Students borrow a median of $21,482 to complete the human nutrition program here. Human Nutrition graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $52,678 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Utah University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in human nutrition, landing the #5 spot this year. Southern Utah University is a very large public school located in the town of Cedar City. Students from in state pay about $6,962 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,192. Students borrow a median of $15,050 to complete the human nutrition program here. Early-career human nutrition graduates make about $20,693. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston landed the #6 spot for human nutrition value this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Human Nutrition graduates carry a median of $19,700 in student loans. Early-career human nutrition graduates make about $27,648. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arizona placed #7 among the best values for human nutrition. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Students borrow a median of $21,861 to complete the human nutrition program here. Soon after graduation, human nutrition degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $50,834. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
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Central Michigan University earned the #8 position for value in human nutrition this year. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,480. Students borrow a median of $27,857 to complete the human nutrition program here. Human Nutrition graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of $63,726 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,857 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Texas State University San Marcos earned the #9 position for value in human nutrition this year. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human nutrition graduates is $23,354. Early-career human nutrition graduates make about $36,601. Set against $23,354 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas State University San Marcos admits about 89% of applicants.
South Dakota State University earned the #10 position for value in human nutrition this year. Located in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,299, while out-of-state students pay about $12,809. Students borrow a median of $24,989 to complete the human nutrition program here. Soon after graduation, human nutrition degree recipients from South Dakota State University generally make around $51,260. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. South Dakota State University admits about 98% of applicants.
Winthrop University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value human nutrition schools. Set in the city of Rock Hill, Winthrop University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,678, compared with $28,676 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human nutrition graduates is $27,000. Human Nutrition graduates of Winthrop University earn a median of $39,378 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Winthrop University admits about 79% of applicants.
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #12 for value in human nutrition this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Human Nutrition graduates carry a median of $26,654 in student loans. Early-career human nutrition graduates make about $34,540. That is a strong return on a $26,654 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value human nutrition schools. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Indiana. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,380, with out-of-state students paying around $16,297. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the human nutrition program here. Soon after graduation, human nutrition degree recipients from Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus generally make around $42,972. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Meredith College landed the #14 spot for human nutrition value this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, Meredith College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $45,630. Typical student debt for human nutrition graduates is $26,618. Early-career human nutrition graduates make about $22,422. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Meredith College admits about 74% of applicants.
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Johnson And Wales University Online ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value human nutrition schools. Set in the city of Providence, Johnson And Wales University Online is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $13,365 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the human nutrition program here. Human Nutrition graduates of Johnson And Wales University Online earn a median of $32,586 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Grand Canyon University came in at #16 for value in human nutrition this year. Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,508. Typical student debt for human nutrition graduates is $30,027. Human Nutrition graduates of Grand Canyon University earn a median of $56,285 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania placed #17 among the best values for human nutrition. Set in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,775, with out-of-state students paying around $22,599. Median earnings reach $61,258 ten years out. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania admits about 78% of applicants.
The University Of Alabama landed the #18 spot for human nutrition value this year. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,180 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,172 for out-of-state students. Human Nutrition graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Human Nutrition graduates of The University Of Alabama earn a median of $48,139 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Cedar Crest College came in at #19 for value in human nutrition this year. Cedar Crest College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Allentown. In-state tuition and fees average $46,314. Students borrow a median of $30,759 to complete the human nutrition program here. Soon after graduation, human nutrition degree recipients from Cedar Crest College generally make around $62,345. Set against $30,759 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Simmons College landed the #20 spot for human nutrition value this year. Simmons College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,874. Typical student debt for human nutrition graduates is $26,740. Early-career human nutrition graduates make about $64,455. Set against $26,740 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Bridgeport ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value human nutrition schools. Set in the city of Bridgeport, University Of Bridgeport is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $35,760 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for human nutrition graduates is $28,601. Human Nutrition graduates of University Of Bridgeport earn a median of $54,775 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,601 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
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Nova Southeastern University came in at #22 for value in human nutrition this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Lauderdale, Nova Southeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,700. Students borrow a median of $25,021 to complete the human nutrition program here. Human Nutrition graduates of Nova Southeastern University earn a median of $70,595 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,021 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
University Of New England ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value human nutrition schools. University Of New England is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Biddeford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,210. Human Nutrition graduates carry a median of $26,838 in student loans. Human Nutrition graduates of University Of New England earn a median of $53,306 early in their careers. Set against $26,838 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of New England admits about 92% of applicants.
Case Western Reserve University came in at #24 for value in human nutrition this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,608. Students borrow a median of $25,106 to complete the human nutrition program here. Soon after graduation, human nutrition degree recipients from Case Western Reserve University generally make around $51,764. Set against $25,106 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
Syracuse University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value human nutrition schools. Located in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,528. Human Nutrition graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Human Nutrition graduates of Syracuse University earn a median of $44,219 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
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These schools rounded out the top of this year’s human nutrition value ranking:
Human Nutrition is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. Browse the parent area of study.
This list is compiled 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 · 67 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.