by our College Data Analytics Team
[Human Nutrition](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/food-nutrition-services/human-nutrition/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. 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:
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 Weber State University this year. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. In-state tuition and fees average $6,557, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Typical student debt for human nutrition graduates is $19,176. Soon after graduation, human nutrition degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $28,714. That is a strong return on a $19,176 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Southern Utah University one of the best values for human nutrition. Southern Utah University is a very large public school located in the town of Cedar City. In-state tuition and fees average $6,962, with out-of-state students paying around $21,192. Typical student debt for human nutrition graduates is $15,050. Human Nutrition graduates of Southern Utah University earn a median of $20,693 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,050 median debt. Southern Utah University admits about 82% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Lamar University one of the best values for human nutrition. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,905 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,745 for out-of-state students. Human Nutrition graduates carry a median of $21,482 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human nutrition degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $52,678. That is a strong return on a $21,482 median debt. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Houston came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value human nutrition schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Typical student debt for human nutrition graduates is $19,700. Soon after graduation, human nutrition degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $27,648. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Students looking for strong value in human nutrition will find it at Texas State University San Marcos, which ranked #5. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Students borrow a median of $23,354 to complete the human nutrition program here. Early-career human nutrition graduates make about $36,601. That is a strong return on a $23,354 median debt. Texas State University San Marcos admits about 89% of applicants.
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Ohio State University Main Campus placed #6 among the best values for human nutrition. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Students borrow a median of $26,654 to complete the human nutrition program here. Early-career human nutrition graduates make about $34,540. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Winthrop University came in at #7 for value in human nutrition this year. Winthrop University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rock Hill. Students from in state pay about $14,678 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,676. 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. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus placed #8 among the best values for human nutrition. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $16,297. Typical student debt for human nutrition graduates is $27,000. Early-career human nutrition graduates make about $42,972. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Johnson And Wales University Online earned the #9 position for value in human nutrition this year. Johnson And Wales University Online is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. 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. Soon after graduation, human nutrition degree recipients from Johnson And Wales University Online generally make around $32,586. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Johnson And Wales University Online admits about 91% of applicants.
Grand Canyon University landed the #10 spot for human nutrition value this year. Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Alabama landed the #11 spot for human nutrition value this year. The University Of Alabama is a very large public school located in the city of Tuscaloosa. In-state tuition and fees average $12,180, with out-of-state students paying around $34,172. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the human nutrition program here. Human Nutrition graduates of The University Of Alabama earn a median of $37,836 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Cedar Crest College came in at #12 for value in human nutrition this year. Set in the city of Allentown, Cedar Crest College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,314. Typical student debt for human nutrition graduates is $30,759. Human Nutrition graduates of Cedar Crest College earn a median of $62,345 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,759 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Nova Southeastern University came in at #13 for value in human nutrition this year. Nova Southeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Fort Lauderdale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,700. Typical student debt for human nutrition graduates is $25,021. Soon after graduation, human nutrition degree recipients from Nova Southeastern University generally make around $70,595. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Nova Southeastern University admits about 73% of applicants.
Case Western Reserve University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value human nutrition schools. Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,608. Human Nutrition graduates carry a median of $25,106 in student loans. Human Nutrition graduates of Case Western Reserve University earn a median of $51,764 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 36%.
Syracuse University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value human nutrition schools. Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Syracuse. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,528. Typical student debt for human nutrition graduates is $27,000. Early-career human nutrition graduates make about $31,598. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Baylor University came in at #16 for value in human nutrition this year. Set in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $58,100 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for human nutrition graduates is $26,757. Soon after graduation, human nutrition degree recipients from Baylor University generally make around $49,888. That is a strong return on a $26,757 median debt. Baylor University admits about 51% of applicants.
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Human Nutrition rankings across degree levels:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, 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 11 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.