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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 6 schools to find the best return on investment for human nutrition students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the human nutrition degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Schenectady County Community College the best value for a degree in human nutrition in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the city of Schenectady, Schenectady County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. 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.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in human nutrition, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,380, while out-of-state students pay about $16,297. Human Nutrition graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Human Nutrition graduates of Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earn a median of $42,972 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value human nutrition schools. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the suburb of West Chester. In-state tuition and fees average $10,775, compared with $22,599 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,258. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania admits about 78% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in human nutrition will find it at Cedar Crest College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Allentown, Cedar Crest College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,314. Typical student debt for human nutrition graduates is $30,759. Soon after graduation, human nutrition degree recipients from Cedar Crest College generally make around $62,345. That is a strong return on a $30,759 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Students looking for strong value in human nutrition will find it at Syracuse University, which ranked #5. 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. Human Nutrition graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career human nutrition graduates make about $44,219. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
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This ranking is produced 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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.