2026 Best Value Food, Nutrition & Related Services Schools

1

Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

For return on investment in food, nutrition & related services, no school beat Cuny Hunter College this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates carry a median of $11,091 in student loans. Early-career food, nutrition & related services graduates make about $39,756. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 54%.

2

Central New Mexico Community College
Albuquerque, NM

Students looking for strong value in food, nutrition & related services will find it at Central New Mexico Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Early-career food, nutrition & related services graduates make about $34,751. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Mt San Antonio College
Walnut, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Mt San Antonio College earned it the #3 place for food, nutrition & related services. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the food, nutrition & related services program here. Soon after graduation, food, nutrition & related services degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Central Carolina Community College
Sanford, NC

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Carolina Community College earned it the #4 place for food, nutrition & related services. Located in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,711, while out-of-state students pay about $8,855. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates carry a median of $10,266 in student loans. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates of Central Carolina Community College earn a median of $38,198 early in their careers. Set against $10,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

Central Arizona College
Coolidge, AZ

Central Arizona College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value food, nutrition & related services schools. Located in the rural area of Coolidge, Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,250 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,500 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,635 to complete the food, nutrition & related services program here. Early-career food, nutrition & related services graduates make about $48,826. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

6

Schenectady County Community College
Schenectady, NY

Schenectady County Community College earned the #6 position for value in food, nutrition & related services this year. Schenectady County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Schenectady. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,190, with out-of-state students paying around $8,974. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,902 ten years after entry.

7

Long Beach City College
Long Beach, CA

Long Beach City College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value food, nutrition & related services schools. Set in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,556, with out-of-state students paying around $12,544. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the food, nutrition & related services program here. Median earnings reach $38,870 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.

8

Allan Hancock College
Santa Maria, CA

Allan Hancock College earned the #8 position for value in food, nutrition & related services this year. Set in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, compared with $9,892 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,786 ten years out.

9

College Of The Albemarle
Elizabeth City, NC

College Of The Albemarle earned the #9 position for value in food, nutrition & related services this year. College Of The Albemarle is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Elizabeth City. Students from in state pay about $2,242 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,652. Students borrow a median of $10,240 to complete the food, nutrition & related services program here. Soon after graduation, food, nutrition & related services degree recipients from College Of The Albemarle generally make around $50,506. Set against $10,240 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN

Ivy Tech Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value food, nutrition & related services schools. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,154, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for food, nutrition & related services graduates is $11,889. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $40,734 early in their careers. Set against $11,889 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

11

Halifax Community College
Weldon, NC

Halifax Community College landed the #11 spot for food, nutrition & related services value this year. Located in the rural area of Weldon, Halifax Community College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,608, with out-of-state students paying around $8,752. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates of Halifax Community College earn a median of $70,982 early in their careers.

12

Texas Womans University
Denton, TX

Texas Womans University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value food, nutrition & related services schools. Texas Womans University is a large public school located in the city of Denton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,640, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates carry a median of $14,104 in student loans. Food, Nutrition & Related Services 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. The acceptance rate is 96%.

13

Rio Salado College
Tempe, AZ

Rio Salado College placed #13 among the best values for food, nutrition & related services. Located in the city of Tempe, Rio Salado College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,958. Typical student debt for food, nutrition & related services graduates is $13,679. Soon after graduation, food, nutrition & related services degree recipients from Rio Salado College generally make around $48,564. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

East Los Angeles College
Monterey Park, CA

East Los Angeles College placed #14 among the best values for food, nutrition & related services. East Los Angeles College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Monterey Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,238, compared with $10,572 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for food, nutrition & related services graduates is $8,180. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates of East Los Angeles College earn a median of $33,595 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

15

Community College Of Denver
Denver, CO

Community College Of Denver came in at #15 for value in food, nutrition & related services this year. Set in the city of Denver, Community College Of Denver is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,058, with out-of-state students paying around $17,658. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates carry a median of $18,830 in student loans. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates of Community College Of Denver earn a median of $45,202 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,830 median debt.

16

Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond, KY

Eastern Kentucky University came in at #16 for value in food, nutrition & related services this year. Set in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,320 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,230. Students borrow a median of $25,122 to complete the food, nutrition & related services program here. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates of Eastern Kentucky University earn a median of $43,891 early in their careers. Set against $25,122 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

17

Weber State University
Ogden, UT

Weber State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value food, nutrition & related services schools. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,557 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates carry a median of $19,176 in student loans. Early-career food, nutrition & related services graduates make about $28,714. That is a strong return on a $19,176 median debt.

18

University Of Mississippi Main Campus
University, MS

University Of Mississippi Main Campus ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value food, nutrition & related services schools. University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of University. Students from in state pay about $9,772 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,600. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates carry a median of $22,444 in student loans. Soon after graduation, food, nutrition & related services degree recipients from University Of Mississippi Main Campus generally make around $50,876. Set against $22,444 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

19

North Carolina A And T State University
Greensboro, NC

North Carolina A And T State University placed #19 among the best values for food, nutrition & related services. North Carolina A And T State University is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. In-state tuition and fees average $6,813, while out-of-state students pay about $20,673. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the food, nutrition & related services program here. Soon after graduation, food, nutrition & related services degree recipients from North Carolina A And T State University generally make around $50,715. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.

20

Southern Utah University
Cedar City, UT

Southern Utah University placed #20 among the best values for food, nutrition & related services. Set in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,962, while out-of-state students pay about $21,192. Typical student debt for food, nutrition & related services graduates is $15,050. Soon after graduation, food, nutrition & related services degree recipients from Southern Utah University generally make around $20,693. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

21

Portland State University
Portland, OR

Portland State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value food, nutrition & related services schools. Portland State University is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,118, compared with $29,136 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for food, nutrition & related services graduates is $26,475. Early-career food, nutrition & related services graduates make about $47,717. That is a strong return on a $26,475 median debt. Portland State University admits about 91% of applicants.

22

Lamar University
Beaumont, TX

Lamar University earned the #22 position for value in food, nutrition & related services this year. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,905, with out-of-state students paying around $18,745. Typical student debt for food, nutrition & related services graduates is $21,482. Soon after graduation, food, nutrition & related services degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $52,678. Set against $21,482 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.

23

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #23 position for value in food, nutrition & related services this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates carry a median of $15,117 in student loans. Early-career food, nutrition & related services graduates make about $23,633. That is a strong return on a $15,117 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.

24

Lincoln University Missouri
Jefferson City, MO

Lincoln University Missouri earned the #24 position for value in food, nutrition & related services this year. Located in the city of Jefferson City, Lincoln University Missouri is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,796, compared with $17,692 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $32,831 to complete the food, nutrition & related services program here. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates of Lincoln University Missouri earn a median of $37,449 early in their careers. Set against $32,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

25

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University placed #25 among the best values for food, nutrition & related services. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for food, nutrition & related services graduates is $25,000. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $44,004 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.