[Food, Nutrition & Related Services](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/food-nutrition-services/) 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 36 schools to find the best return on investment for food, nutrition & related services students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the food, nutrition & related services degrees they offer, see the list below.
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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Typical student debt for food, nutrition & related services graduates is $11,091. Early-career food, nutrition & related services graduates make about $39,756. Set against $11,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Schenectady County Community College earned it the #2 place for food, nutrition & related services. Located in the city of Schenectady, Schenectady County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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.
Morgan State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value food, nutrition & related services schools. Set in the city of Baltimore, Morgan State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,229 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,124 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for food, nutrition & related services graduates is $34,537. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates of Morgan State University earn a median of $49,736 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $34,537 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in food, nutrition & related services will find it at Anne Arundel Community College, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Arnold, Anne Arundel Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,322 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,522 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,947 to complete the food, nutrition & related services program here. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates of Anne Arundel Community College earn a median of $59,894 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,947 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes College Of Saint Elizabeth one of the best values for food, nutrition & related services. Located in the suburb of Morristown, College Of Saint Elizabeth is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,740. Students borrow a median of $25,496 to complete the food, nutrition & related services program here. Soon after graduation, food, nutrition & related services degree recipients from College Of Saint Elizabeth generally make around $58,330. Set against $25,496 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. College Of Saint Elizabeth admits about 71% of applicants.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value food, nutrition & related services schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $16,297. Typical student debt for food, nutrition & related services graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, food, nutrition & related services degree recipients from Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus generally make around $41,319. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania came in at #7 for value in food, nutrition & related services this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $22,599. Graduates go on to earn a median of $61,258 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Cedar Crest College came in at #8 for value in food, nutrition & related services this year. Set in the city of Allentown, Cedar Crest College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $46,314. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates carry a median of $30,759 in student loans. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates of Cedar Crest College earn a median of $62,345 early in their careers. Set against $30,759 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
New York University came in at #9 for value in food, nutrition & related services this year. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,796. Students borrow a median of $21,897 to complete the food, nutrition & related services program here. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates of New York University earn a median of $51,020 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,897 median debt. New York University admits about 9% of applicants.
Syracuse University earned the #10 position for value in food, nutrition & related services this year. Set in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,528 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the food, nutrition & related services program here. Soon after graduation, food, nutrition & related services degree recipients from Syracuse University generally make around $44,219. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.
American University earned the #11 position for value in food, nutrition & related services this year. American University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Students from in state pay about $58,771 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,139 to complete the food, nutrition & related services program here. Soon after graduation, food, nutrition & related services degree recipients from American University generally make around $48,321. That is a strong return on a $24,139 median debt. The acceptance rate is 62%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 36 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
