[Food, Nutrition & Related Services](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/food-nutrition-services/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 40 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for food, nutrition & related services students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the food, nutrition & related services degrees they offer, see the list below.
Central Carolina Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value food, nutrition & related services schools in the Southeast Region. Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Sanford. Students from in state pay about $2,711 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,855 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for food, nutrition & related services graduates is $10,266. Soon after graduation, food, nutrition & related services degree recipients from Central Carolina Community College generally make around $38,198. Set against $10,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of The Albemarle earned it the #2 place for food, nutrition & related services. Located in the town of Elizabeth City, College Of The Albemarle is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,242, while out-of-state students pay about $7,652. Students borrow a median of $10,240 to complete the food, nutrition & related services program here. Early-career food, nutrition & related services graduates make about $50,506. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in food, nutrition & related services, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of University. In-state tuition and fees average $9,772, compared with $28,600 for out-of-state students. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates carry a median of $22,444 in student loans. Early-career food, nutrition & related services graduates make about $50,876. That is a strong return on a $22,444 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Eastern Kentucky University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value food, nutrition & related services schools. Set in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,320, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Halifax Community College one of the best values for food, nutrition & related services. 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.
North Carolina A And T State University came in at #6 for value in food, nutrition & related services this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,813, with out-of-state students paying around $20,673. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the food, nutrition & related services program here. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates of North Carolina A And T State University earn a median of $50,715 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. North Carolina A And T State University admits about 50% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #7 spot for food, nutrition & related services value this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Typical student debt for food, nutrition & related services graduates is $15,117. Early-career food, nutrition & related services graduates make about $23,633. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
Middle Tennessee State University earned the #8 position for value in food, nutrition & related services this year. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,266, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. Typical student debt for food, nutrition & related services graduates is $25,853. Early-career food, nutrition & related services graduates make about $30,835. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Mississippi placed #9 among the best values for food, nutrition & related services. Set in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,998, while out-of-state students pay about $11,998. Students borrow a median of $25,415 to complete the food, nutrition & related services program here. Soon after graduation, food, nutrition & related services degree recipients from University Of Southern Mississippi generally make around $52,338. That is a strong return on a $25,415 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
East Carolina University placed #10 among the best values for food, nutrition & related services. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,361, while out-of-state students pay about $23,638. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates carry a median of $24,747 in student loans. Soon after graduation, food, nutrition & related services degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $51,931. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Winthrop University earned the #11 position for value in food, nutrition & related services this year. Winthrop University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rock Hill. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,678, while out-of-state students pay about $28,676. 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 Winthrop University generally make around $39,378. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Winthrop University admits about 79% of applicants.
University Of Central Arkansas placed #12 among the best values for food, nutrition & related services. University Of Central Arkansas is a large public school located in the city of Conway. Students from in state pay about $10,523 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,023. Students borrow a median of $22,906 to complete the food, nutrition & related services program here. Soon after graduation, food, nutrition & related services degree recipients from University Of Central Arkansas generally make around $43,187. Set against $22,906 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Arkansas admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Arkansas ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value food, nutrition & related services schools. University Of Arkansas is a very large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $29,966. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates carry a median of $24,400 in student loans. Soon after graduation, food, nutrition & related services degree recipients from University Of Arkansas generally make around $31,986. That is a strong return on a $24,400 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
James Madison University came in at #14 for value in food, nutrition & related services this year. James Madison University is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,966, while out-of-state students pay about $31,312. Typical student debt for food, nutrition & related services graduates is $19,000. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $24,860 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Meredith College landed the #15 spot for food, nutrition & related services value this year. Meredith College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Raleigh. In-state tuition and fees average $45,630. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates carry a median of $26,618 in student loans. Soon after graduation, food, nutrition & related services degree recipients from Meredith College generally make around $22,422. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Meredith College admits about 74% of applicants.
The University Of Alabama placed #16 among the best values for food, nutrition & related services. Set in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,180, compared with $34,172 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for food, nutrition & related services graduates is $27,000. Food, Nutrition & Related Services 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. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University landed the #17 spot for food, nutrition & related services value this year. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career food, nutrition & related services graduates make about $25,414. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Lipscomb University came in at #18 for value in food, nutrition & related services this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,572. Typical student debt for food, nutrition & related services graduates is $23,529. Soon after graduation, food, nutrition & related services degree recipients from Lipscomb University generally make around $48,949. That is a strong return on a $23,529 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Johnson And Wales University Charlotte ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value food, nutrition & related services schools. Set in the city of Charlotte, Johnson And Wales University Charlotte is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,982. 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 Johnson And Wales University Charlotte generally make around $32,586. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Johnson And Wales University Charlotte admits about 80% of applicants.
Samford University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value food, nutrition & related services schools. Located in the suburb of Birmingham, Samford University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $40,150 in tuition and fees. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates carry a median of $21,039 in student loans. Early-career food, nutrition & related services graduates make about $64,132. That is a strong return on a $21,039 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Nova Southeastern University landed the #21 spot for food, nutrition & related services value this year. Nova Southeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Fort Lauderdale. Students from in state pay about $38,700 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for food, nutrition & related services graduates is $25,021. Early-career food, nutrition & related services graduates make about $70,595. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Narrow Food, Nutrition & Related Services Schools by State
More Food, Nutrition & Related Services Rankings
View All Food, Nutrition & Related Services Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 40 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.
