[Food, Nutrition & Related Services](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/food-nutrition-services/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong food, nutrition & related services education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 8 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value food, nutrition & related services schools.
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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.
Central Carolina Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value food, nutrition & related services schools in North Carolina. Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Sanford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,711, compared with $8,855 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,266 to complete the food, nutrition & related services program here. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates of Central Carolina Community College earn a median of $38,198 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,266 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Halifax Community College earned it the #2 place for food, nutrition & related services. Located in the rural area of Weldon, Halifax Community College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,608, compared with $8,752 for out-of-state students. Soon after graduation, food, nutrition & related services degree recipients from Halifax Community College generally make around $70,982.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of The Albemarle earned it the #3 place for food, nutrition & related services. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $7,652. Typical student debt for food, nutrition & related services graduates is $10,240. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at North Carolina A And T State University earned it the #4 place for food, nutrition & related services. Located in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates of North Carolina A And T State University earn a median of $50,715 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Carolina A And T State University admits about 50% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill one of the best values for food, nutrition & related services. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. 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.
East Carolina University came in at #6 for value in food, nutrition & related services this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Typical student debt for food, nutrition & related services graduates is $24,747. Soon after graduation, food, nutrition & related services degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $51,931. Set against $24,747 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Meredith College came in at #7 for value in food, nutrition & related services this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, Meredith College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $45,630. Typical student debt for food, nutrition & related services graduates is $26,618. 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.
Johnson And Wales University Charlotte landed the #8 spot for food, nutrition & related services value this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, Johnson And Wales University Charlotte is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $41,982 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 Johnson And Wales University Charlotte generally make around $32,586. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 8 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.
