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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Food, Nutrition & Related Services Schools in the Southeast Region

14 Colleges in the United States
983 Food, Nutrition & Related Services Degrees Awarded
$43,598 Avg Early-Career Salary

Food, Nutrition & Related Services degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 40 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best food, nutrition & related services schools.

What’s on this page:

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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall food, nutrition & related services education in the Southeast Region.

1

No school ranked higher than Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University this year for food, nutrition & related services. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University awarded about 231 food, nutrition & related services degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the food, nutrition & related services program make about $25,414 in their early career. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Read more about the food, nutrition & related services program at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

2
Samford University crest
Samford University
Birmingham, AL

Samford University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in food, nutrition & related services, ranking #2. Located in the suburb of Birmingham, Samford University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 77% of students finish within six years. About 23 food, nutrition & related services degrees were awarded at Samford University in the most recent year. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates of Samford University earn a median of $64,132 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,039. More information about a degree in food, nutrition & related services from Samford University

3
Lipscomb University crest
Lipscomb University
Nashville, TN

Lipscomb University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in food, nutrition & related services, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Lipscomb University graduates 72% of students within six years. About 15 food, nutrition & related services degrees were awarded at Lipscomb University in the most recent year. Students who receive their food, nutrition & related services degree from Lipscomb University earn around $48,949 in the first couple years of their career. Lipscomb University graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. Read more about the food, nutrition & related services program at Lipscomb University

4

University Of Mississippi Main Campus came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best food, nutrition & related services schools. This very large public university is located in the town of University. About 72% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 14 food, nutrition & related services students who graduated with this degree at University Of Mississippi Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their food, nutrition & related services degree from University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn around $50,876 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,444. More information about a degree in food, nutrition & related services from University Of Mississippi Main Campus

5

East Carolina University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in food, nutrition & related services, landing the #5 spot this year. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. East Carolina University graduates 63% of students within six years. East Carolina University awarded about 14 food, nutrition & related services degrees in the most recent data year. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $51,931 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,747 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in food, nutrition & related services from East Carolina University

6
Nova Southeastern University crest
Nova Southeastern University
Fort Lauderdale, FL

Nova Southeastern University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best food, nutrition & related services schools. Located in the suburb of Fort Lauderdale, Nova Southeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. There were roughly 24 food, nutrition & related services students who graduated with this degree at Nova Southeastern University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, food, nutrition & related services degree recipients from Nova Southeastern University generally make around $70,595. Nova Southeastern University graduates carry a median of $25,021 in student loans. Get the full food, nutrition & related services details for Nova Southeastern University

7

The University Of Alabama placed #7 among the best food, nutrition & related services schools. The University Of Alabama is a very large public school located in the city of Tuscaloosa. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 227 food, nutrition & related services degrees were awarded at The University Of Alabama in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, food, nutrition & related services degree recipients from The University Of Alabama generally make around $48,139. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the food, nutrition & related services program at The University Of Alabama

8
James Madison University crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University came in at #8 for food, nutrition & related services this year. James Madison University is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. There were roughly 20 food, nutrition & related services students who graduated with this degree at James Madison University in the most recent data year. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $24,860 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,000. Get the full food, nutrition & related services details for James Madison University

9
University Of Arkansas crest
University Of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR

University Of Arkansas placed #9 among the best food, nutrition & related services schools. Set in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public institution. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 53 food, nutrition & related services students who graduated with this degree at University Of Arkansas in the most recent data year. Graduates of the food, nutrition & related services program make about $31,986 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,400. More information about a degree in food, nutrition & related services from University Of Arkansas

10

University Of Southern Mississippi earned the #10 position for food, nutrition & related services this year. This large public university is located in the city of Hattiesburg. University Of Southern Mississippi graduates 49% of students within six years. There were roughly 13 food, nutrition & related services students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern Mississippi in the most recent data year. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates of University Of Southern Mississippi earn a median of $52,338 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,415 to complete this degree. See the full food, nutrition & related services program report for University Of Southern Mississippi

11

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #11 position for food, nutrition & related services this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 62 food, nutrition & related services degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent year. Students who receive their food, nutrition & related services degree from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn around $23,633 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,117 to complete this degree. See the full food, nutrition & related services program report for University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

12

Johnson And Wales University Charlotte landed the #12 spot for food, nutrition & related services this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, Johnson And Wales University Charlotte is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 34%. There were roughly 50 food, nutrition & related services students who graduated with this degree at Johnson And Wales University Charlotte in the most recent data year. Students who receive their food, nutrition & related services degree from Johnson And Wales University Charlotte earn around $32,586 in the first couple years of their career. Johnson And Wales University Charlotte graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the food, nutrition & related services program at Johnson And Wales University Charlotte

13
Meredith College crest
Meredith College
Raleigh, NC

Meredith College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best food, nutrition & related services schools. Located in the city of Raleigh, Meredith College is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. About 30 food, nutrition & related services degrees were awarded at Meredith College in the most recent year. Food, Nutrition & Related Services graduates of Meredith College earn a median of $22,422 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,618. Get the full food, nutrition & related services details for Meredith College

14

University Of Central Arkansas landed the #14 spot for food, nutrition & related services this year. Located in the city of Conway, University Of Central Arkansas is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. There were roughly 31 food, nutrition & related services students who graduated with this degree at University Of Central Arkansas in the most recent data year. Graduates of the food, nutrition & related services program make about $43,187 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,906. Get the full food, nutrition & related services details for University Of Central Arkansas

15

North Carolina A And T State University came in at #15 for food, nutrition & related services this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public university. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. North Carolina A And T State University awarded about 18 food, nutrition & related services degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their food, nutrition & related services degree from North Carolina A And T State University earn around $50,715 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $31,000. More information about a degree in food, nutrition & related services from North Carolina A And T State University

16

Middle Tennessee State University came in at #16 for food, nutrition & related services this year. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. There were roughly 43 food, nutrition & related services students who graduated with this degree at Middle Tennessee State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, food, nutrition & related services degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $30,835. Students borrow a median of $25,853 to complete this degree. Get the full food, nutrition & related services details for Middle Tennessee State University

17

Eastern Kentucky University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best food, nutrition & related services schools. Located in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public university. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. Eastern Kentucky University awarded about 17 food, nutrition & related services degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the food, nutrition & related services program make about $43,891 in their early career. Eastern Kentucky University graduates carry a median of $25,122 in student loans. Get the full food, nutrition & related services details for Eastern Kentucky University

18

Central Carolina Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best food, nutrition & related services schools. Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Sanford. There were roughly 30 food, nutrition & related services students who graduated with this degree at Central Carolina Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the food, nutrition & related services program make about $38,198 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,266. Get the full food, nutrition & related services details for Central Carolina Community College

19
College Of The Albemarle crest
College Of The Albemarle
Elizabeth City, NC

College Of The Albemarle placed #19 among the best food, nutrition & related services schools. College Of The Albemarle is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Elizabeth City. There were roughly 18 food, nutrition & related services students who graduated with this degree at College Of The Albemarle in the most recent data year. Students who receive their food, nutrition & related services degree from College Of The Albemarle earn around $50,506 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,240. Read more about the food, nutrition & related services program at College Of The Albemarle

20
Winthrop University crest
Winthrop University
Rock Hill, SC

Winthrop University came in at #20 for food, nutrition & related services this year. Set in the city of Rock Hill, Winthrop University is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. Winthrop University awarded about 40 food, nutrition & related services degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, food, nutrition & related services degree recipients from Winthrop University generally make around $39,378. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full food, nutrition & related services program report for Winthrop University

21

Halifax Community College landed the #21 spot for food, nutrition & related services this year. Set in the rural area of Weldon, Halifax Community College is a small public institution. Halifax Community College awarded about 10 food, nutrition & related services degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the food, nutrition & related services program make about $70,982 in their early career. Read more about the food, nutrition & related services program at Halifax Community College

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 40 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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