by our College Data Analytics TeamIn order to maintain a healthy lifestyle, it is important to have a well-rounded diet. Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services majors work with patients to oversee health and diet needs and help them reach goals.
This major involves classes in chemistry, physiology, nutrition, and biology to learn how to design nutrition plans and help ensure patients are receiving important nutrients. Professionals work in nursing homes, cafeterias, hospitals, schools, and offices where they can work closely with food and evaluate the nutritional needs of groups of people or individual patients.
Students interested in the Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services field often specialize in Clinical Nutrition, Dietetic Technician, Dietitian Assistant, or Bioethics/Medical Ethics.
A degree in Dietetics & Clinical Nutrition Services explores Dietetics And Clinical Nutrition Services. Continue reading for the essential details every dietetics & clinical nutrition services student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering dietetics & clinical nutrition services programs.
Across the country, dietetics & clinical nutrition services is a widely-pursued major, with 5,186 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Dietetics & Clinical Nutrition Services Schools ranking analyzes these 212 schools to determine the best overall colleges for dietetics & clinical nutrition services students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of dietetics & clinical nutrition services programs later in this article.
Programs in Dietetics & Clinical Nutrition Services build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations dietetics & clinical nutrition services graduates commonly enter.
Students in the Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services major typically have strong critical thinking and analytical skills. They must observe patients' nutritional needs and create dietary plans to help patients receive all the nutrition they need to stay healthy or reach a certain goal. Strong interpersonal and communication skills allow students to work closely with others to help them face dietary concerns.
A degree in this field usually leads to a fulltime job in a variety of locations. Some Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services majors work for medical services in hospitals, nursing homes, or clinics, while other professionals are self-employed. Self-employment allows you to work closely with individuals or smaller groups of people while setting your own hours.
In order to earn a degree in Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition, students must complete an internship. This experience gives you hands-on experience within the field under the supervision of a trained professional. Students must also be licensed before working in this career field.
Skills emphasized by a dietetics & clinical nutrition services program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a dietetics & clinical nutrition services major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several dietetics & clinical nutrition services degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 28 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 166 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 2,190 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 2,728 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 60 |
People currently working in careers related to dietetics & clinical nutrition services tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 45.2% |
| Master’s degree | 28.2% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 9.5% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 8.1% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 4.1% |
| Some college courses | 2.2% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 1.5% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 1.1% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in dietetics & clinical nutrition services careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Graduates work in many different locations where they deal with the dietary needs of others by planning meals, adding supplementary nutrition, and observing the effects of meal plans. Some graduates work in the cafeterias of schools, hospitals, and nursing homes, while other graduates have gone on to open their own practice.
Majoring in dietetics & clinical nutrition services can lead to many career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to dietetics & clinical nutrition services.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to dietetics & clinical nutrition services.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | 3,155,854 | 1.4% |
| Dietetic Technicians | 587,747 | 5.0% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of dietetics & clinical nutrition services graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $43,296 |
| 4 years | $49,100 |
| 5 years | $54,879 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for dietetics & clinical nutrition services graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers dietetics & clinical nutrition services grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Dietetic Technicians | $137,981 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $125,305 |
With 212 different dietetics & clinical nutrition services programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased dietetics & clinical nutrition services school rankings to help you.
Students interested in dietetics & clinical nutrition services, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Dietetics/Dietitian | 3,028 |
| Clinical Nutrition/Nutritionist | 919 |
| Dietitian Assistant | 615 |
| Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services, Other | 465 |
| Dietetic Technician | 159 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
