2026 Best Value Dietetics/Dietitian Schools in the Southeast Region
[Dietetics/Dietitian](/majors/health-care-professions/dietetics-clinical-nutrition-services/dietetics-dietitian/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong dietetics/dietitian education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 42 schools to find the best return on investment for dietetics/dietitian students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Dietetics/Dietitian Schools in the Southeast Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the dietetics/dietitian degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Dietetics/Dietitian Schools
University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among dietetics/dietitian schools in the Southeast Region. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $19,764 to complete the dietetics/dietitian program here. Soon after graduation, dietetics/dietitian degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $58,388. Set against $19,764 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Students looking for strong value in dietetics/dietitian will find it at Florida International University, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Typical student debt for dietetics/dietitian graduates is $12,499. Early-career dietetics/dietitian graduates make about $42,891. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Marshall University earned it the #3 place for dietetics/dietitian. Set in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,162, compared with $20,342 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dietetics/dietitian graduates is $23,250. Dietetics/dietitian graduates of Marshall University earn a median of $52,056 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Florida came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value dietetics/dietitian schools. Located in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,964, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dietetics/dietitian graduates is $18,369. Early-career dietetics/dietitian graduates make about $39,919. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Florida State University one of the best values for dietetics/dietitian. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Typical student debt for dietetics/dietitian graduates is $23,750. Dietetics/dietitian graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $29,158 early in their careers. Set against $23,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Murray State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value dietetics/dietitian schools. Located in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,900, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Typical student debt for dietetics/dietitian graduates is $23,420. Early-career dietetics/dietitian graduates make about $48,423. That is a strong return on a $23,420 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Louisiana Tech University came in at #7 for value in dietetics/dietitian this year. Set in the town of Ruston, Louisiana Tech University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,125 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,866. Dietetics/dietitian graduates carry a median of $23,846 in student loans. Early-career dietetics/dietitian graduates make about $58,929. Set against $23,846 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Nicholls State University earned the #8 position for value in dietetics/dietitian this year. Nicholls State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Thibodaux. Students from in state pay about $8,149 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,242. Dietetics/dietitian graduates carry a median of $24,513 in student loans. Dietetics/dietitian graduates of Nicholls State University earn a median of $43,888 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Nicholls State University admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value dietetics/dietitian schools. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,772 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,600. Dietetics/dietitian graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dietetics/dietitian degree recipients from University Of Mississippi Main Campus generally make around $22,275. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Western Carolina University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value dietetics/dietitian schools. Set in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,630, compared with $8,630 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,905 to complete the dietetics/dietitian program here. Soon after graduation, dietetics/dietitian degree recipients from Western Carolina University generally make around $17,970. That is a strong return on a $24,905 median debt. Western Carolina University admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Southern Mississippi earned the #11 position for value in dietetics/dietitian this year. Located in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,998, while out-of-state students pay about $11,998. Typical student debt for dietetics/dietitian graduates is $25,415. Soon after graduation, dietetics/dietitian degree recipients from University Of Southern Mississippi generally make around $52,338. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Winthrop University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value dietetics/dietitian schools. Set in the city of Rock Hill, Winthrop University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,678, while out-of-state students pay about $28,676. Students borrow a median of $27,040 to complete the dietetics/dietitian program here. Dietetics/dietitian graduates of Winthrop University earn a median of $50,271 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Winthrop University admits about 79% of applicants.
East Tennessee State University placed #13 among the best values for dietetics/dietitian. Set in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,216, with out-of-state students paying around $13,726. Students borrow a median of $21,301 to complete the dietetics/dietitian program here. Early-career dietetics/dietitian graduates make about $45,444. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. East Tennessee State University admits about 86% of applicants.
North Carolina Central University placed #14 among the best values for dietetics/dietitian. North Carolina Central University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Durham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,699, compared with $19,735 for out-of-state students. Dietetics/dietitian graduates carry a median of $31,173 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dietetics/dietitian degree recipients from North Carolina Central University generally make around $42,873. That is a strong return on a $31,173 median debt. North Carolina Central University admits about 87% of applicants.
Georgia State University placed #15 among the best values for dietetics/dietitian. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,664 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,840. Students borrow a median of $28,909 to complete the dietetics/dietitian program here. Soon after graduation, dietetics/dietitian degree recipients from Georgia State University generally make around $51,103. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Appalachian State University placed #16 among the best values for dietetics/dietitian. Appalachian State University is a very large public school located in the town of Boone. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,579, compared with $25,212 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dietetics/dietitian graduates is $25,025. Soon after graduation, dietetics/dietitian degree recipients from Appalachian State University generally make around $39,804. Set against $25,025 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
East Carolina University came in at #17 for value in dietetics/dietitian this year. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,361, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the dietetics/dietitian program here. Dietetics/dietitian graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $20,900 early in their careers. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Kentucky earned the #18 position for value in dietetics/dietitian this year. Located in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,502, with out-of-state students paying around $34,140. Students borrow a median of $24,094 to complete the dietetics/dietitian program here. Soon after graduation, dietetics/dietitian degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $49,568. Set against $24,094 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of Central Arkansas landed the #19 spot for dietetics/dietitian value this year. Located in the city of Conway, University Of Central Arkansas is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,523 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,023. Dietetics/dietitian graduates carry a median of $22,920 in student loans. Dietetics/dietitian graduates of University Of Central Arkansas earn a median of $43,187 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,920 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arkansas placed #20 among the best values for dietetics/dietitian. University Of Arkansas is a very large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, compared with $29,966 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dietetics/dietitian graduates is $24,019. Soon after graduation, dietetics/dietitian degree recipients from University Of Arkansas generally make around $52,555. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Arkansas admits about 74% of applicants.
Meredith College came in at #21 for value in dietetics/dietitian this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, Meredith College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,630. Dietetics/dietitian graduates carry a median of $26,618 in student loans. Dietetics/dietitian graduates of Meredith College earn a median of $43,620 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University landed the #22 spot for dietetics/dietitian value this year. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. In-state tuition and fees average $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Dietetics/dietitian graduates carry a median of $23,393 in student loans. Early-career dietetics/dietitian graduates make about $60,004. Set against $23,393 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University admits about 55% of applicants.
Lenoir Rhyne University came in at #23 for value in dietetics/dietitian this year. Set in the city of Hickory, Lenoir Rhyne University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,900. Students borrow a median of $26,900 to complete the dietetics/dietitian program here. Early-career dietetics/dietitian graduates make about $49,985. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Samford University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value dietetics/dietitian schools. Set in the suburb of Birmingham, Samford University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,150. Typical student debt for dietetics/dietitian graduates is $21,039. Dietetics/dietitian graduates of Samford University earn a median of $64,132 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Keiser University Ft Lauderdale earned the #25 position for value in dietetics/dietitian this year. Set in the city of Fort Lauderdale, Keiser University Ft Lauderdale is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,056. Students borrow a median of $52,000 to complete the dietetics/dietitian program here. Soon after graduation, dietetics/dietitian degree recipients from Keiser University Ft Lauderdale generally make around $50,669. That is a strong return on a $52,000 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 42 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 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.
