2026 Best Value Dietetics & Clinical Nutrition Services Schools in the Southeast Region
[Dietetics & Clinical Nutrition Services](/majors/health-care-professions/dietetics-clinical-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 50 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for dietetics & clinical nutrition services students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Dietetics & Clinical Nutrition Services Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in dietetics & clinical nutrition services, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Dietetics & Clinical Nutrition Services Schools
University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among dietetics & clinical nutrition services schools in the Southeast Region. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Dietetics & Clinical Nutrition Services graduates carry a median of $19,764 in student loans. Early-career dietetics & clinical nutrition services graduates make about $58,388. Set against $19,764 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Florida International University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in dietetics & clinical nutrition services, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Dietetics & Clinical Nutrition Services graduates carry a median of $12,499 in student loans. Early-career dietetics & clinical nutrition services graduates make about $42,891. That is a strong return on a $12,499 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Marshall University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in dietetics & clinical nutrition services, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,162 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Dietetics & Clinical Nutrition Services graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Early-career dietetics & clinical nutrition services graduates make about $52,056. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of North Florida came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value dietetics & clinical nutrition services 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, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. Dietetics & Clinical Nutrition Services graduates carry a median of $18,369 in student loans. Early-career dietetics & clinical nutrition services graduates make about $39,919. Set against $18,369 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in dietetics & clinical nutrition services will find it at Florida State University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Dietetics & Clinical Nutrition Services graduates carry a median of $23,750 in student loans. Early-career dietetics & clinical nutrition services graduates make about $29,158. That is a strong return on a $23,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Murray State University came in at #6 for value in dietetics & clinical nutrition services this year. Located in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,900, with out-of-state students paying around $19,836. Typical student debt for dietetics & clinical nutrition services graduates is $23,420. Dietetics & Clinical Nutrition Services graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $48,423 early in their careers. Set against $23,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Louisiana Tech University landed the #7 spot for dietetics & clinical nutrition services value this year. Located in the town of Ruston, Louisiana Tech University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,125, with out-of-state students paying around $16,866. Typical student debt for dietetics & clinical nutrition services graduates is $23,846. Dietetics & Clinical Nutrition Services graduates of Louisiana Tech University earn a median of $58,929 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Louisiana Tech University admits about 86% of applicants.
Nicholls State University placed #8 among the best values for dietetics & clinical nutrition services. Nicholls State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Thibodaux. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,149, with out-of-state students paying around $9,242. Students borrow a median of $24,513 to complete the dietetics & clinical nutrition services program here. Early-career dietetics & clinical nutrition services graduates make about $43,888. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus placed #9 among the best values for dietetics & clinical nutrition services. Located in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,772 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the dietetics & clinical nutrition services program here. Dietetics & Clinical Nutrition Services graduates of University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn a median of $22,275 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Western Carolina University came in at #10 for value in dietetics & clinical nutrition services this year. Located in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,630, compared with $8,630 for out-of-state students. Dietetics & Clinical Nutrition Services graduates carry a median of $24,905 in student loans. Dietetics & Clinical Nutrition Services graduates of Western Carolina University earn a median of $17,970 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,905 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Elizabethton earned the #11 position for value in dietetics & clinical nutrition services this year. Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Elizabethton is a small public school located in the suburb of Elizabethton. Typical student debt for dietetics & clinical nutrition services graduates is $9,562. Soon after graduation, dietetics & clinical nutrition services degree recipients from Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Elizabethton generally make around $31,280. Set against $9,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Southern Mississippi landed the #12 spot for dietetics & clinical nutrition services value this year. University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public school located in the city of Hattiesburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,998, while out-of-state students pay about $11,998. Students borrow a median of $25,415 to complete the dietetics & clinical nutrition services program here. Dietetics & Clinical Nutrition Services graduates of University Of Southern Mississippi earn a median of $52,338 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Lindsey Hopkins Technical College earned the #13 position for value in dietetics & clinical nutrition services this year. Lindsey Hopkins Technical College is a small public school located in the city of Miami. Graduates go on to earn a median of $34,107 ten years after entry.
Winthrop University earned the #14 position for value in dietetics & clinical nutrition services this year. Winthrop University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rock Hill. In-state tuition and fees average $14,678, with out-of-state students paying around $28,676. Dietetics & Clinical Nutrition Services graduates carry a median of $27,040 in student loans. Dietetics & Clinical Nutrition Services graduates of Winthrop University earn a median of $50,271 early in their careers. Set against $27,040 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
East Tennessee State University placed #15 among the best values for dietetics & clinical nutrition services. Located in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,216, while out-of-state students pay about $13,726. Dietetics & Clinical Nutrition Services graduates carry a median of $21,301 in student loans. Dietetics & Clinical Nutrition Services graduates of East Tennessee State University earn a median of $45,444 early in their careers. Set against $21,301 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Tennessee State University admits about 86% of applicants.
North Carolina Central University earned the #16 position for value in dietetics & clinical nutrition services this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $19,735. Students borrow a median of $31,173 to complete the dietetics & clinical nutrition services program here. Early-career dietetics & clinical nutrition services graduates make about $42,873. That is a strong return on a $31,173 median debt. North Carolina Central University admits about 87% of applicants.
East Carolina University came in at #17 for value in dietetics & clinical nutrition services this year. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. In-state tuition and fees average $7,361, while out-of-state students pay about $23,638. Typical student debt for dietetics & clinical nutrition services graduates is $21,000. Soon after graduation, dietetics & clinical nutrition services degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $20,900. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Appalachian State University placed #18 among the best values for dietetics & clinical nutrition services. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $25,212. Students borrow a median of $25,025 to complete the dietetics & clinical nutrition services program here. Soon after graduation, dietetics & clinical nutrition services degree recipients from Appalachian State University generally make around $39,804. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia State University came in at #19 for value in dietetics & clinical nutrition services this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,664, compared with $24,840 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dietetics & clinical nutrition services graduates is $28,909. Dietetics & Clinical Nutrition Services graduates of Georgia State University earn a median of $51,103 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kentucky landed the #20 spot for dietetics & clinical nutrition services value this year. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,502, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. Students borrow a median of $24,094 to complete the dietetics & clinical nutrition services program here. Early-career dietetics & clinical nutrition services graduates make about $49,568. That is a strong return on a $24,094 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Arkansas placed #21 among the best values for dietetics & clinical nutrition services. 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. Typical student debt for dietetics & clinical nutrition services graduates is $22,920. Dietetics & Clinical Nutrition Services 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. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Arkansas landed the #22 spot for dietetics & clinical nutrition services value this year. Located in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $29,966. Typical student debt for dietetics & clinical nutrition services graduates is $24,019. Soon after graduation, dietetics & clinical nutrition services degree recipients from University Of Arkansas generally make around $52,555. Set against $24,019 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Arkansas admits about 74% of applicants.
University Of Alabama At Birmingham placed #23 among the best values for dietetics & clinical nutrition services. Set in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,098, while out-of-state students pay about $22,562. Dietetics & Clinical Nutrition Services graduates carry a median of $26,162 in student loans. Early-career dietetics & clinical nutrition services graduates make about $50,382. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Meredith College earned the #24 position for value in dietetics & clinical nutrition 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. Dietetics & Clinical Nutrition Services graduates carry a median of $26,618 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dietetics & clinical nutrition services degree recipients from Meredith College generally make around $43,620. That is a strong return on a $26,618 median debt. Meredith College admits about 74% of applicants.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value dietetics & clinical nutrition services schools. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,948, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. Students borrow a median of $23,393 to complete the dietetics & clinical nutrition services program here. Early-career dietetics & clinical nutrition services graduates make about $60,004. Set against $23,393 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 28 Best Value Dietetics & Clinical Nutrition Services Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in dietetics & clinical nutrition services:
Narrow Dietetics & Clinical Nutrition Services Schools by State
More Dietetics & Clinical Nutrition Services Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 50 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 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.
