by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Nutrition Sciences involves the study of Nutrition Sciences. A Scientific Program That Focuses On The Utilization Of Food For Human Growth And Metabolism, In Both Normal And Dysfunctional States, From The Interdisciplinary Perspective Of The Agricultural, Human, Biological, And Biomedical Sciences. Includes Instruction In Food Science, Biochemistry, Physiology, Dietetics, Food And Nutrition Studies, Biotechnology, Biophysics, And The Clinical Sciences. Continue reading for the key facts every nutrition sciences student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering nutrition sciences programs.
Across the country, nutrition sciences is a widely-pursued major, with 5,456 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Nutrition Sciences Schools ranking analyzes these 150 schools to determine the best overall colleges for nutrition sciences students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of nutrition sciences programs later in this article.
Studies in Nutrition Sciences develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations nutrition sciences graduates commonly enter.
Skills developed in a nutrition sciences program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a nutrition sciences major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several nutrition sciences 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 | 5 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 9 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 3,309 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,951 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 182 |
People currently working in careers related to nutrition sciences tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 34.2% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 20.7% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 13.7% |
| Doctoral degree | 13.5% |
| Post-doctoral training | 6.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 4.5% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.5% |
| Some college courses | 1.6% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 1.1% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.9% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.1% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in nutrition sciences careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in nutrition sciences prepares you for numerous career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to nutrition sciences.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to nutrition sciences.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | 3,155,854 | 1.4% |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,335,407 | 10.7% |
| Farm and Home Management Educators | 1,304,119 | 14.0% |
| Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,267,153 | 0.4% |
| Dietetic Technicians | 587,747 | 5.0% |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 276,211 | 6.3% |
| Geneticists | 183,832 | -1.1% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of nutrition sciences graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $37,311 |
| 4 years | $52,172 |
| 5 years | $59,138 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for nutrition sciences graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers nutrition sciences grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Water Resource Specialists | $179,716 |
| Dietetic Technicians | $137,981 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $132,227 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $125,305 |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | $110,931 |
| Molecular and Cellular Biologists | $100,077 |
| Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $99,604 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $97,541 |
With 150 different nutrition sciences programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased nutrition sciences school rankings to help you.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
