2026 Best Value Nutrition Science Schools in California

1

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

California State University Los Angeles earned the #1 spot for value among nutrition science schools in California. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Nutrition Science graduates carry a median of $14,493 in student loans. Early-career nutrition science graduates make about $31,096. Set against $14,493 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

2

California State University San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA

A rank of #2 makes California State University San Bernardino one of the best values for nutrition science. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Students borrow a median of $15,149 to complete the nutrition science program here. Nutrition Science graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $42,421 early in their careers. Set against $15,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.

3

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

A rank of #3 makes California State University Fresno one of the best values for nutrition science. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Typical student debt for nutrition science graduates is $11,375. Nutrition Science graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $23,211 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,375 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.

4

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Northridge earned it the #4 place for nutrition science. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Nutrition Science graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nutrition science degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $48,437. Set against $16,202 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.

5

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value nutrition science schools. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Typical student debt for nutrition science graduates is $15,671. Nutrition Science graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $50,982 early in their careers. Set against $15,671 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.

6

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value nutrition science schools. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Students borrow a median of $17,492 to complete the nutrition science program here. Nutrition Science graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $49,907 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.

7

California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Pomona, CA

California State Polytechnic University Pomona ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value nutrition science schools. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,781, compared with $20,381 for out-of-state students. Nutrition Science graduates carry a median of $17,250 in student loans. Nutrition Science graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $34,384 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,250 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

8

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University placed #8 among the best values for nutrition science. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,846, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. Nutrition Science graduates carry a median of $17,137 in student loans. Early-career nutrition science graduates make about $30,620. That is a strong return on a $17,137 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

9

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University came in at #9 for value in nutrition science this year. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 85%.

10

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley placed #10 among the best values for nutrition science. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,182 to complete the nutrition science program here. Soon after graduation, nutrition science degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $35,161. Set against $16,182 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.

11

California State University Chico
Chico, CA

California State University Chico came in at #11 for value in nutrition science this year. Set in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,472 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,072 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nutrition science graduates is $19,272. Nutrition Science graduates of California State University Chico earn a median of $25,490 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

12

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis came in at #12 for value in nutrition science this year. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Nutrition Science graduates carry a median of $14,166 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nutrition science degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $34,512. Set against $14,166 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.

13

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo landed the #13 spot for nutrition science value this year. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,161, while out-of-state students pay about $33,230. Students borrow a median of $17,620 to complete the nutrition science program here. Soon after graduation, nutrition science degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $22,675. That is a strong return on a $17,620 median debt. The acceptance rate is 31%.

14

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University placed #14 among the best values for nutrition science. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,728, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. Typical student debt for nutrition science graduates is $18,000. Early-career nutrition science graduates make about $34,878. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.

15

California Baptist University
Riverside, CA

California Baptist University earned the #15 position for value in nutrition science this year. Set in the city of Riverside, California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $41,228. Typical student debt for nutrition science graduates is $28,169. Soon after graduation, nutrition science degree recipients from California Baptist University generally make around $51,999. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.

16

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value nutrition science schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,647. Typical student debt for nutrition science graduates is $15,625. Nutrition Science graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $75,677 early in their careers. Set against $15,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.

17

National Holistic Institute
Emeryville, CA

National Holistic Institute ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value nutrition science schools. Located in the suburb of Emeryville, National Holistic Institute is a mid-sized private for-profit university. Typical student debt for nutrition science graduates is $9,500. Soon after graduation, nutrition science degree recipients from National Holistic Institute generally make around $18,613. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.

18

Pepperdine University
Malibu, CA

Pepperdine University placed #18 among the best values for nutrition science. Pepperdine University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Malibu. In-state tuition and fees average $69,918. Typical student debt for nutrition science graduates is $23,645. Nutrition Science graduates of Pepperdine University earn a median of $57,582 early in their careers. Set against $23,645 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.