2026 Best Value Nutrition Science Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Nutrition Science](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/nutrition-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 31 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value nutrition science schools.
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2026 Best Value Nutrition Science Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in nutrition science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Nutrition Science Schools
For return on investment in nutrition science, no school beat Montclair State University this year. Montclair State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Montclair. In-state tuition and fees average $15,912, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. Students borrow a median of $25,286 to complete the nutrition science program here. Soon after graduation, nutrition science degree recipients from Montclair State University generally make around $44,369. Set against $25,286 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Queens College one of the best values for nutrition science. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Students borrow a median of $12,157 to complete the nutrition science program here. Nutrition Science graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $41,847 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Columbia University In The City Of New York one of the best values for nutrition science. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Typical student debt for nutrition science graduates is $23,258. Soon after graduation, nutrition science degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $48,153. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in nutrition science will find it at Farmingdale State College, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Farmingdale, Farmingdale State College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,626 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,536. Typical student debt for nutrition science graduates is $19,528. Soon after graduation, nutrition science degree recipients from Farmingdale State College generally make around $50,374. That is a strong return on a $19,528 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University At Buffalo earned it the #5 place for nutrition science. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,936, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. Typical student debt for nutrition science graduates is $22,232. Soon after graduation, nutrition science degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $52,403. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus landed the #6 spot for nutrition science value this year. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,356. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
La Salle University landed the #7 spot for nutrition science value this year. La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. In-state tuition and fees average $37,800. Students borrow a median of $28,628 to complete the nutrition science program here. Early-career nutrition science graduates make about $47,470. Set against $28,628 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
The Sage Colleges placed #8 among the best values for nutrition science. Located in the city of Troy, The Sage Colleges is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $38,164. Nutrition Science graduates carry a median of $26,702 in student loans. Early-career nutrition science graduates make about $62,012. That is a strong return on a $26,702 median debt. The acceptance rate is 53%.
Rutgers University New Brunswick ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value nutrition science schools. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,929, while out-of-state students pay about $37,441. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the nutrition science program here. Nutrition Science graduates of Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of $20,764 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Long Island University C W Post Campus landed the #10 spot for nutrition science value this year. Set in the suburb of Brookville, Long Island University C W Post Campus is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,432. Students borrow a median of $25,211 to complete the nutrition science program here. Nutrition Science graduates of Long Island University C W Post Campus earn a median of $61,547 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,211 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Thomas Jefferson University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value nutrition science schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Thomas Jefferson University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,355. Typical student debt for nutrition science graduates is $32,256. Early-career nutrition science graduates make about $64,243. That is a strong return on a $32,256 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earned the #12 position for value in nutrition science this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $21,926 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Typical student debt for nutrition science graduates is $24,958. Early-career nutrition science graduates make about $56,926. That is a strong return on a $24,958 median debt. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus admits about 58% of applicants.
Pace University New York landed the #13 spot for nutrition science value this year. Pace University New York is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $53,510. Nutrition Science graduates carry a median of $25,670 in student loans. Early-career nutrition science graduates make about $59,662. Set against $25,670 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pace University New York admits about 76% of applicants.
Cornell University landed the #14 spot for nutrition science value this year. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,314. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the nutrition science program here. Early-career nutrition science graduates make about $30,508. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus landed the #15 spot for nutrition science value this year. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,644, with out-of-state students paying around $41,790. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
New York University came in at #16 for value in nutrition science this year. New York University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,796. Nutrition Science graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Nutrition Science graduates of New York University earn a median of $44,804 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. New York University admits about 9% of applicants.
Howard University earned the #17 position for value in nutrition science this year. Howard University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,810. Nutrition Science graduates carry a median of $25,498 in student loans. Nutrition Science graduates of Howard University earn a median of $58,495 early in their careers. Set against $25,498 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 41% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
