by our College Data Analytics Team
[Nutrition Science](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/nutrition-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong nutrition science education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 11 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value nutrition science schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the nutrition science degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in nutrition science, no school beat Pennsylvania State University World Campus this year. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,356 in tuition and fees. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes La Salle University one of the best values for nutrition science. La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,800. Nutrition Science graduates carry a median of $28,628 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nutrition science degree recipients from La Salle University generally make around $47,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Students looking for strong value in nutrition science will find it at Thomas Jefferson University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Thomas Jefferson University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $47,355. Typical student debt for nutrition science graduates is $32,256. Nutrition Science graduates of Thomas Jefferson University earn a median of $64,243 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $32,256 median debt. Thomas Jefferson University admits about 81% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earned it the #4 place for nutrition science. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,926, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,958 to complete the nutrition science program here. Soon after graduation, nutrition science degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $56,926. That is a strong return on a $24,958 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value nutrition science schools. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,644, with out-of-state students paying around $41,790. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. The acceptance rate is 61%.
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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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.