by our College Data Analytics TeamFood Science was the 305th most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 1,812 degrees in this year alone. This is approximately the same as the 1,815 graduates the prior year.
Our 2023 Best Food Science Schools ranking analyzes 40 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for food science students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of food sciences programs later in this article.
One of the most important skills you will need for a career in food science is understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents. Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times and communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience are all required skills for careers related to this major.
New students will need to have completed high school or a GED program and each school will have their own minimum GPA and SAT/ACT test requirements. In addition to these basic food science program qualifications, to serve in some food sciences careers, special certification may be required outside of your degree.
There are various different levels of food sciences degrees. You can get anything from a in food science to the highest food sciences degree, a . How long it takes to complete some common food sciences degree levels is shown below.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to food sciences, with approximately 35.3% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to food sciences tend obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 37.9% |
| Doctoral Degree | 30.5% |
| Master’s Degree | 17.0% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 12.9% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 2.1% |
About 62.1% of workers in careers related to food sciences obtain at least master's degrees. See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in food science have received.
The education level required is different depending on the food sciences career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your food sciences degree? Food Science careers are expected to grow 6.8% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to food science.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Food Scientists and Technologists | 18,000 | 5.9% |
| Agricultural Sciences Professors | 13,600 | 7.9% |
As you might expect, salaries for food sciences graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for food science graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers food sciences grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Agricultural Sciences Professors | $90,890 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $72,570 |
With over 171 different food sciences degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased food sciences school rankings to help you with this.
One of 4 majors within the Food Science Technology area of study, Food Science has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Food Science & Technology, Other | 181 |
| Food Technology & Processing | 95 |
| Brewing Science | 80 |
| Zymology/Fermentation Science | 46 |
Image Credit: By Muhammad Irshad Ansari under License More about our data sources and methodologies.
